Abacus Evolve $%^**(&()**) and some other rude words

[Ramsel]

We had a good laugh reading the manual for AE IP, noting "Must not be installed on a critical server, for example one running SIMS".

 

 

Anyway I've been handed the full suite of this software. The resources are no problem, each being shipped with their own MSI so it's just IP and ITR to give me a headache.

 

I have a nice little MS virtual server for this one. All the different IP and ITR packages are installed, and now I'm on the client deployment stage.

 

 

IP has a nice lil MSI which seems to be suitable for deployment. ITR however doesn't appear so helpful with its "Client Install.exe"

This exe seems to extract an ITR client MSI, an IS Script 10.5 MSI and an Easiteach MSI. The IS MSI unsurprisingly appears to be an original one, so is happy installing silently. However the ITR one and Easiteach one just return errors which usually imply "we don't want you to do this, run the exe".

Installing Easiteach from it's own original MSI works, but doesn't license it.

 

I've tried running "client install.exe" with just about every msiexec parameter there is (you can pass parameters with a /v), but without fail the Easiteach GUI comes up.

 

 

How did you guys get around this?

[TechSupp]

If you a search on here you will see some of us have already got fed up with this software. You're lucky to have MSI's as originally they had to be installed on each PC. I know thats not helping much with your problem but it may be that they are still an install on the server and install from each PC by using the client install exe run from the client? Just a stab in the dark which is what Abacus Evolve needs actually!

[firefighting]

Had a similar problem installing ITR. Have you got a mapped drives on the client pc setup?

[Ramsel]

If you a search on here you will see some of us have already got fed up with this software. You're lucky to have MSI's as originally they had to be installed on each PC. I know thats not helping much with your problem but it may be that they are still an install on the server and install from each PC by using the client install exe run from the client? Just a stab in the dark which is what Abacus Evolve needs actually!

 

I did a search and read everything that came up. Some people reported that they had solved this issue but none explained how.

Yes, the idea is that one runs the client install on the client from the server. However I need to make this run silently in order to deploy it. Worst comes to the worst I'll create my own MSI, but I'd rather not for various technical reasons in this instance.

 

Had a similar problem installing ITR. Have you got a mapped drives on the client pc setup?

 

I have no issue installing the client manually, but am unwilling to do so on every client machine

[firefighting]

Had a similar problem installing ITR. Have you got a mapped drives on the client pc setup?

 

Map drive in login script?

[chrbb]

I've installed it locally on staff laptops in case they use it at home, with only one server and no vpn I thought it night be 'safer'

 

I ran an answer file and then run a silent install script on each laptop (only 12 so not too bad!) The easiteach bit is a pain.

[Ramsel]

Map drive in login script?

 

SMS wouldn't like it, and that still won't make the installation silent.

 

I've installed it locally on staff laptops in case they use it at home, with only one server and no vpn I thought it night be 'safer'

 

I ran an answer file and then run a silent install script on each laptop (only 12 so not too bad!) The easiteach bit is a pain.

 

What's in this silent install script?

[chrbb]

Can't remember - I installed it as I wanted with an answer file, including serial number, then use the .iss file to run a silent install.

[CHR1S]

I just installed them manually to a clean PC then reimaged the whole suite, was far easier but I was doing the re-image anyway

[eean]

The IS MSI unsurprisingly appears to be an original one, so is happy installing silently. However the ITR one and Easiteach one just return errors which usually imply "we don't want you to do this, run the exe".

Installing Easiteach from it's own original MSI works, but doesn't license it.

 

Now, unfortunately I can't quite remember what I did. It was one of these 3 things!:

Either:

The problem is caused by easyteach msi being made using install shield. Install Sheild needs it's own driver. You can turn of the check for this my making a transform file (MST) for your MSI. You need to change the property ISSETUPDRIVEN=1. When you install via activedirectory you need to make sure the IISScriptx.msi file is installed first. However, because Install Shield are rubbish, if you have done this with another iscript file (they are all separate) you will have problems, and you will need to repackage the iiscript file.

 

or

 

I found a CC3 MSI version of Easyteach. this might have been on the CD but I think I downloaded a more recent version from RM.

 

or

 

Above (and) To fix the licence problem: I installed it once using Setup, then had a hunt through the registry for where the licence is stored. I then made a msi that installed this licence key and ran that MSI after the easyteach msi.

