ALAN testing nightmare........................!

[matt40k]

I created two new users,

 

one with administrator rights, when it logs on it runs the install

 

the other is exams (password exams) which has 1 new (and only 1) gp applied which only done:

 

> load custom gui application: the administrator.exe program thing they use to do the test

 

> proxy server

 

> disabled task manager, change password

 

> Set c:\program files\whatever it's called with full control

 

 

Worked a treat, only installed it on 30 new machines. Only people we had was the students wasn't treating it as a test. The fact straight after the test you can submit it and find out the results helped. We split the two tests in two so they at least tried ALOT harder on the second. We then offered free resets to a large number of students. Anyone who just missed it by a few marks or pass one but failed the other. Otherwise we charged.

[broc]

We have had nothing but trouble with this software since it was refreshed last July followed by our summer holiday WSUS updates.

 

I have given up trying to figure out why the tests appear to work at random even using an account with local admin rights on the client PCs. It crashes, or the tests fail to display properly. you cannot test the problem without scheduling a proper 'test'.

 

I am in the process or re-imaging all of our PCs in our library to try and fix it, if successful I have another 4x ICT suites with 30 PCs to repeat the exercise.

 

In any case, is it is only the bean-counters at school who see any benefit; the qualification (if you can call it that) is not accepted by some local further education establishments, we have had students rejected for failing to meet their entry qualifications even though they do so in theory with ALAN passes.

 

Nevertheless, it is my topmost 'top' priority from SMT to resolve

[Kyle]

We have 30 test planned for tomorrow. I had to re-install the software onthe server as the july update borked it up. Luckily we had just re-iamged all the pc's we use for Alan test so it was a matter of just installing the admin software on them.

 

I'll let you know how we get on,

[Gatt]

Trying to get this setup here

Server was already done - jsut needed to be added to new Domain

 

But..

 

When i try to install the "Administrator" (\\server\esm_share\updates\admsetup.exe) it tells me that that file cannot be used for a full installation?

[Linfit]

We had this problem. The setup file on the server is an upgrade only, and needs the older version of the administrator software on the workstation.

 

I found the full installer on the Promissor web site, but this has now been re-jigged and combined with the PearsonVUE site, and the username and password for my server does not appear to work on the new site as it did on the old one. Best bet might be to contact the Edexcel support people; if you can get through I have found them helpful: 0844 576 0024 - Select option 1

 

Of course, on the 12 identical brand new workstations on which we run the tests, it is pure pot luck which ones work and which ones don't - all have admin rights, all logged on with same user name, all have same software base but at least one will randomly not display the graphics every time we run a test.

 

One of the worst pieces of software I have ever come across.

Edited October 13, 2008 by Linfit

[Gatt]

Thanks - will call them tomorrow then!

[Kyle]

When i try to install the "Administrator" (\\server\esm_share\updates\admsetup.exe) it tells me that that file cannot be used for a full installation?

 

I also had this as well. I phoned them up and they got me to reinstall all the software again onto the server. YES i had to completely wipe the old version has it had not been upgraded correctly. I was given the wrong instructions apparently from edexcel and should have gone to the Promissor site for the download.........!!

 

But i have had 60 kids last week sit exams in batches of 2x 30 and not had any problems and all tests up loaded fine after i had took out the no shows. The uploads were a little slow son I phoned up their tech support and they admitted to me that they had had a few problems there end that day....................!!! At least the guy was honest and did not try to fob me off.