mpatkts

I have put my RM CC4 package (November 2014 version), instructions and notes in Google Drive. If this can be of help to anyone please send me a private message and I will send them the link. We have just run the ICT exam with no problems but I still check connectivity on all 46 computers before each exam. O ye of little faith (in Pearson)!

I have exported our package which is 107Mb so don't quite know how I can get this to you as I have never used data sharing! I also don't know why I had created the path rule but it was back in June 2013 and I'm not going to remove it just in case. I will try setting up a Google Drive account tomorrow if you like.

I just used Application Wizard on a clean machine choosing the option to repackage an existing msi. When I assigned the package I made sure that both the Admin and the Invigilator dashboards were open and logged into. Also created a path rule: C:\Program Files\Pearson\TestPlayer\Edi.Advance.Tdp.Client.exe .

Update from KTS – RM CC4 network – running the November 2014 version of POP. Our exams officer was able to log into the Admin dashboard and download a demo test – no time at present to actually take the demo test today but will try this asap. As already mentioned we have previously had no problem with running these tests, only one blip when we had to use the password from Pearson for one student to start the test again. But this software has taken an unreasonable amount of my time. One thing I have always done is each time Pearson do an upgrade I have removed everything – Exam Centre Service, Admin Dashboard, Invigilator Dashboard and the Testplayer package. Then reinstalled the new version and created a new package – in the order as above and when installing the next bit made sure that the ECS was running then the Admin dashboard open and logged into when installing the Invigilator Dashboard and both logged into when assigning the TestPlayer package. I didn’t install Microsoft Visual C ++ 2012 as RM said that this would probably mess up some of our other third party software so we still have the 2008 version. Our Internet providers are the Hertfordshire Grid and I have ensured that port 443 is open. Our network config is – Proxy Enabled – http://:80. Anyway, after seeing all of the recent posts I don’t know how an actual demo test will go!

I ran the tool from the administrator computer as per the instructions on the tool window - but this was using the download from the first install in June 2013! But it seems that others are getting the same error anyway. I had to check with the Hertfordshire Grid that port 443 was open at the time which it was and we have never had connection problems with any of the exams since. The only problem has been that I have to re install the whole lot each time there is an upgrade because I build a package for the Test Player software. Afraid I won't be back in work till next Tues (part timer!) but obviously will need to check this out for our upcoming exams. I keep pointing out to our SLT that this causes every technician in the country grief but they ignore me, perhaps if we have to cancel an exam they may take notice!

Hello - I have just run this on our exam user's computer - the administrator dashboard is installed on this one - and where is says 'downloading package..' it fails - 'Please check that Port 443 is open'. We have a RM Network and although this has taken ages to install each time we have never had any problems with running a test. I would assume that it is them. But as their support is hopeless/non-existent I would give up if I was you. If we all give up then no school can run this rotten software!

The last I heard from Pearson was that the upgrade had been delayed (30 Sept 2014) and I have had no information since! I have complained bitterly to Pearson several times about their continued upgrades as it involves such a lot of work but they continue to ignore me. At least our PE department are no longer doing the BTEC course which was equally abysmal as the software!

I have just installed this lot AGAIN - another update means a complete re install on our RM Network (built a package for the TestPlayer as need to install to 22 computers at least). All seemed to go ok but I had to ignore the Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 install as RM says that if we install this then lots of our other software will not work - 2008 installed as default at moment by RM. After numerous emails and phone calls Pearson just don't have a clue about the real world out here. The last PE BTEC exam went ok with 2008 but am waiting to see if the ICT one works - who knows, no point in contacting Pearson. Pearson say that this software is still under development - why put it out when not fully tested? However, they also say they are currently working on building a web or cloud based version of the testing sofware. Lets hope soon.

I went and started another thread on this one, sorry should have added to this one - please see: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/educational-software/126707-pearson-online-platform.html?highlight=pearson+online

I always create specific user log ons for exams, then any settings required will only be available for the duration of the exam. These users could even have privileged status temporarily on computers if necessary. I think I was lucky that this all worked, but during the installation of Testplayer I had the Admin and invigilator dashboards open and signed into when I assigned the Testplayer from the RM Management console. The exams officer's log in has privileged user settings anyway so she uses her usual log on. I created a new log on for the invigilator, as this could be anyone, which has usual teacher settings, think I added invigilator to privileged on the local machine as well. I had to go onto each computer and 'discover' the invigilator dashboard, which will be a nightmare next summer as we have over 40 students doing BTEC online. I usually create user log in slips for online exams and for this one they also get one which is generated on the invigilator dashboard. Don't know if this is much help as I'm not a 'techie' and very lucky that, although it took hours first time round, it worked. I have written some pretty scathing emails to Pearson though. Their developers just have no idea what it is like to run a school network, they don't realise that we have other tasks to do!

We have a RM CC4 network and I first installed this software in June for a PE BTEC exam. As I was unfamiliar with the whole process It took me about 26 hours to complete the many steps involved and reading paperwork/sending emails. I was horrified that, after so much work in the summer, I had to go through the whole process again when Pearson announced that they were upgrading the software for the December 2013 exam. What was infuriating was the fact that a requirement for using their new software was to install Microsoft Visual C ++ 2012. RM advised us that as part of our system we have v2008 and if we upgrade to the latest version other pre installed software would not work as it depends on the 2008 version. After several emails I received the news that we would be ok with the 2008 version. This delayed our installation – they had set a deadline to do the upgrade so time was very tight. Their expectation is that you install the Testplayer software locally on each machine and therefore when an upgrade happens you only have to run the upgrade on each machine. Obviously on any network this is not the way things are done when involving installs on multiple computers. I have had to do a complete re install, building a new package and re installing the Admin and Invigilator dashboards completely in case they don’t communicate with each other with different builds. Fortunately the actual process for this has only taken two days. On their website they say to allow at least one hour for the installation. However, it did all install ok on our RM CC4 network and the machines where the Testplayer was installed successfully connected to the Invigilator computer – and the Invigilator dashboard to the Admin dashboard – and everything connected to the Exam Centre Service on the server automatically. The actual software for the POP installation involves 4 separate components – 1. Exam Centre Service – download their msi and install the program on server – C:\Program Files\Pearson\ExamCentreService\ . The application will need to store data which needs to be accessible to the student users so changed the ‘DataStore’ path to the General Shared area in a pre prepared folder named ESM_Test_Centre. I also entered details of our proxy server in the set up. After this setup it gives you instructions to find the downloaded MSIs for the for the other consoles. 2. Administrator Dashboard – follow their instructions to install this locally on the exams officer’s computer locally. The AD needs to be left open, and the administrator logged on the exams officer’ computer to install the next component. 3. Invigilator Dashboard – this needs to be installed on one computer in each exam room. Again the ID needs to be open and logged on as the Invigilator during the next step. 4. Test Player –Using the MSI provided with the installation of the ExamCentreService the package built ok using App Wizard. Test users are provided for the test process and final candidate users are provided the day before the exam. Needed to make a shortcut available to the candidate users. We have just completed the demo test – on each computer which will be used for the exam - and have had confirmation that the tests were uploaded ok. For each of these demo tests in June and the one for December we fortunately did not have too many candidates, but next year we will have around 40. They really need to understand their ‘target market’ and that poor school technicians do have other work to do! I am now waiting in trepidation for the actual exam to see whether it will all work ok without the Microsoft Visual version that their new is meant to be dependent on……