- This one rings a bell, I think that's what I did!

 

If you email me at the end of december, I should be able to check on my servers. I also made some scripts that installed the Server version on staff laptops so staff could use it at home, then a little program that allowed staff to choose whether they were running the database on the local machine (when offline) or the shared network database (when at school).

[Andie]

I've installed Abacus Evolve to one of our networked PCs, using the standalone install for the planner and the multi-user local install for the Resources. (I daren't put it on our one very critical server!).

 

Planner works fine. In administrator login, I can call the Resources from the Planner. In ordinary user mode, I can't - I get an error message saying that access restrictions are in place and to contact the system administrator. This is usually a permissions thing, but I am changing the permissions on the ITR folder and not getting anywhere.

 

Anyone had to do this and can point me in the right direction? Or have I done the install incorrectly???

[Ramsel]

Andie,

 

I believe that the location of the ITR is defined by a reg key on the server in HKLM. This means that as far as the software is concerned, it attempts to access the ITR in the same way.

 

Basically this is something to do with either NTFS perms or an odd path.

You said you've been playing with the perms on the ITR folder; what about the share permissions?

[chrbb]

Andie, I installed it the same way as you minus the problems you seem to be having, I didn't want to put it on our only server either so installed it all locally. Have you tried uninstalling the resources and trying again, or installing it on a different machine to narrow down the problem?

 

TBH it seems to be a bit of a pain in the neck typical educational software that the company could perhaps do with doing some research on how we run our networks in primary schools

[Andie]

Andie, I installed it the same way as you minus the problems you seem to be having, I didn't want to put it on our only server either so installed it all locally. Have you tried uninstalling the resources and trying again, or installing it on a different machine to narrow down the problem?

 

TBH it seems to be a bit of a pain in the neck typical educational software that the company could perhaps do with doing some research on how we run our networks in primary schools

 

Thanks for the input. At least I know it is possible!

 

Did you just install to the C: drive (ie. accept all the defaults?)? I have done that, and put the permissions up to modify on the folder called Abacus Evolve Teachers in Program Files. Still coming up with a restrictions error message.

 

I will try uninstalling, but I have already tried two different machines, one Win2k and one XP. Both have the same problem.

[chrbb]

Accepted all defaults and didn't have to set permissions either. Everyone's using it and no one's complained yet! Vanilla network? One solution would be to make a user a poweruser or local admin of that machine to see if it makes a difference, at least you'll know it is permissions and not something wierd gone astray with the software.

[Andie]

Accepted all defaults and didn't have to set permissions either. Everyone's using it and no one's complained yet! Vanilla network? One solution would be to make a user a poweruser or local admin of that machine to see if it makes a difference, at least you'll know it is permissions and not something wierd gone astray with the software.

 

Thanks. I'll try that with my test teacher. It is a vanilla Server 2003 network. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling on the Win2k machine, and still no good.

[Andie]

I made the teacher a power user on the local machine. Still no good. Will try with administrator.

 

However, I have found that the problem isn't with the ITRs themselves, or with permissions on the Easiteach software. I copied the ITR folder to a network share, and the teacher can get this up and running no problem by just double clicking one of the ITR files directly from the share. This will at least provide me with a temporary solution. The problem itself must exist with both the Planner software as it interacts with the ITR software, and with the ITR shortcut that is generated from the install.

 

I have taken a screenshot of the error message, and emailed the address that is given in the Planner installation guide.

 

By the way, in case anyone thinks I don't need to be installing all this onto each machine, just on teachers' laptops, I have been asked to install it everywhere by the deputy head. All of our teachers get a half day in school for planning, and their laptops are often still used in classes for the IWB so they need the planning software elsewhere.

[Andie]

I've installed it locally on staff laptops in case they use it at home, with only one server and no vpn I thought it night be 'safer'

 

Just checking - your staff laptops are on the domain?? Ours aren't, and I didn't have any problems with those - just with doing standalone on a networked PC.

 

Also, assuming your staff laptops are on the domain, you were logged in as domain admin and not local admin??

[chrbb]

Yes mine are all on the domain, I copy the contents of all software cds to a drive on the server and install from there ie not needing the cd to do each install. I've installed as a local setup both the iplanner and resources from the copy of the cd on the server. Both are fully functional when not on the network as staff are using the software at home.

