Troopmaster 2005 Installation Instructions

You may want to print this page before proceeding as Troopmaster advises closing all other applications during installation.

Step 1 : Un-install prior version(s) of Troopmaster

• If you have an old version of Troopmaster, follow the appropriate instructions for your operating system to un-install older versions of TroopMaster. In Windows XP this involves doing Start >> Settings >> Control Panel >> Add or Remove Programs. Then select the appropriate program and select Remove

Step 2: Install Troopmaster on your PC

Note: You will need information from the T39 webmaster prior to this step. If you haven't already, request the appropriate passwords before you proceed.

1. - Download the Troopmaster installation file by clicking here. Follow the instructions on that page, to download and install the software. Follow the instructions, reading each dialog carefully.
3. - In order to enable the software, you will be asked if you have the license key. This would have been provided to you by the troop. If you answer "NO"  the software will still install, but only in demo mode. Assuming you have the key, answer "YES."
5. - Continue to follow the instructions of the Troopmaster installation process. You may simply click "OK" for the file/folder location questions as the defaults should work fine. When prompted, carefully enter the license key, unit # and expiration date as provided by the troop. If asked, indicate that you are a new user (NOT "converting from Previous Version").
7. - You may be asked if you want to install a copy of Adobe Reader.  If you don't have this already, please install it so you can read the user's manual.
9. - You will be asked for a location to install the AutoMailer program. You may chose to go ahead (again, the defaults location is fine), or click "Cancel" to opt out of this portion of the install. (read the manual to find out more about AutoMailer).
11. - Start the program by selecting it from the Start menu or clicking on the desktop icon. Feel free to experiment with the program at this stage (good time to read the manual!). At this point, there is no data, so you've little to lose.

You now have a registered copy of Troopmaster running on your PC. You also have a copy of the manual in the Troopmaster installation directory (usually it will be C:\Troopmaster Software\TM4\Manual.pdf. I suggest you make a shortcut to it from your desktop or other convenient spot). Take some time to review it at this point and be sure to refer to it when you have a question. Alternatively, you can use the help files accessible from the Help menu.

Note also, that there are no scout or adult records in your database yet. To populate the database, let's keep going.

Step 3: Enable Troopmaster DotNet

1. - Launch Troopmaster
3. - From the "File" menu, select "Troopmaster DotNet" Select "OK" if asked if you already purchased DotNet.
5. - A dialog will appear that looks like the dialog shown below:

4. - Click the checkmark to activate TroopMaster DotNet
6. - Enter the server name as shown. Leave the port set to 21 and the Web Data Path set to "/".
8. - You will have been provided a DotNet User ID and password. Please enter them in the appropriate fields of the FTP Settings area of this area of the dialog. 
10. - Select the buttons in the Web Data Settings section as shown. You will have the opportunity to change these in the future if you desire, but before doing so, you MUST read the manual.
12. - Enter your contact info. This must be accurate. This is how we know who has the database at any given time (in case you forget to unlock it for instance).

Step 4: Start using TroopMaster

1. - Once you click "OK" on the DotNet setup screen, TroopMaster will connect to the network and start to download the database. It will ask if you want to download a read-only copy. Answer "NO" at this point (we do not want a read-only version just now). If it replies that the database is currently locked, proceed with a read-only copy.
3. - You will be asked to enter your data access password. This password determines which portions of the data you can see and/or modify.  Make a note of it in a safe place. Although you will not be asked to enter it each time you use Troopmaster, you will need it from time to time. Please do not share this password with others. Instead, ask them to contact the advancement chair.
5. - Once this is complete, if all goes well, you should have a copy of the database on your hard disk, and the online database will be locked (assuming you said "NO" in 1 above).
7. - You are done and ready to use TroopMaster! Congratulations!

    Notes:

1. - Each time you exit the program, you will be prompted to either "Upload and Unlock" the database or to "Exit without uploading." Under normal circumstances, you will want to Upload and Unlock. Please remember do so to avoid locking others out of the latest data. The only situation you would chose to select "Exit without uploading" would be when you are planning to be offline, but want to keep working with the database (e.g. at the Scout Hut, on a camping trip). Keep in mind, no-one else can edit/change the database while you have it checked out, so please keep these instances to a minimum.

• Your Data Access Password limits what data you can see or change. So even though you chose to download a fully editable copy of the database from DotNet, your password may limit you to read-only or to editing only a few fields. We will greatly limit those with the ability to add/change troop records. If you are responsible for maintaining Troopmaster data, the webmaster will have provided you with the appropriate password.

That is it! You should be ready to go! REMEMBER: READ THE MANUAL CAREFULLY! YOU CAN CAUSE A LOT OF DAMAGE OTHERWISE.

This page was last updated on 04/18/08.