InfoTouch HOW-TO

How to Fix Database Errors

Periodically you may encounter an error 5,2 or similar message that includes the name of the database. Example: error 5,2 in INV.DB. What this means is that the database indexing system is damaged and needs to be repaired. We use a tool called BUTIL.EXE along with its companion batch file, BUFIX.BAT to fix these problems. Both are available in the utilities area (see below). When you get one of these errors, make note of the name of the database. Then to fix it, do the following:

  1. Get to a DOS prompt in the \TNS directory.
  2. Type the following: BUFIX <XXX> where <XXX> represents the name of the database to fix, without the DB extension. Example: BUFIX INV to fix the INV.DB database.
  3. WATCH the messages that appear on the screen VERY CAREFULLY. If you see a message that says "ERROR READING VARIABLE PAGE" then your database needs more help than the Bufix/Butil solution can provide and you need to call us before you continue.

How to Delete an Employee

This is a multi-step process that requires using the employee end-of-year closeout, which is actually found in the employee module beneath the COMPENSATE EMPLOYEES button. Deletion is permanent, and cannot be done in mid-year. It can only be done after the close of one year and the start of a new one.

  1. Start the employee module.
  2. Select TERMINATE EMPLOYEES, then proceed to select the desired employee and press F-10 to "terminate" him/her. Exit back to the main employee menu.
  3. Select COMPENSATE EMPLOYES, then select NEXT YEAR. You will be asked whether to "close" a certain calendar year. Answer YES. During the close process, "terminated" employees will be deleted.
  4. Note that if you have never "closed" a year using the employee module, you may have to close several back-years before you get to the most currently completed one, which will then delete the desired employee(s).

How to change the DATE on a computer

Windows users: double-click on the TIME that appears in the taskbar. Then use the features that appear on the screen to change the date and/or time.

DOS users: Get to a DOS prompt. Type the word DATE and press ENTER. Type the date in the format displayed on the screen andn press ENTER. You can also type the word TIME and press ENTER to change the time.

There's a possibility that the above methods won't work after the computer has been powered off and then on again. If this is the case, then you need to change the date and/or time in the CMOS setting of the computer:

  1. As the computer is powered on, look for a message somewhere on the screen that says something like "press DEL for setup" or "press F1 for setup." When the message is displayed, press the appropriate key on the keyboard. (You may have to be quick as the message is typically only displayed for a few seconds.) Soon you'll see the CMOS setup screen, which is often blue.
  2. The date and time is normally in the first area you can choose, often called something like "general" setup. You generally move from place to place by pressing the UP/DOWN arrow keys followed by ENTER. There should be some on-screen instructions for changing the date and time.
  3. Usually the ESC key on the keyboard will "escape" from a setup screen back to the main setup screen, where one of the choices is usually something like "save settings and exit." Choose that one to make the changes permanent.

InfoTouch Handy Utilities

Click on the above link to view the list of utilities we use to fix things that go bump in the night. On many of the items, step-by-step information on using some of the utilities is included. If there's no help, don't use the utility without talking to us first!

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