LXR Software Support

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Deploying LXR*TEST on a New Computer

Prerequisites:

When a new computer running LXR*TEST is going to be deployed to replace an existing computer running LXR*TEST some research and planning must be done to ensure successful migration and minimum interruption for the LXR*TEST user. Things to be taken into consideration include:

1. Client/server vs. local install of LXR*TEST on new computer
2. Locations of customized databases
3. LXR*TEST projects
4. LXR*TEST program preferences

Hereinafter the existing computer running LXR*TEST will be referred to as the "old" computer and the computer replacing it as the "new" computer.

Installing LXR*TEST on a New Computer:

LXR*TEST can be installed on computers locally or on a server from which all users will launch a single copy of LXR*TEST.

Determine which method is currently employed, or desired, and follow the instructions outlined in Chapter 2 of the LXR*TEST User's Guide, Installing the LXR*TEST Software.

Identifying Customized Databases:

All LXR*TEST databases have a .LXRdatabase_type file extension. It is possible that all databases have been stored in a single folder or that they are distributed in many locations on a computer. All database locations must be identified so that the databases can be copied/moved to the appropriate location(s) on the new computer.

It's also possible that LXR*TEST may have been deployed with all databases residing on a centralized server from which all LXR*TEST users access and store the databases. Even if this is understood to be the case, the following steps should be executed on the old computer because it is possible that the user chose to store some databases locally.

1. From My Computer, click on Search > All Files and Folders
2. Enter '.LXR' in the 'All of part of the file name:' field
3. Select 'My Computer' in 'Look in:'
4. Click on Search

The search tool will generate a list of all LXR*TEST databases residing on that computer.

Helpful Tip: It may be helpful to generate hardcopy of the list of databases and their location. We do not know of an inherent feature in Windows that allows for the printing of the list. One way to generate a list that can be printed is:

1. Using a text editor such as Wordpad or Notepad open a new file
2. Type the following (without the quotes): "dir /s *.txt >lxr_databases_found.txt"
3. Save as to "find_lxr_databases.bat" to whatever drive (C:/ drive for instance) you want to search for databases on and close it
4. Navigate to where you saved the .bat file and double click on the file to launch it
5. The command will be launched in a command window. You will know the search is complete when the command window closes.
6. The file the command generates, i.e., "found_lxr_databases.txt" will be written to the same folder the "find_lxr_databases.bat" resides in and is launched from.

The command in that file will search the drive it is being run from and generate a list of all of the LXR*TEST databases located in the file lxr_databases_found. You can then print that listing. The command will also list anything on that machine with "lxr" in the name. The only files you are interested in are ones the end in:

.LXRBank, .LXRTest, .LXRScores, .LXRStudents, .LXRGrading, .LXRSpecs, .LXRHeaders, and .LXROnline.

If you have any questions about anything else in the generated list, contact support@lxr.com with your questions.

Once the databases and locations are identified the LXR*TEST user should decide which databases should be copied/moved to the new computer or some other location. Once the user decides which databases are to be copied/moved the user should decide whether:

1. The user wants the databases to reside in exactly the same location(s) on the new computer as the old, including drive names, or
2. The user want to establish some new scheme for the organization of the storage of their databases on the new computer

If the choice is #1, the existing databases should be copied/moved to the exact same locations on the new computer as indicated on the old computer. This may require creating paths/folder to match the old computer, including drive names.

If the choice is #2 the appropriate paths/folders should be created on the new computer and the databases from the old computer copied/moved to the desired location(s).

Depending on which method is employed file dependency issues may be of concern and are addressed below.

File Dependencies:

When you open files in LXR•TEST, other files are often needed and are automatically opened by the program. Such files are considered “prerequisite” files by the program. For example, a scores file needs an open tests file for the Scoring Key. Likewise, the tests file needs the corresponding bank file(s) open, for the correct answers and point values of questions on the test.

When you close a file, LXR•TEST stores the exact location (path) of any prerequisite files, so that these files can be quickly opened the next time you open the “dependant” file. However, if you relocate a prerequisite file, this can cause a problem for LXR•TEST. If you move files from one location to another, LXR•TEST follows a couple of rules, as described below, to determine whether to use prerequisite files from the original (remembered) location or the file’s actual (new) location:

If the file you are opening has NOT been moved:

If LXR•TEST determines that the file you are opening is indeed in the same location as when it was created, then the program will search for any prerequisite file(s) in the following order:

Look for the prerequisite file at the same location the prerequisite file was last opened (the remembered location).

Look for the prerequisite file at the current project location.

Look for the prerequisite file in the same location as the file you are opening.

If the prerequisite file(s) can’t be found, you will then be prompted for the location of the prerequisite file.

If the file you are opening has moved:

If LXR•TEST determines that the file you are opening is not in its last (remembered) location, then the program will search for the prerequisite file(s) in the following order:

Look for the prerequisite file in the same location as the file you are opening.

Look for the prerequisite file at the current project location.

Look for the prerequisite file at the location it was last opened (i.e., the remembered location).

If the prerequisite file(s) can’t be found, you will then be prompted for the location of the prerequisite file.

Here is a list of the major LXR•Tests file types, describing their purpose and any prerequisite file associations:

File Type	Prerequisite files
.LXRBank	None
.LXRTest	Requires: .LXRBank
.LXRSpecs	Requires: .LXRBank
.LXRScores	Requires: .LXRTest, .LXRBank Optional: .LXRGrading, .LXRStudents, .LXRHeaders
.LXRGrading	None
.LXRStudents	None
.LXRHeaders	None
.LXROnline	Requires: .LXRTest, .LXRBank Optional: .LXRScores, .LXRGrading, .LXRStudents, .LXRHeaders

Projects:

Projects are where you establish your preferences for the locations of your various LXR*TEST files. The Common Project Directory will typically be the place where LXR•TEST creates or opens files. Since your files can also be on your desktop or on a server, the Projects Window provides you with an easy mechanism to indicate where you want to store your work.

Projects assist you in defining the scope of your work. If you plan on building different types of tests (e.g., LAN and Web tests) or store your work in different file locations, then you should find the Projects feature to be both necessary and extremely useful.

Note: Project information is stored with each user’s profile. If more than one user accesses the computer, each person will have his/her own set of project preferences.



Each user on a computer may have defined specific projects that they would like to continue using on the new computer.

To see the Projects a user has defined on the old computer, simply launch LXR*TEST and click on Projects. The pulldown in the 'Project' field will list all projects.

Project parameters are stored in a database named LXRPROJ.mdb in each user of that computer's workspace under the following path (may be different depending on the OS of the old computer or depending on version of LXRTEST on the old computer, i.e., 6.0 vs. 6.1):

C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Application Data\LXR\LXRTEST V6

If the user would like to have the same projects on the new computer the LXRPROJ.mdb can be copied/moved to the appropriate location on the new computer. The LXR folder under Application Data will not exist until the user has launched LXR*TEST the first time on the new computer.

Program Preferences

On the old computer, launch LXRTEST and go to File > Preferences. Note the parameter settings on each tab and ensure that the same settings are set on the new computer.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact support@lxr.com.

Templates

Users may have created templates for importing/exporting tasks. These template files end in a .LXRT extension. Search for *.LXRT files and copy/move them to the same location on the new computer.

Report Groups

Users may have create Report Groups to simplify printing tasks. These files end in a .LXRReports extension. Search for *.LXRReports fils and copy/move them to the same location on the new computer.