Database Settings

Displayed Fields for Edit Gage Data - This contains a list of fields to be displayed for the "Edit Gage" page. The "FieldName" column has a dropdown box that contains the choices of all the available fields. The "Heading" will appear next to the input box. The "ListItems" column contains any optional pick list items you want to show in the input box. Click on the ListItem cell to bring up the edit box for adding the list items. You cant use ListItems for Memo fields. "Order" indicates the place it will be shown in the list. 

Add a New Field to the Dropdown List - The Fieldname Dropdown List shows existing available fields. If you want to create a new field that doesnt exist then go to the Settings - Tables page.

Add Item - To add a database field to the list, press the "Add Item" button. Or, highlight one of the rows, either press the Insert key or arrow down to the bottom, and a new row will be added where you can enter the Heading and Fieldname.  

Serial Number Prefix - If you normally have a prefix on the gage serial number, you can enter it here. This is used only by the Generate button on the Edit Gage page.

Serial Number Suffix - If you have a numbered suffix on the gage serial number, this can be used to increment the suffix when there is already the same serial number existing. This is used only by the Generate button on the Edit Gage page.

Database Type - Gage Control can use either a Microsoft Access type database or any other database that uses an ODBC driver.

For Access database, enter in the path and filename of the database file. The default name of the database file that comes with Gage Control is: gages.mdb. 

For ODBC driver database - Gage Control uses a default file DSN that is named "gages.dsn" located in the user data path folder. Or if it's a different filename or location the filename can be entered in "DSN File". The file basically contains the connection string like this: 

For MySQL:

[ODBC]
DRIVER=MySQL ODBC 5.1 Driver
Server=rand
Pwd=george
Persist Security Info=True
Uid=root
Database=gages
OPTION=2

For SQL Server:

[ODBC]

DRIVER=SQL Server

Server=HP-PC

Pwd=mypassword

Uid=sa

Database=gages

The name of the ODBC driver being used is displayed next to "Driver:".

Backing up the database - GageControl doesn't provide any backup services for the database, so you should always have some daily backup solution operating. If you are using the Access database, all you need to do is copy the gages.mdb file that is in the user data path and store it somewhere.

Compacting Utility - If you make frequent changes to your database, parts of the database may become fragmented. Therefore, periodically run the Compact Database utility in Access. If you do not have a copy of Access, you can still compact the database by using the JetComp utility. This can also help in recovering corrupted databases.

Download here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/295334

Database Drivers - The current database driver being used is displayed on this page. The 32-bit version of GageControl uses 32-bit database drivers and the 64-bit version uses 64-bit database drivers. The 64-bit drivers for Access are not installed in Windows 7 by default. Office 64-bit installs them.

The 32-bit driver is displayed as this:

The 64-bit driver is displayed as this:

The 32-bit Access database drivers on on Windows 7 by default. The 64-bit drivers are installed if you have Office 64-bit installed. If you don't have that and need the 64-bit drivers download them from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=13255

You need to run the installation from the command line with the "/passive" switch.

    To install the Microsoft ACE OLEDB Provider 32-bit on a machine running Office 64-bit:

> AccessDatabaseEngine.exe /passive

    To install the Microsoft ACE OLEDB Provider 64-bit on a machine running Office 32-bit:

> AccessDatabaseEngine_X64.exe /passive