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Archiver > MI-CCGS > 2000-11 > 0974036312


From: "Bob and Bobby" <>
Subject: [MI-CCGS-L] Re: Ste. Anne's CD
Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2000 08:38:32 -0500


Hi all,

Recently, some of you may have purchased a CD from Ste. Anne's on Mackinaw Island and are have not been able to extract data from it according to the instructions that was received with the CD. The CCGS also purchased this same CD and placed copies at both the LDS and Cheboygan Public Libraries.

One of our members has written to the supplier outlining this problem and received back the SAME information on extraction that came with the CD. I believe that their instructions might work if the CD was being used in a DOS or Windows 3.1 environment, but it does not appear to be compatible with Windows 95 or Windows 98. I have taken a look at the problem and there seems to be a very simple way to "work-around" the incompatibility issue.

** To start with, if you have installed the program on your computer as outlined in the instructions received, you must FIRST un-install it before proceeding with the "work-around" solution, here's how:

Using the left mouse button, click <START>, scroll to and left click on <SETTINGS> and then left click on "Control Panel". In Control Panel, left click on "Add/Remove Programs". Scroll down through the pop-up list until you find the "Alchemy Service Pack 6" entry. It may not be named EXACTLY like that depending on how it was installed, but you should be able to recognise it. When you find this entry, left click it to select it and then left click the <Remove> button. This will start an uninstall shield and remove the program from your system and give you back your hard drive space.

** Now, the "work-around". Place the Ste. Anne's CD in your CD Rom drive. Double left click "My Computer" (should be upper left hand corner on your desktop), then double left click your "CD Rom" drive. Generally this would be drive "E", but for some of you it might be something different. You should be able to recognise it however, as it will look like a CD and it will have a label that starts with the letters "Bap" followed by a serial number. Double left clicking this drive will open the CD and display its contents. Scroll down through the contents until you see a blue icon labeled "Search.exe" (its right at the bottom). Using the RIGHT mouse button, right click this blue icon and it will display a pop-up menu. One of the options you will be offered in this menu is "Send to..". Left click this option and in the next menu choose "Desktop (create shortcut)". When you left click this option an icon will be placed on your desktop labeled "Search.exe". You are done with the contents of the CD, so close everything back down to your desktop. Locate your new "Shortcut" and drag it to wherever you would like it to reside on the desktop. Now, using the RIGHT mouse button again, right click that new icon. In the pop-up menu, choose "Rename" and type in "Ste. Anne's" (without the quotes), then double left click some vacant space on the desktop and BINGO!, you have a brand new icon ready to go to work for you.

The rest is all downhill. Just be sure the Ste.Anne's CD is in the CD Rom drive of your system and double left click that new icon. The Alchemy system should now operate properly and your data bases will be displayed in the left hand pane on your screen. Exploration will be required to learn how to use these data. The Help Files should be of some assistance in getting you acquainted There are several options available to you allowing you to expand the windows and also zoom in on data to read it easier.

I know that this method works as I've applied it to three different computers just to make sure that it does. Good luck. If you have any problem understanding any of this, let me know and I'll try to help.

Bob



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