01-39 Ltr

Page 1

Software Release
Precision Collection 6.2

As a subscriber to a service plan, you are ensured that Timberline will keep your Precision Collection software current and competitive. You also can count on having a voice in the direction of the software. The enhancements and changes made to the Precision applications demonstrate Timberlines commitment to stay on the leading edge of technology, and to involve you, our clients, when we upgrade our products.

In This Release Notice Release Highlights.............................................................................................................1 Installation Instructions .....................................................................................................1 Changes in This Release...............................................................................................1 Important Ongoing Considerations................................................................................2 Before You Install...........................................................................................................3 Installing the Software....................................................................................................4 After You Install .............................................................................................................4 If You Want More Information...........................................................................................5

Release Highlights
Changes to the Basic version of the Precision Collection consist of the system changes outlined below.

Installation Instructions
This section provides a brief outline of the steps you need to follow before, during, and after installing the Precision Collection. For more detailed information on the steps listed below and critical information on compatibility issues, installation, and troubleshooting, refer to the Resource and Installation Guide, located on the Precision CD at Documents\Resourceandinstallationguide.pdf.

Changes in This Release

Windows XP Support Windows XP Professional Edition is supported in this release. The Home Edition of Windows XP is not supported. If you are upgrading to Precision 6.2, in a Windows XP environment you must: Be logged in as a Power User (or higher permission level) to use the software. Be logged in as an Administrator (or higher permission level) to install the software. Have file sharing enabled on the C:\PVSW folder and all folders that contain Precision data.

01-39 Ltr

Page 1

To enable file sharing, an administrator should follow the steps below. The steps refer to the PVSW folder as an example but, in general, they apply to any folder. 0In Windows Explorer or My Computer, right-click on the PVSW folder and select Properties. 1In the PVSW Folder Properties window, select the Sharing tab. 2Click If you understand the security risks but want to share files without running the wizard, click here. 3In the Enable File Sharing window, select Just enable file sharing. 4In the PVSW Properties Folder window, select the Share this folder on the network check box. This will cause the Allow network users to change my files check box to be automatically selected. Then click [OK]. 5Repeat these steps for all Precision data folders. Fast User Switching compatibility: The Fast User Switching feature of Windows XP may not be compatible with certain applications that restrict the number of users that can simultaneously access the software. This issue may affect the Pervasive database engine. With Fast User Switching, a new user can log on without exiting the applications opened by the previous user. However, when the second user logs on, certain taskbar application icons may be nonfunctional, not displayed, or displayed in an inactive status. This issue may be resolved by restarting the system between users, or by logging off the first user in the standard way, without Fast User Switching: select Log Off > Log Off from the Start menu instead of Log Off > Switch. Terminal Services: Terminal Services does not need to be turned off when using Windows XP. Precision and Gold Compatibility This release of the Precision Collection is compatible with the most recent release of the Gold Collection, Gold 7.5.6, as long as you install Gold before installing Precision. ODBC Driver If you use ODBC, you need to install the new driver located on the Precision CD at \Addlprod\Odbc32bt. Wintab32 Driver You may have trouble using Precision Digitizer if you: Have previously moved the file named wintab32.dll from the Pdmouse folder to the Precision Extended (or Standard) folder in order to use your mouse as an input device. Subsequently install a digitizer. In this scenario the digitizers input device will not function. To correct this problem you must move the wintab32.dll file back to the Pdmouse folder, located within the Extended (or Standard) folder.

Important Ongoing Considerations

WARNING: If you are currently using Precision 5.0 or later, remember that you must use the new File Tools utility to back up, restore, copy, delete, move, or rename files. If you use Windows Explorer to perform any of these tasks, your data files will likely become unusable.

Page 2

Note: If you are not familiar with your operating system, data files, backup procedures, or the Precision software, please contact your Timberline solution provider or certified consultant for assistance with this installation. If you are installing Precision on a network, you may want to ask a qualified network administrator for additional assistance.

