How to Reinstall Best Consignment Software with Your Data
Before proceeding, make a
backup copy of your current data files. There are several ways to backup data.
Please press F1 in BCSS to open the User’s Guide. Scroll down on the left to
Administration and click on Data Backup. Make sure you look at Data Backup (not
Data Restore).
The following are detailed
instructions for reinstalling BCSS with your data intact. If you would like for
customer support to log into your computer and perform this operation for you,
please go to http://www.bestconsignmentshopsoftware.com/bcss-order.htm,
place the number 1 in the box to the right of Phone Support and press the Blue
Order Button to remit $29, or use the PayPal option.
This update will modify the
FoxPro database which houses your data. It will not be possible to restore a
data set prior to the data included in this installation.
Please click on this link:
<Place the link here that
was provided by tech support.>
What happens next depends
upon the browser. These instructions are for Internet Explorer:
DO NOT choose ‘Run’ on the
ensuing screen. (Always save installation files to the computer then run them.)
Choose ‘Save’ and save the
file on your computer where you can find it.
What happens next depends
upon the browser and Windows. Generally it is necessary to navigate to (find)
the location on the computer where the file is to be saved, which is why the
Desktop is the most frequent choice – because the Desktop can be the easiest
location to find.
It is possible that your
anti-virus program or browser may block the download. An easy solution is to
dump the anti-virus program (most of which are inadequate anyway, including
Kaspersky, Norton and McAfee) and replace it with a better FREE program:
(Microsoft Security Essentials, http://www.microsoft.com/nz/digitallife/security/microsoft-security-essentials.mspx).
Other options are to make settings in the anti-virus program or security
settings in the browser to allow the download, and/or avoid using Internet
Explorer 9.
Most likely Windows will have
blocked the file (attempting to protect the computer). After the download
completes, right click on the file, select Properties and click on ‘Unblock’
then ‘Apply’.
On the same Properties
Window, click on the Compatibility tab…
Then click on ‘Change
settings for all users’.
Check the box next to ‘Run this
program as an administrator’…
Click Apply and OK.
It may be necessary to repeat
the above step on the next screen if the box named ‘Run this program as an
administrator’ is not checked. If it is checked and grayed out…
…the setting is complete. If
it is unchecked and grayed out, you’re probably using Windows Vista and can
ignore this for now.
Click ‘Apply’ then click OK
and OK again to close the Properties window.
Click on the file (that was
downloaded) to run the installation.
If a screen first appears
asking if you are sure you want to run the software, click ‘Run’.
On the next screen, leave the
option checked ‘Uninstall BCSS *** Edition (where *** is the name of the BCSS
edition - Intro, Deluxe, Diamond or Virtual).
Click Next then click Next
again. BCSS will be uninstalled. When prompted, click Finish.
Reboot the computer and return to these instructions.
Next, RIGHT click on the same
file again
Choose to run as
administrator.
Follow the prompts to
complete the installation. Reboot only if the computer asks if you want to
reboot.
On the Desktop, right click
on the icon named ‘Run BCSS’ (not BCSS Help)
Select Properties (at the
bottom of the list).
The next screen may already
be opened to the ‘Shortcut Window’. If it is not, click on Shortcut at the top
of the Properties Screen.
Click on Advanced.
Check ‘Run as administrator’
and click OK.
On the same Properties
Window, click on the Compatibility tab
Then click on ‘Change
settings for all users’.
Check the box next to ‘Run
this program as an administrator’.
Click ‘Apply’ then click OK
and OK again to close the Properties window. (If the box was already checked,
click OK to close the Properties Screen. If the box can’t be checked, close the
window.)
Run BCSS by clicking or
double clicking on the ‘BCSS-Run’ Desktop Icon.
If the Registration Screen
appears advising that an Unlock Code is needed, copy/paste the Serial Number in
a reply to this email. (Don’t read and type the Serial Number. Errors delay the
time it takes to make the software operational again.) In the meantime, click
on Run Demo to see if that will close the Registration Screen and allow access
to the program.
If BCSS can be started, data
should appear and the issue should be gone. If it is not, please do the
following:
1.
Press Send Data
(upper right corner in BCSS) and wait for the files to upload. A message
must appear confirming that 69 files have been uploaded. If the upload fails,
contact your ISP to report it and refer to the instructions below for
alternative ways to send data to tech support.
2.
After files have
been sent to tech support, send an email to zipfiles@mm.st
along with your name, shop name, email address (for returning your files to
you) and a detailed description of the situation including the entire error
message if any and actions taken that produce the error. (What were you
attempting to do when the error appeared?)
If there is a problem with
the BCSS program code, tech support will fix it and send instructions for
implementing the fix free of charge. If the problem is data file corruption,
tech support will fix that and return your data files to you ($29 charge – See
explanation below).
SEND
DATA TO SUPPORT
The program cannot be used once data files have been sent to support, so send files after the close of business on the day before the shop will be closed. If the shop is open every day, send the files after the close of business prior to the least busy day.
The easiest way to send data to tech support is to press Send Data (upper right corner in BCSS). A confirmation message must appear confirming 69 files uploaded. (Any other number of files would be an incomplete upload.) When the upload is complete, send an email to zipfiles@mm.st along with your name, shop name, error messages (if any) and details about the issue, including actions taken that produce the issue and any records involved. Please be specific.
This method will not work reliably with a wireless, dialup, satellite or other form of slow Internet service. If you have DSL or better and the upload times out, contact the ISP and ask why they are not allowing the upload.
