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H E L P from anyone!!

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    H E L P from anyone!!

    First I AM NOT a programmer in any way!!

    We have used Alpha for several years - we were DOS users here and then converted to windows -

    We installed a new server and when we tried to run our Alpha program - things were incredibly slow to run and pull up files - We thought at the time it was our new server - but found out once we upgraded to I think it was version 4 - things flew through the system.

    We have version 4.5 + (Runtime) now and things were fine, but
    in the last few weeks we are experiencing a 'slow down' as more people connect to the network. This only happens with the Alpha Program - other programs on the network are fine.

    It brought back the memories of how until we upgraded to Version 4 we were taught the value of patience

    Is it possible that whatever component that made it come faster over the network back then is 'broken'??

    Testing things on the server itself - any process takes 30 seconds to sort, query, print etc. I have one computer out in the office where it takes him anywhere from a minute to a minute and a half to try and print an order.

    Ideas PLEASE

    Thanks
    Terri

    #2
    RE: H E L P from anyone!!

    Under A5 the server is just a file server. All of the processing is done by the workstation. Are you using network optimize to shadow the database? If not you may try that.

    Comment


      #3
      RE: H E L P from anyone!!

      Terri,

      I've seen slow downs when index's have been lost. Check your table to see if all the index's that should be there are there.

      Updating index's my Help.
      Have you networked optimize?

      God Bless
      Nick

      Comment


        #4
        RE: H E L P from anyone!!

        Terri,

        The things that result in slowdowns are almost always things that you've done yourself.

        Easy things to check.
        1. Look at the private directory of A5's settings at each computer, and make sure that they all point to that machine's local drive and not any shared drive.
        2. Make sure all reports do not lock the tables unless absolutely necessary (which is ALMOST NEVER!) This is on each report's properties. Obviously, this only occurs when any user is running a report set that way.
        3. Make sure your network is running fast. It should ideally be a 100 mbps with a good hub. 10 mbps networks should be upgraded.
        4. Make sure all network wires and Network cards are good. One bad one could swamp your network. If you disconnect a specific computer from the hub and the system speeds up, then that is your suspect.
        5. Never use sets more complicated than is needed for the data entry, reports etc. Links should not be used with referential integrity when not required.
        6. The server should not be shared by another user
        7. Use network optimize if possible. This reduces network load.
        8. Hire an A5 programmer to look at your application. I realize that it may not be in the budgets, but many times, the simplest things can shoot yourself in the foot.

        While I'm sure that I've left out stuff, this should give you a start to resolving your speed issues.

        Regards,

        Ira J. Perlow
        Computer Systems Design & Associates
        [email protected]
        Regards,

        Ira J. Perlow
        Computer Systems Design


        CSDA A5 Products
        New - Free CSDA DiagInfo - v1.39, 30 Apr 2013
        CSDA Barcode Functions

        CSDA Code Utility
        CSDA Screen Capture


        Comment


          #5
          RE: H E L P from anyone!!

          Terri,

          We are a fairly large organization (250+ users) running Alpha5. We have a server where all of our databases reside. We use runitme on our workstations pointing to an App that resides in the root shared directory on our server. Occasionally, we do experience slowdowns. How large is your network? What protocols are you using? Was the runtime set up properly? Has anyone run Maintenance on your databases? Alpha is certainly not Oracle, but it does, occasionally, need some care and feeding.

          Pack out deleted records.
          rebuild your indexes, removing any that you don't need.
          Run maintenance on the data dictionaries.

          All of these should help.

          Tom

          Comment


            #6
            RE: H E L P from anyone!!

            Thanks for all your suggestions

            We have 20 people on the network

            We are networked optimized - I have done compacts, checked the indexes (we have experienced dropped indexes too)
            and done any maintenance I know how to do.

            but there are a few more ideas here and we will give them a try.

            Terri

            Comment


              #7
              RE: H E L P from anyone!!

              Would you be willing to post your app out here? Maybe one of us can see something there that you may not see. More, different eyes see different things.

              Comment


                #8
                RE: H E L P from anyone!!

                Dear Terri,

                I have found trouble with database runtime programs
                whatever the maker.

                I have large databases installed at several sites
                with 25plus users. Just the program files are on
                the NT4 server. Each user has a copy of Alpha5 Version 4
                installed. This makes all the difference with speed
                and reliability. Using Run-time can lead to problems,
                the server takes the entire load and if users do not
                quit the program properly it can corrupt the run-time
                file. Paradox was famous for this in particular.

                Best Wishes
                Edward Cecil

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: H E L P from anyone!!

                  Edward, I'm happy to be able to report a different experience. Putting the runtime engine on each workstation, and storing only the database (tables, dictionaries and layouts) on the shared server, works quite well, especially after the database is network optimized down to each workstation.

                  -- tom

                  Comment


                    #10
                    RE: H E L P from anyone!!

                    My experience is the same as Tom's. And consider, how could it be otherwise given that the full A5 program and the runtime share(I believe) the same executable.

                    Bill
                    Bill Hanigsberg

                    Comment

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