Before You Install

Read this document: Read this Software Release notice before you begin the installation. This notice contains information vital to the successful installation of the Precision software. For more detailed information, refer to the Resource and Installation Guide, located on the Precision CD at Documents\Resourceandinstallationguide.pdf. Plan ahead: Schedule sufficient time for backing up all Precision files, installing the software, and upgrading your data files. If you are installing to a network, you will be required to restart the server. Back up your files: Back up all database and data files, including the pewin.opt file. If you are upgrading from Precision 5.0 or later, you must back up your files using the File Tools utility. If you also have the Gold Collection installed, use the version of File Tools that comes with Precision. Do not use the version of File Tools that comes with Gold or your files may become unusable. Warnings DOS Compatibility Do not install this version of the software if you plan to continue to use DOS-based Precision applications or other DOS-based Precision capabilities. Precision 3.1 is the latest and last version that is compatible with DOS. Precision and Gold Compatibility If you have also installed Timberline Gold, do not use the Gold File Tools utility to manipulate your Precision Collection files. Use the version of File Tools installed with the Precision Collection or your files may become unusable. Multiple Precision Versions Timberline does not support the installation of multiple functional versions of the Precision Collection. Windows 2000/XP Login Rights You must be logged in as a Power User (or higher permission level) to use the Precision Collection software. You must be logged in as an Administrator (or higher permission level) to install the software. Third party applications: If you are logged in as a User on Windows 2000 and Windows XP, certain third party software applications used by Precision applications may not function properly because of a conflict with Windows security features. Two of these known third party applications are Crystal Reports, and the Ask Me Help tab in Precision Estimating. To correct these problems, log on as an Administrator or Power User. PCL 6 Printer Driver If you are using a Hewlett Packard laser jet printer with the PCL 6 driver, Timberline recommends you install the PCL 5e driver. Most newer laser printers that support the PCL 6 driver also provide the option of installing a PCL 5e driver. (With certain printers, such as the Hewlett Packard LaserJet 6P,

Page 3

the PCL 5e driver is referred to as the Standard driver.) These drivers are available only if you select the Custom Installation option when installing the printing software. For additional printer information, see Appendix A of the Resource and Installation Guide, located in the Documents folder on the CD. Pervasive Disk Space Requirements and File Locations Note: Precision requires approximately 70 MB of hard disk space, and the Pervasive database engine requires approximately 50 MB. You may need additional space for your operating needs (to cover disk swapping and the growth of your databases, for example.) The Pervasive database engine is installed automatically when you install Precision 6.2. If you are processing Precision data over a network, you must install Pervasive on the network server. The type of network or operating system being run on the host machine determines the Pervasive engines location. The following table indicates where the Pervasive engine is installed.
Operating System Windows 98/Me Windows NT/2000 Novell Network Installation drive Same drive as \Windows Same drive as \WINNT System volume

Rebuild and Compact Data Files Before you upgrade your files, rebuild and compact all data files: 6In Precision Tools (installed automatically with the Precision Collection), select File > Rebuild File. 7Browse to the location of the data files, select the files, and select Open. 8After the rebuild completes, select File > Compact File. 9Browse to the location of the data files, select the files, and select Open.

Installing the Software

WARNING: You must be logged on as an Administrator for the installation to finish successfully. Installing Precision on a Workstation To install your update efficiently, follow these steps: 10Shut down all unnecessary services such as antivirus and backup software. 11Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive. 12From the Start menu, select Run. In the Open box, enter D:\Setup (where D: is the letter assigned to the CD-ROM drive). 13Follow the installation instructions on the screen. 14Before you can run the Precision Collection, you must restart your computer. If you are processing Precision data over a network, be sure to complete the steps in the next section, Installing Pervasive on a Network Server.