Can't understand why it would be any different with non networked laptops presumably you are using the cd at each machine, so there's no difference. When I'm in on monday I'll uninstall from my laptop and reinstall as local admin to see what happens!

[Andie]

Yes mine are all on the domain, I copy the contents of all software cds to a drive on the server and install from there ie not needing the cd to do each install. I've installed as a local setup both the iplanner and resources from the copy of the cd on the server. Both are fully functional when not on the network as staff are using the software at home.

Can't understand why it would be any different with non networked laptops presumably you are using the cd at each machine, so there's no difference. When I'm in on monday I'll uninstall from my laptop and reinstall as local admin to see what happens!

 

Bit worried we may be getting our wires crossed, so just clarifying things:

 

1. Non-networked laptops have been fine.

2. On the domain PCs, I was logged in as domain administrator, not logged onto the machine as local admin - is that where I went wrong?? Do I need to be logged in as local admin?

3. Yes, I am putting the CD into the machine drive. I'm going to get one machine fully working (ha, ha!) and then image it and send that round to the rest.

[chrbb]

Yeah sorry thought the non networked machines were the problem. On the laptops and a couple of computers in the suite installed it logged on as domain admin. All laptops and computers are on the domain.

 

A really silly question, but you can install just the resources if you switch the serial code round, I've done this on the computers in the suite as the pupils won't need the iplanner but the resources may be useful in a lesson for individual use. You've not doing that when you install the resources are you? as that may make the i planner and the resources not 'speak' to each other.

 

 

On the desktop you have the folder marked ITR resources have you got more folders that just the resource folder. Sorry going by memory as not in that school today.

[Andie]

Yeah sorry thought the non networked machines were the problem. On the laptops and a couple of computers in the suite installed it logged on as domain admin. All laptops and computers are on the domain.

 

A really silly question, but you can install just the resources if you switch the serial code round, I've done this on the computers in the suite as the pupils won't need the iplanner but the resources may be useful in a lesson for individual use. You've not doing that when you install the resources are you? as that may make the i planner and the resources not 'speak' to each other.

 

 

On the desktop you have the folder marked ITR resources have you got more folders that just the resource folder. Sorry going by memory as not in that school today.

 

No, haven't done the serial code switch thing, just a nice follow the instructions carefully install in the way that is SUPPOSED to work with the planner!! But it wasn't a silly question.

 

The desktop folder isn't a folder, just a shortcut to the folder where the ITRs are stored. The actual folder is in Abacus Evolve Teachers in Program Files on the C: drive. That just contains other folders with pdfs, word docs and the easiteach ITRs. Copying these basic files to a network share just makes them available by direct clicking. And it means that at least they are available, even if not through the planner.

 

Just had an email back from Abacus support. Had sent them a very detailed email going through all the steps I had taken, and their email has just asked me questions which were already answered in the first email. Anyway, I've answered them again. Don't hold out much hope though...sigh...

[Andie]

Ah! It's not the ITR software install, it's the Planner software. Not that I've fixed it, but I have just realised that the Planner software includes all the photocopy masters, assessment sheets, etc., and these don't work from the Planner either. So the basic planner works, but doesn't load any of the things that appear under the Resources menu. Not as a teacher anyway. Have emailed Abacus support to let them know.

[pbrian49]

Our maths department bought this last year without telling me, and then promptly put it on my desk to install on the network saying it was urgent and was essential for their work.

 

If memory serves me right, the version we had was bugged and wouldn't install so we had to wait to get get updated discs. Still wouldn't work as a network install even after following instructions to the letter and talking to support. I finished installing it on staff laptops and workstations as stand alone versions.

 

After many hours of frustration trying to get this to work and finally putting it on half a dozen laptops and workstations, I have since found out that some don't use it as, in their words "it isn't really what we wanted". Since then I don't know of any member of staff that does us it.

Any machine rebuilds don't have it on and no one has questioned where it has gone.

[Andie]

Thanks, pbrian49, but the teachers who have trialled it on their standalone laptops really like it and are using it (apart from the fact that they are finding errors in the maths in parts of the units), and it has therefore been ordered and all of the other teachers are very keen. I have to get this working by January. Still no response from Abacus.