The most common causes of delays are:
1. Incomplete data files: After pressing the Send-Data Button, be sure to wait for a message confirming that all 69 data files have been uploaded. If ‘Connection failed’ appears, tell your ISP that files cannot be uploaded using their service and insist that they fix it. (This is not a failing of BCSS.)
2. Lack of details about the issue(s): After uploading or sending data files to tech support, send an email to zipfiles@mm.st and include your name, shop name, error messages (if any) and specifics about what actions are taken that produce the difficulty.
If the Send-Data Upload Fails…
Make a backup of the data files. Zip the data backup folder. (See Windows Help for ‘compressed files’.)
Send the zipped folder to zipfiles@mm.st along with your name, shop name, error messages (if any) and details about the issue, including actions taken that produce the issue and any records involved. Please be specific.
No Internet Connection at the Shop
Make a backup of the data files, zip the folder and save it to a flash drive. Take the flash drive to a computer with an Internet connection and attach the zipped file to an email to zipfiles@mm.st along with your name, shop name, error messages (if any) and details about the issue, including actions taken that produce the issue and any records involved. Please be specific.
Email Fails
Some email services (especially free ones like Yahoo, MSN, AOL, Gmail) won’t allow transmission of relatively small files (less than 2 MB). Other email services won’t allow the sending of larger files (20-30MB). Go to yousendit.com (or any similar free service for transferring large files) and use the free service to send an email to zipfiles@mm.st along with your name, shop name, error messages (if any) and details about the issue, including actions taken that produce the issue and any records involved. Please be specific.
Email Files to Yourself
Make a backup of the data files and zip the backup folder. Email the zip file to your email address. Keep in mind that free email services (like Yahoo, MSN, AOL, Gmail) may block the sending or receiving of any attachment.
Another way is to create a backup of the data files on a flash drive and take that to another computer for import into BCSS. (See below.)
Restoring Data from an Email Attachment
Open the email with the zip-file attachment. Follow the email program’s procedures for downloading and saving the zip file to the Desktop. Right click on the zip file and choose ‘Extract All’. Accept the default location (on the Desktop, in a new folder by the same name as the zip file name) suggested for the extraction. Open BCSS. Select Restore Database under Utilities (upper right corner in BCSS) and locate the extracted files. Select that folder and click Save.
Restoring Data from a Flash Drive (Pen Drive, Thumb Drive, USB Stick)
Plug the flash drive into the remote computer. Close any screens that may pop up. Open BCSS. Select Restore Database under Utilities (upper right corner in BCSS) and locate the extracted-files folder. Select the folder and click Save.
$29
For Service
We repair problems with the
BCSS source code (bug fixes) free of charge. When a repair is made, we
produce a new ‘BCSS Application File’ (named BCSS.exe) and deliver that to you
with instructions for dropping it in the BCSS Program Folder.
We do not provide free repair
and instructions for all else (including Microsoft’s FoxPro Database (which
houses your data), Windows, networking, hardware and other programs) nor do we
provide assistance in learning how to use other programs (like Windows) beyond
written documentation.
BCSS is a stand-alone
program. The FoxPro Database is a separate software program which is installed
along with BCSS (for your convenience). It is provided by Microsoft. There are
many things that cause data-file corruptions. (See http://www.bestconsignmentshopsoftware.com/maintain.htm.)
Problems with the FoxPro
Database and problems caused by other factors can and do interfere with proper
BCSS function. While we are not responsible for supporting Windows and other
programs we do offer to help because contacting us is convenient and almost
always a sure way to resolve issues cheaply without having a $100+/hour
technician come to the shop or to have your computer taken to a repairman.
When you require our
assistance with non-BCSS issues, please go to http://www.bestconsignmentshopsoftware.com/bcss-order.htm
and enter 29 (without a dollar sign) in the field named 'Enter an Amount' and
press the Blue Order Button to continue, or use the PayPal option. Make checks
payable to: Net Money Business, PO Box 713, Brighton, TN 38011. The amount of
time spent on the issue(s) will be billed at $29/30 minutes.
For phone and remote PC
support, please contact:
Joy Archer, enJoy Consigning
Services, 972-898-7921 EST, enjoybundles@gmail.com
($25/30 minutes)
David Squires, CMX Solutions,
800-448-1436 EST, david@cmxsolutions.biz, cmxsolutions.biz/bcss
($25/30 minutes)
New Zealand, Australia and SE
Asia: Murray White, SBARC, 64-9-372 9749, cell: 021-956 460, murray@sbarc.co.nz
HOW
DO I DETERMINE IF THE ISSUE IS BCSS-RELATED?
We will provide a free
diagnosis and determine the cause of the problem then give you the option of
enlisting our help.
The easiest way to send data
to tech support is to press Send Data (upper right corner in BCSS). A
confirmation message must appear confirming 69 files uploaded. (Any other
number of files would be an incomplete upload.) When the upload is complete,
send an email to zipfiles@mm.st along with
your name, shop name, error messages (if any) and details about the issue,
including actions taken that produce the issue and any records involved. (Which
consignor? Which item? Which sale?) Please be specific.
The program cannot be used
once data files have been sent to support, so send files after the close of
business on the day before the shop will be closed. If the shop is open every
day, send the files after the close of business prior to the least busy day. If
the program is unusable of course send the files right away.
THE
SEND-DATA BUTTON DOESN’T WORK
The Send-Data Button will not
work reliably with a wireless, dialup, satellite or other form of slow Internet
service. If you have DSL or better and the upload times out, contact the ISP
and ask why they are not allowing the upload. (BCSS doesn’t have anything to do
with the Internet connection.)
If the Send-Data upload
fails, see the instructions above for zipping your data folder and sending it
to tech support.
Best Software Support