PREREQUISITES
- If you are running a version of QC-CALC before 3.4, install a 30-day evaluation copy of QC-CALC Real-Time 3.4 from the Downloads page of this website.
- If you are already using QC-CALC 3.4, update to the latest revision.
- Use the Help > Update QCC Files... menu within the latest revision of QC-CALC Real-Time 3.4 to update all of your QCC files to the revision that is needed for the 4.x conversion process.
INTRODUCTION
This article gives the general steps to upgrade your existing copies of QC-CALC 3.x (3,0, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) to QC-CALC 4.x (4.0, 4.1). Generally, two steps are upgrading the software and converting your existing data (QCC files) to the new format (QCQ files or SQL Server).
NOTE: If you choose to use SQL Server, there is an additional setup step of creating the database and assigning permissions. If you use the Create Database button on the Tools > Options > Data Storage screen, the wizard will create the database and assign a user account for you. You only need to know the server name where SQL Server is installed and a system administrator account with the permissions to create a database.
STEPS
Installation
This involves installing the software and copying all settings from your previous version. As outlined above, start with the data collection software (QC-CALC Real-Time, Gagestation, QC-Gage).
- If possible, install QC-CALC 4.x on the same PC as QC-CALC 3.x. If not, proceed to the "Copying Settings Manually" section after installation.
- On the first run of QC-CALC Real-Time, a message will appear saying QC-CALC 3.x was detected and offers an opportunity to copy your settings forward. Choose Yes to keep your previous version's settings and use them with 4.x. QC-CALC will copy all settings and related files from 3.4 and use them going forward. If you use the Administrative Tools, 4.0/4.1 will automatically be redirected to the same user group as your previous version.
- If you use SQL Server as the database type, go to the Tools > Options > Data Storage area and choose "MS SQL Server" from the Data Storage Type list. Enter your connection information into the 4 fields on the Data Storage screen, then click the Test Connection button to complete the SQL connection.
NOTE: Report templates will not be copied from the old version, but a Template Converter application can convert any customized report templates you have created to the new 4.x version. You do NOT have to convert any templates if you haven't customized any, instead use the default templates installed with QC-CALC 4.x. To convert the templates, use the Help > Launch Template Converter menu and follow the instructions within the program.
Copying Settings Manually
NOTE: Skip this section if you installed QC-CALC 4.x on the same PC as your previous version.
- Shut down any previous version of the software that is running. This will ensure you are not writing to the settings files as they are being copied.
- Copy the following files from the old version's directory (i.e. c:\Prolink\QC-CALC 3.4\) to the new directory (i.e. c:\ProgramData\Prolink\QC-CALC 4.1\). Due to Microsoft's software requirements there are two new directories in QC-CALC 4.1; the ProgramData directory and the Users\Public directory. The directories are typically the ones shown below unless you installed QC-CALC in a non-default directory. In this case, the lowest folder will differ slightly in name.
ProgramData directory: C:\ProgramData\Prolink\QC-CALC 4.1Users\Public directory: C:\Users\Public\Prolink\QC-CALC 4.1
Warning: Copy the files listed here ONLY!
Copy the following files to the ProgramData directory:
- Admin.ini - This may be hidden. Turn on "hidden files" in Windows Explorer.
- AskValues.ini
- ConvertTemplates.ini
- QC-CALC SPC-ScreenSettings.ini
- QC-CALC.ini
- QCCalcOverrides.ini
- QC-CALC-RT.ini
- QC-CALC-SPC.ini
- RealTimePlots-ScreenSettings.ini
- TrainingCmm.ini
- Update.ini
Copy the following files to the Users\Public directory:
- AssignableCauses.dat
- CorrectiveActions.dat
- *_setup.txt - Files of this style may or may not exist depending on your machine type (i.e. modus_setup.txt or metris_setup.txt). If they exist, copy them.
Data Conversion
You must convert your existing data files (QCC) to the new format (QCQ or SQL Server) in order to use them in 4.x. It is important to note that converting your QCC files to QCQ or SQL Server does not change your QCC files in any way. It only copies the data and settings within them to the new database. To convert your QCC files using the QC-CALC Part File Utility, see the following article for step-by-step instructions:
https://www.prolinksoftware.com/support_article.aspx?id=524