Universe Software and Vista

[Kilgs]

Just fired up Universe on my new Vista (P-OS) and it won't run. Universe boots up but when I try to enter a database, I get the following error message.

(-2147467259)[XTG Systems][Interbase 6] driver, unavailable database

Any ideas?

 

[cdward]

Interbase on Vista

Well this is what the Embarcadero web site says "Older versions of InterBase (7.5.1 and earlier) are not supported on Windows Vista, and we strongly encourage customers to use InterBase 2007 on Windows Vista." and your error message strongly suggests that Universe uses InterBase 6.

You could try downloading an update from http://cc.codegear.com/reg/interbase.

Chris D-W

 

[Valarian]

Have you tried the ODBC driver from the Universe website?

 

[Kilgs]

I'll try it out when I get home, thanks!

 

[Hemdian]

Its not quite as serious as it sounds. First you must edit the shortcuts for Universe and IBConsole and set the compatibility mode for both to be Windows XP SP2. Second, for some reason (possibly Vista’s new memory curtaining?) you have to open IBConsole and connect to the server before running Universe. You should be able to minimise IBConsole while running Universe.

The ODBC driver on StuffOnline is the same as on CD. Unless you were in one of the beta test teams you shouldn't need to upgrade.

I know this is a bit cumbersome but all I can say is I really am working on Universe 2 right now. And I’m using a Vista machine to develop on so Vista compatibility is assured. Every aspect of Universe is being revisited, overhauled, and reworked … so I hope you like it when its eventually done. (Here’s an early preview.)


UPDATE: When setting the compatability mode for Universe itself you also need to check the option "Disable desktop composition".

 

[Kilgs]

First you must edit the shortcuts for Universe and IBConsole and set the compatibility mode for both to be Windows XP SP2. Second, for some reason (possibly Vista’s new memory curtaining?) you have to open IBConsole and connect to the server before running Universe. You should be able to minimise IBConsole while running Universe.

I figured out the manual running of the IBConsole. But "edit shortcuts...", where does one find this? And what edits need to be made?

I know this is a bit cumbersome but all I can say is I really am working on Universe 2 right now.

Woo Hoo!

 

[jfetters]

I figured out the manual running of the IBConsole. But "edit shortcuts...", where does one find this? And what edits need to be made?

Right click on the shortcut and select Properties from the menu that appears.

Then click on the "Compatibility" tab and click the checkbox so that the Windows XP SP2 option is active. Then click OK to save the settings.

 

[Kilgs]

No such luck. Same error. I'm wondering if I'm misunderstanding the "manual running of IbConsole."

I have a mini window up titled "Interbase Manager", it indicates that the Interbase Server is running and the root directory is Program Files\borland\interbase\

When I open up IB Console, it's a different screen with no servers listed. It just says Interbase Server in the left window and nothing in right window.

 

[Hemdian]

In that case I think the installation may not have completed.

• If you double-click on InterBase Servers on the left another dialog opens (Register Server and Connect). Select local server and then okay.
  
  
• Now on the right double-click Login. Say yes if asked to start the server. The Login dialog should appear (Username=SYSDBA, password=masterkey).
  
  In future this is as far as you need to go, but the first time continue ...
  
  
• The tree on the left now has more options. Select Users. On the right it should list SYSDBA, TRAVELLER_DBA, TRAVELLER_USER. If missing any you can right-click on SYSDBA to add (password same as username).
  
  
• Now run Traveller Universe Manager. Click database delete. Delete all entries (ignore any "file not found" messages).
  
  
• Then, still in the Manager, import a database. Name=TU-SAMPLE, for Import File the set button starts the open dialog ... navigate to the data directory on the CD and select sample.gbk. When you import a DOS box will open. Let it run and don't close it (even if it looks finished), it will close itself.

There. Now Universe should run.

 

[Kilgs]

All steps followed.

Started Up Universe

First Try: Same error (see above)

Second Try: "(-2147418113) Catastrophic Failure"

Third Try: Still spooling/booting etc. 4+ minutes

 

[Kilgs]

By the way, I appreciate all your help, Hemdian. Really.

Here's the server log file:

TSK-HOPC (Server) Tue Oct 07 19:12:54 2008
ipserver.c: DuplicateHandle(ips_server_proc) failed: GetLastError returned 87

TSK-HOPC (Server) Tue Oct 07 19:27:28 2008
ipserver.c: DuplicateHandle(ips_server_proc) failed: GetLastError returned 87

 

[Hemdian]

Okay, this has me stumped. I recently reinstalled Vista (32-bit Ultimate) on my machine so I've just gone and reinstalled Universe from CD. I'd neglected an additional shortcut setting (Disable desktop composition) without which the menus cause a lock up, but other than that it works fine.

What version of Vista are you running? 32 or 64 bit version? Clean install or upgrade? Any other OS present (dual boot)?

Next: Log into IBConsole. Under Local Servers --> Databases select register a new database. In the new dialog that opens for file navigate to C:\Program Files\Universe and select the database you see there (you don't need to enter any information about it). The database should now appear in the tree ... double-click on it. Does it open?

Then: In Control Panel (classic view) doule-click Administrative Tools. Then select Data Sources. In the dialog that opens you should see your database listed on the User DSN tab. Meanwhile on the drivers tab you should see (near the list bottom) "XTG Systems InterBase6 ODBC driver".

 

[Kilgs]

Sorry to be a pain in the ass.

I'm running Home Premium. Intel Core Duo CPU E7200 2.53g. Brand new computer (2 days old).

Both of the above actions completed successfully. The database was fine and the drivers are listed as well as the database appearing...

So, I guess, the question is: When is Universe 2 coming out ;-)

 

[Hemdian]

Hmmm ... here's a gotcha with the Start menu: In the normal (non-Classic) view you are shown a list of recently run programs plus a link called "All Programs". This list is created dynamicaly therefore editing the shortcuts here is pointless. When you edit the shortcut to set the compatability options you need to edit the version in "All Programs" and only run that version.

 

[Kilgs]

EDIT: Ignore this. It didn't work but I was in a rush and forgot to boot up the server etc. I'll check tonight.

 

[Kilgs]

Nope. Same error messages.

 

[BigBadRon]

Following Hemdian's instructions, I just managed to get TU to work on a Vista machine that it wouldn't work on before.

 

[Kilgs]

It's always me... I swear. I always have the one odd thing that simply doesn't work- no matter what.

I'm going to try a complete reboot and then work through the instructions one at a time. I'll see if that does anything.

 

[Hemdian]

Following Hemdian's instructions, I just managed to get TU to work on a Vista machine that it wouldn't work on before.

Well that's one success at least.

It's always me... I swear. I always have the one odd thing that simply doesn't work- no matter what.

I'm going to try a complete reboot and then work through the instructions one at a time. I'll see if that does anything.

I showed the server message you got to a work friend of mine and he thinks there is something misbehaving in the ODBC driver. Its a long shot but you could try uninstalling it and reinstalling it. (On the CD there is a directory called ODBC that will have the files you need.) Other than that I'm currently out of ideas.

 

[Kilgs]

I'm going to uninstall everything and retry it all tonight. I'll let you know.

So how's Universe 2 coming ;-)