Configuring AvoBase To Run On Windows Vista/7 (+ 64 Bit)

[MichaelHoenie]

AvoBase was designed originally to work with Windows XP. AvoBase's Database stores files in C:\AvoBase\Database and stores a file in the C:\ root directory. Windows XP does not have an issue with this, but Windows Vista and Windows 7 does.

Therefore, to make Windows Vista and Windows 7 happy, you will need to configure just the BDE

The Borland Database Engine

The Borland Database Engine (or BDE) creates and maintains a file called "pdoxusers.net" in the root directory (or C:\ directory). It is a swap file for the BDE, and should never be deleted. Windows Vista/7 does not allow anyone or any program to use the root C:\ directory, therefore you need to change the BDE to point to C:\AvoBase.

1. Click on the Windows Start button, select Control Panel and bring up the Windows Control Panel.

2. Locate the icon "BDE Administrator" (hint: it has a little yellow clock wheel with a gray wrench in front of it, and red stripes in the background).

3. Double click and run the BDE Administrator.

4. The BDE Administrator comes up, and shows two tabs, one is "Databases", the other is "Configuration".

4a. Under the "Databases" tab,there should be one called "AvoBaseDB". Click on it, and up pops on the right hand side a set of configuration items (Type, Default Driver, Enable BCD and PATH).

4b. The "PATH" should be C:\AvoBase\Database. If the path is NOT C:\AvoBase\Database, then click on the Path Line, and change it so it reads correctly. (Note: if you accidentally put the AvoBaseDB in edit mode, there will be a little green box around the icon on the front of AvoBaseDB. You won't be able to make changes to the database if you have put it in open mode. Simply right click on the little icon, and change it to CLOSE, and then repeat step 4b again).

4c. If you have made any changes to the PATH, you will need to save it. At the top there is a little blue arrow pointing right, and you will need to click it to SAVE your changes. If you don't want to save your changes, click the red arrow. Don't click the blue X or you will delete your AvoBaseDB!

5. Back to the top under the two tabs "Databases" and "Configuration", click the Configuration tab.

5a. Click the + next to the Configuration. Up pops "Drivers" and "System".

5b. Click the + next to Drivers. Up pops "Native" and "ODBC".

5c. Click the + next to Native. Up pops "Paradox", "Dbase", "Foxpro", "IntrBse" and "MSAccess".

5d. Click on the Paradox line. Up pops on the right, a Definition. You will see "Net Dir", "Version", "Type", "LangDriver", "Block Size", "Fill Factor", "Level" and "StrictIntegrty".

5e. Your "NET DIR" must be set to "C:\AvoBase". If it is set to "C:\" AvoBase will not run.

5f. Click the "NET DIR" line and change it to "C:\AvoBase", or double click it and navigate to it.

5g. If you have made any changes to the NET DIR, you will need to save it. At the top there is a little blue arrow pointing right, and you will need to click it to SAVE your changes. If you don't want to save your changes, click the red arrow.

That is it! AvoBase should now run!