After You Install

Upgrading Database and Estimate Files for Windows Upgrade your files using the following procedure:

Page 4

15In Precision Tools, select File > Upgrade Files. 16Select the Upgrade option. 17To upgrade all Precision files in all database folders on a single drive, enter the drive letter (for example, C:\). You can enter a drive and folder location or click [Browse] to select another location. 18To include all Precision files in every folder and subfolder in the specified location, leave the Select all files in this folder and Convert sub folders check boxes selected. 19If you do not have backup copies of your files, leave the Make a backup copy of the selected files before upgrade check box selected. Backup copies of files are stored in a subfolder called PEBackup in the same database folder as the original files. 20Click [Finish] to begin the upgrade process. The upgrade files report appears on the screen as files are being upgraded. The message Upgrade Completed Successfully indicates that all files have been upgraded. Upgrading from Estimating for DOS to Estimating for Windows Note: If you are currently using Precision 3.5 or later, this procedure does not apply to you. 21In Precision Tools for Windows, select Upgrade Files from the File menu. 22Select the Convert option. 23To upgrade all Precision files in all database folders on a single drive, enter the drive letter, for example, C:\. You can enter a drive and folder location or click [Browse] to select another location. 24To include all Precision files in every folder and subfolder in the specified location, leave the Select all files in this folder and Convert sub folders check boxes selected. 25If you do not have backup copies of your files, leave the Make a backup copy of the selected files before upgrade check box selected. Backup copies of files are stored in a subfolder called PEBackup in the same database folder as the original files. 26Click [Next] to specify how you want work packages to be converted. 27Click [Next] to specify how you want DOS crews to be converted. Then click [Next] to specify conversion options for missing classes and resources in crews. 28Click [Finish] to begin the upgrade process. The upgrade files report appears on the screen as files are being upgraded. The message Upgrade Completed Successfully indicates that all files have been converted.

If You Want More Information

Help Each Timberline application includes Help, which provides many answers and instructions at the click of your mouse. To use Help, select Help Topics from the Help menu in any application. An important feature of the Help system is Whats This? Help. For detailed information about each field in the application, press F1, or click the question mark that appears in the title bar of each window, place it over the area in question, and click again. Timberline Web Site Visit the Timberline Web site (www.timberline.com) for the latest information about the company and its products. Precision Online (www.timberline.com/support/precision/ logon.asp) includes the following sections: News Find articles about products and releases and industry issues. Knowledgebase Search a comprehensive database of solutions, helpful hints and other issues.

Page 5

Files Download software updates, network patches, and other files. User Lists View a listing of registered Precision Online users. Timberline Support Send requests to software support. User-to-User Forums Tap into the knowledge and expertise of other Precision Online users. Company Info & ActivationsReview your company information, including product list, activation data, and support and maintenance plan. Training Learn more about our Authorized Training Centers (ATC) including ATC locations, course descriptions, and schedules. Feedback Submit requests or comments about Precision Online.

Software SupportIf you have questions or issues, you can contact Timberline Software Support by telephone, fax, or e-mail. Support lines are open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. You can also submit questions from Precision Online (www.timberline.com/support/ precision/logon.asp). After logging on, navigate to Timberline Support, Support Request, and then complete and send the Support Request Form.
For support in U.S. or Canada Australia Call 1-800-551-8307 1-800-120-369 +503-439-5178 Asia-Pacific Other international areas +503-439-5178 +503-439-2181 +503-439-5940 +503-439-5940 austrest@timberline.com support@timberline.com Fax 503-439-5940 +503-439-5940 Or e-mail support@timberline.com austrest@timberline.com

When calling, have your customer number available and be at your computer. If you are not on a service plan, you can call on a charge-per-call basis. Please be prepared to give the number of a major credit card when you call. If you are using the trial software, please contact your local solution provider.

2002, Timberline Software Corporation. All rights reserved. TIMBERLINE is a registered Mark of Timberline Software Corporation. Precision Collection is a registered trademark of Timberline Software Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders. English (U.S.) v.6.2.3

Page 6