When using the Label Maker, I get an inappropriate Tape Cartridge Installed Error or ProGAGE label defaults to 1" label setting when I've installed either ½" or ¼" label cartridge into the label maker. How do I change the printer default setting to read the right tape size all the time? (This question is NT/2000 specific)

MS NT and Windows 2000 are built with similar technology. They do not allow programmatic control over the system printer. You have to manually change the printer settings from the Settings > Printers option of the Windows Start menu. It is not necessary to set the printer as the default printer but you have to set the right label cartridge size.

Whenever I try to print a report, I get an Error "Run-time Error 5707" or "Run-time Error 482" and then ProGAGE quits. How do I fix this problem?

ProGAGE remembers the name of the printer you use as a default printer. If the printer gets renamed, then you will get this error message. To correct the problem, simply delete the printer driver using Windows Control Panel and then re-install the printer driver and set it as your default printer. 

In my old ProGAGE I could Archive all my 1999 Calibration History. How do I archive all 1999 Calibration History (including records, measurements) in ProGAGE v4? What about Usage History?

In ProGAGE v4, you only have two types of archiving process: Archive the complete gage record and archive only gage history. When you use the first option, you archive everything including the gage record itself and it would no longer be reflected in the database. With the second option, you can select your inclusive dates, in our case all of 1999. However, only records pertaining to every activity done on and with the gage are archive. Records that do not change, e.g., name, purchase date, cost, suppliers, etc will be retained in the active database.

In the Calibration Entry Screen, under the Measurements tab , what does "Ref. Gage" mean? What am I suppose to type in there?

In this field, you type in the gage ID of the gage used for creating the standard. Normally the Standards ID is also the gage ID of the standard. However, if the Standards ID name is not the same as the gage ID, you have to fill this field with the gage ID, which is important for traceability back to a specific standard.

What do I do when my audit log file is full?

The audit log is only a text file, the location you can find from the Settings menu. The limit of this log file is the available space on your hard drive. You can open the file with any text editor (e.g. notepad) and copy the contents you wish to archive into another file or you can just simply clear this file if you deem it full. Just make sure you use the correct file name.

How do I setup multiple databases? I'm responsible for calibrating gages at 3 different plants.

You first have to create multiple copies of the original database and later remove the records that are not need in each of the database you create. Specify different names for each. You can open the different databases when you are in the program by selecting the File > Open Database from the main menu and selecting the appropriate database. However this changes the registry entry every time you close the program setting your default database to the last opened. The procedure below lets you create shortcuts to open your specified database directly. Create a separate shortcut for each of your databases.

Create a shortcut for ProGAGE v4 (PGWin32.exe) on your desktop, right-click on it and select Properties, under the Target field, add the complete path and name of the database (see example below).

Why don't I have a preview check box when printing Labels or Reports like shown in the User's Manual? (This question is NT/2000 specific)

Again, for some reason, both NT and 2000 do not allow this operation. It just prints the label directly so you have to make sure you have the correct label printer settings when using this feature.

Download the instruction for changing label size in windows NT/2000 in Adobe Acrobat format (69KB)

Why aren't my standards in order?

The most common reason for such is that all the Standard IDs are the same! Make sure you have unique standard IDs. You can change IDs by enabling edit and changing the ID names directly on the grid.

Another reason would be inappropriate use of numbers, i.e., the letter "O" instead of the number zero or the small letter "L" instead of the number one. Numbers are ordered first before the letters in a computer sort procedure.

How do I change database?

See section above on setting up multiple databases.

How do I back up my database or what files should I back-up?

You backup your database by using the Settings > Maintenance option from the Edit menu of the opening window. Selecting the Backup/Restore Database option brings you to an automated backup system. Your current opened database is what is backed-up. You can also copy the database file itself and put it in a disk or a different directory as your backup file. The path location and name of your current open database file is shown on the left bottom part of the main program window. Make sure no body is using the database when doing your back-up.

Can I e-mail ProGAGE reports?

Yes, you first have to setup your E-mail Address and your SMTP server in the Settings > Information before you can use this option. Ask your system administrator for your SMTP server information.

To email your report, first preview your report and from the Preview menu, then select File > Email Report. You will have to fill the recipient field and any other information. You will also have to choose the type of file you will since your report will be sent as an attachment. When you click on the send button, you will be prompted for a filename. When you click on the Save button, your report will be sent.

How do I change the User Defined Fields in Gage Master?

Open Settings from the Edit menu and click on the edit button so you can change the language translation table. Click on the button on the right of the Language field and modify the entries. If you select English for your language, change the entries under the English column. The field titles are clearly defined in the default column of the translation table. You have 3 other custom settings to use if you do not want to make changes on the English translation. Make sure to select the column name as your language after exiting this window.

I have a Pentium 233 MHz system. Why do some reports take so long to preview? It takes several seconds on some and several minutes on others, why?

That's normal for a Pentium 233 specially is you have very many records in your database. The program, depending on the type of report have to make multiple queries and operations to come up with your report. This takes up too much computer resources specially if you already have a number of opened programs.

What is "SQL"?

"SQL" stands for Structured Query Language. It is a defined standard format for creating query statements for getting information from your database. It follows certain formats for linking multiple table of your database and extracting specific information from these tables linked via common fields. Your tables should be properly structured to make full and efficient use of this facility.

What database does ProGAGE use?

ProGAGE uses a Microsoft Access type database and its path and name is displayed on the bottom left portion of your main ProGAGE window.

How do I import data files from a different (non ProGAGE) program?

There is not straightforward way to do it. You can call technical support and they can do the conversion and import for you.

How do I lock out other Users from changing databases?

You lock out users by changing their access status from the Edit > Settings > Maintenance menu and changing user rights to read-only access.

What is a Filter? What is its purpose? How do I create a filter?

A filter limits the records being displayed in your program - either from the grid or the records your move thru. You create a filter by clicking on the Edit/Create Filter button from the main program window. Please check your manual on how to set this filter.