SECTION 1:  Downloading the installer

Some users have reported problems downloading the DB/TextWorks installer.

Issue #1 (occasional):

In some cases (mainly when using Firefox), users are not being prompted for the username and password.  Instead, they receive a "401 Authorization Access Required" message.  However, they are never actually prompted to enter the username or password.

We're not sure why some Firefox users experience this problem, however we recommend trying the following workarounds:

• Although the main download instructions suggest RIGHT-CLICKING on the DB/TextWorks download link, you may want to try LEFT-CLICKING on the download link instead.  We've had reports that LEFT-CLICKING on the download link has allowed some users to bypass this problem in Firefox and download the installer successfully.
• Alternately, you may want to try using a different browser (IE or Chrome) to download DB/TextWorks.

Issue #2 (moderately frequent):

In other cases, the user's security software is interfering with the download process.  In this case, please see the following suggestions:

•  Temporarily disable your security software, then download DB/TextWorks, and then immediately re-enable your security software.  Or:
•  See if your security software allows you to "whitelist" or "exempt" certain sites.  If so, then add the SLIS website to your whitelist or exemption list:  http://slisweb.sjsu.edu
•  Finally, some users have reported that  LEFT-CLICKING on the DB/TextWorks download link (instead of RIGHT-CLICKING) has allowed them to get around this issue.

Variation:  Several users reported that Norton Antivirus flagged the installer as “high risk” and deleted the download altogether.   In such cases, please use the solutions mentioned above.

• Important Note:  SLIS cannot provide you with instructions for your specific security software.  If you're not sure how to temporarily disable your security software, or how to whitelist or exempt a specific site, then you'll need to consult the documentation that came with your security software.  In most cases, the company that created your security software should have user manuals available on their website. 

Issue #3 (occasional):  

Some students choose to download and install DB/TextWorks on a computer at their place of employment.  In such cases, if you run into any download or installation issues that aren't covered on this support page, then you'll need to check with your local IT staff to verify whether or not there are any restrictions being placed on your work computer, and if so, you'll need to work with them to get those issues resolved.  

SECTION 2:  Installing DB/TextWorks

Issue #1 (occasional):

Occasionally users report getting the following error message at the end of the installation process:

     "failed to load DLL:idialogs"

We're not sure why people occasionally get that error message, but by that point the installation has already completed successfully.

The above error message can be safely ignored and you can verify that DB/TextWorks is installed by using the following steps to launch the software:

• Click on the Start menu in the lower left-hand corner of your desktop.  In Windows Vista or Windows 7, the Start menu is the flag button in the lower left-hand corner of your desktop.
• On the Start menu, go to All Programs, then Inmagic Applications, then DBTextWorks, and then DBTextWorks.  This should launch the DB/TextWorks application.

Issue #2 (occasional):

Occasionally users report getting caught in an installation “loop”, where they go through the installation process over and over again.

In most cases, this is because the user is accidentally re-running the installer.

The installer doesn't create a shortcut for DB/TextWorks on the desktop and so some people mistakenly re-run the installer.  (They think they're launching DB/TextWorks, but in fact they're re-running the installer).

If you've successfully installed DB/TextWorks, then you should be able to launch the application by doing the following:

• Click on the Start menu in the lower left-hand corner of your desktop.  In Windows Vista or Windows 7, the Start menu is the flag button in the lower left-hand corner of your desktop.
• On the Start menu, go to All Programs, then Inmagic Applications, then DBTextWorks, and then DBTextWorks.  This should launch the DB/TextWorks application.

Issue #3 (rare):

This issue is very rare, but occasionally users report that when they try to install DB/TextWorks v13.0, they receive the following error:

       "Setup has detected that you do not have Internet Explorer 6.0 or later installed"

They receive this message despite the fact that they in fact already have IE7, IE8, or IE9 installed.

Unfortunately, the workaround for this issue is somewhat involved, as it requires you to edit your Windows Registry.

However, as a quick solution, you may want to try upgrading to the most current version of IE.  For instance, if you're currently using IE8, try upgrading to IE9.   We've had reports that this has successfully resolved the issue.

However, if doing so doesn't resolve the issue for you, then please contact Stanley Laufer to obtain the necessary instructions for editing the Windows Registry. 

Section 3:  FAQ

Question:  I've sent my database to another classmate, but when they try to open it, they receive an error message that says "attempted to read past end of file".   What did I do wrong?

Answer:  Before creating a ZIP archive of the 11 database files, please make sure that you have completely closed out of DB/TextWorks. If you fail to do so, there's a chance that some of the database files will not get added to the ZIP archive correctly.  In which case, when the recipient of your database attempts to open the database in DB/TextWorks, they will receive the error message you mentioned.

In order to avoid this problem, completely close out of DB/TextWorks before you create the ZIP archive of the 11 database files.

The reason for this problem is that DB/TextWorks maintains what are called "file locks" on some of the database files.  If you have or recently had your database open in DB/TextWorks, those file locks will cause problems when you create the ZIP archive.  If you completely close DB/TextWorks, the file locks will be released and you will not run into any issues when creating the ZIP archive.