Procedure for Reinstalling Water Solutions Software

Reinstalling or installing Water Solutions Software on another computer can be accomplished fairly easy. But, you will need to have your original program CDROM, your registration code, access to the Internet and a method for transferring or restoring your data. If you are installing Water Solutions onto a Windows Vista or Windows 7 computer you will need to have a Vista/7 compatible install disk from Oak Bay Technologies. If you are not sure you have a Vista/7 Compatible install disk, contact Oak Bay Technologies, Inc. Technical Support. If you are reinstalling Water Solutions Lite, please contact technical support.

It is important that you follow these steps carefully to ensure that your program and customer data will be installed properly.

If you are installing the program on Windows XP or Windows Vista or Windows 7 you must have Administrator privileges.

If you tried to install your program onto a Vista or Windows 7 computer, uninstall the WS software before beginning the new installation.

Note: We also recommend disabling the User Access Control UAC.

Vista – Click on Start, All Programs – Accessories and Run. Enter msconfig and click on run. Click on the Tools tab. Scroll near the bottom an click on Disable UAC. Click on Launch. Restart your computer.

Win 7 Click on Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Run. Enter msconfig and click on run. Click on the Tools tab. Near the top of the list click on Change UAC Settings. Click on Launch. Change the slide position to the bottom option. Click on OK. Restart your computer.

Step 1. Program Installation

Insert your program CDROM in to your computers CD/DVD drive. The installation program should start automatically. Follow the instructions and answer the questions during the install. After the install program has completed you will need to restart your computer.

Note: If you have an older version of Version 2 software and are installing it on Windows XP or Vista the installation program may terminate abruptly. In this case contact Water Solutions Technical Support 360-437-0718 to purchase an updated program installation disk. Typically $79.95 if you return your original disk.

Step 2. Register Program

Start Water Solutions. Version 2: Click on Company, Click on Company Information.

Version 3,4 or 5: Click on TOOLS -> PROGRAM SETUP -> GENERAL -> COMPANY

Fill out the indicated company information. Your Company name must be the same as indicated on your registration code card or email. You must fill in Name, Address, City, ST, ZIP and your Phone number.

After you have successfully entered your company information return to the main menu. Click HELP on the MENU Bar at the top of your program window. Click on About. Click on Register. Enter your registration code. Double-check it for accuracy. Click on REGISTER, a message will appear thanking your for registering. Acknowledge the message and return to the main menu.

Step 3. Update Software

Click on HELP -> UPDATE WIZARD. Click on the update wizard icon (single click only). Water Solutions will now check if an update is available. If there is one available you will be prompted if you want to download and install the update. Choose yes. 

Depending on the speed of your connection to the Internet the download process may take up to 45 minutes to complete.

Once the download has completed the update program will start automatically. Follow the instructions and answer any questions.

Disconnect form the Internet.

Step 4. Restoring or Transferring Your Data

On you old computer use the Backup Data feature (File->Backup Data) to backup your current data. The destination location should be a storage media that is compatible to both your old and new computer.

Using your new computer, click on File->Restore data. Follow the prompts to restore your data file from your backup source.

If this does not work check out the manual method below. If you still have problems you may call Oak Bay Technologies, Inc. Tech support at 360 437-0718 for guidance.

Step 5. Updating Data Files

After restoring your data files Water Solutions may prompt you that your data files need updating. Click on Okay. You will see a progress bar that will indicate the update progress. Once the update process has completed you are done!

Note: Don't worry if you do not see the Update Data prompt. This only means that you have been using the latest version of Water Solutions and no update of your data file is required.

Step 6. Program Options

After transferring your data please check your manual and review your program options to ensure you have such things as your default postcard format, late fee choices etc. selected.

This completes the (re)-installation on a new or old computer.

Manual Data Restoration Method

Version 2 You must use a file manager program like Windows Explorer to manually copy the data on your old computer to a transfer media and then copy from the transfer media to the correct folder on your new computer replacing the test data that comes with the new install. The most likely default data location for version 2 on your old computer is c:\program files\water solutions\sampledata.mdb. On your new computer you may find that the default location is c:\program files\oakbay\water solutions\sampledata.mdb or c:\programdata\oakbay\water solutions\sampledata.mdb. Simply copy and replace the data file on the new computer.

Hint: If your data file is larger than 1414Kb (1.4Mb) then it will not fit on a floppy disk. You will need another media source that will handle larger files. Our favorite is a USB Flash drive. Or, on your old computer you may attach your data file to an email and mail it to yourself on your new computer. Once retrieved use the RESTORE function to properly transfer your data. Version 2 software must have its data file named sampledata.mdb or the program will not work.

Version 3, 4 or 5 You must use a file manager program like Windows Explorer to manually copy the data on your old computer to a transfer media and then copy from the transfer media to the correct folder on your new computer replacing the test data that comes with the new install. The most likely default data location for these versions is c:\program files\water solutions\WSdata.mdb. On your new computer you may find that the default location is c:\program files\oakbay\water solutions\WSdata.mdb or c:\programdata\oakbay\water solutions\WSdata.mdb. Simply copy and replace the data file on the new computer.

Hint: If your data file is larger than 1414Kb (1.4Mb) then it will not fit on a floppy disk. You will need another media source that will handle larger files. Our favorite is a USB Flash drive. Or, on your old computer you may attach your data file to an email and mail it to yourself on your new computer. Once retrieved use the RESTORE function to properly transfer your data. Version 3, 4 & 5 software must have its data file named WSdata.mdb or the program will not work.