Knowledge Base Article

Print this page      Email this page

ERROR: "Error accessing .DAT files. Try again"; no users can sign on

Details

Resolution

Summary:   Repair the data warehouse by running Update Workstations or WHBLDR (Warehouse Rebuilder), WHBLDR.EXE, located in the BIN folder.

What are the workstation files (warehouse files)?

On a network Pathways system, the system copies selected database files from the server to the workstation, in the C:\WINDOWS\PWAY\DB folder, so that each workstation has its own copy of commonly-used files. These files, which are ZIP (compressed) files with a .DAT extension, are sometimes referred to as the data "warehouse". Normally, the workstation copies any updated files when a user starts Pathways. Damage to either the data warehouse on the server or to a workstation's local copy of the warehouse files can cause various problems.

Rebuild the Workstation Files (aka Warehouse Files):

1. Make sure you have administrator rights to the workstation and server.
   
2. Have all users completely exit PLATO Pathways (exit from the PLATO Pathways signon screen to the Windows desktop).
   
3. Log all Pathways users off the network. (If lock files are in use, you will not be able to delete them if users are still on the system.)
   
4. Run the LOCKCLR utility to release any lock (.LCK) files that may be open.
   
5. If you can sign on to Pathways without error as an administrator, then select System Management, then the Maintenance tab, then click the Update Workstations button. If you get an error signing on as an administrator, go to the next step.
   
6. If you receive the message "Error accessing the .DAT files. Try again?" when signing on to Pathways as administrator, click No. Pathways will then update the workstations (which means the warehouse will be rebuilt). If no one is able to sign on to Pathways, go to the next step and run the Warehouse Rebuilder program (WHBLDR.EXE):
   
7. Through My Computer or Windows Explorer, navigate to the \ PWAY \ BIN folder on the Pathways network drive and select WHBLDR.EXE. The Warehouse Rebuilder dialog box appears.
   
8. Click the Rebuild Warehouse button to start running the utility.
   
9. When the Warehouse Rebuilder Utility has finished, a "Workstation update completed" message displays. Click OK.
   
10. The Warehouse Rebuilder window reappears. Close the window to exit the utility. (The utility does not close or exit on its own.) If you don't close the Warehouse Rebuilder Utility window, you will receive the error "System locked for update...You cannot sign on at this time" when you try to sign on to Pathways.
    
11. Verify that learners and administrators are able to sign on to Pathways.