User Problems
IINSTALL PROBLEMS
Unregistered OCX, DLL / Error 339 etc: eg “Component COMDLG32.OCX or one of its dependencies not correctly registered. A file is missing or invalid”
Older controls (dll's or ocx's) may not register because you did not login as an administrator when you installed the Scorer. Another downloaded program may have unregistered them. The recommended solution is to install again as an Administrator.
If you are an advanced user, you can manually register the control again as an Administrator. The component eg TABCTL32.ocx should exist in c:\windows\system32 folder (32 bid machines) or c:\windows\syswow folder (64 bit machines) but if not, you can copy a version off the internet. To manually register, you must run the MSDOS cmd prompt in Administrator mode. This may be reached from the START menu but is most easily accessible available using the WIN + X keys. Now do the regsvr32 tabctl32.ocx
Run-time error '429': ActiveX component can't create object
a) This may happen on a new Vista machine because the Active X files are inbuilt in Vista. A reboot of the machine may overcome this problem.
b) The likely cause is that the correct Active X component has not been properly registered as other software has installed older or incorrect such components. The simplest remedy is to run the full installation file (as an Administrator) again.
Error 5: Access Denied (after installation), Unable to execute file in the temporary directory. Setup aborted
Firstly, ensure the installation file has been saved to a file on the PC.
Before, clicking psinstall, rename to psinstall.exe and then double click the download
An error occurred while trying to replace the existing file: DeleteFile failed; code 5. Access denied
This means the installer tries to replace a file that is currently in use by another program.
Close all programs that are active and click on ‘retry’.
STARTUP PROBLEMS
System cannot find the File/Path Specified or File Access Error
On post Windows XP machines, ensure you have NOT downloaded the Scorer to c:\program file which has special privileges. Try “Run as Administrator”. (RightClick on Icon to set this). This may help if it’s a privileges problem.
Error 75 (Path/File Access Error) when started
The Error Message says “Error 75 (Path/File access error) in procedure CommonInitialise of Module modMain” or in "CreateFile". This is a permissions problem. The simplest fix is to download to a different folder. Alternatively, you can create a different installation folder, copy the contents of the old folder into there, delete the old folder and rename the new one.
Another fix is to run as an Administrator - Right Click Icon and set Run as Administrator.
To change properties, Go into windows explorer, highlight the installation folder and then rightclick on properties
You will see general tab, sharing tab, security tab ....etc
Go onto Security Tab
Set allow permissions for the appropriate group or user name.
(Usually Users one, but if running as an Adminstrator (which we do recommend) then its that one)
Alternatively, if the Attributes on the Event files is ticked as 'Read Only', then rightclick properties on the files and untick the Read Only attribute.
In a real life case, there were actually 3 files giving permission problems cdosys.dll, msxml3.dll and sccrun.dll. All had read and read& execute permission only. I was able to manually change cdosys.dll to full access, but the other two did not allow editing (greyed out - I suspect its because they are in live use by the browser!)
I downloaded a program called Unlocker (from MajorGeeks site) and used that to unlock the files. You use it by right clicking the file and then select Unlocker which has been added to the options. Finally I uninstalled Unlocker...since you dont want it generally available to people.
SCREEN DISPLAY
Continuous new Display Screens created / Display Screen Size Not Maintained
The problem can only occur with your own Browser, so the obvious solution is to use the built in VB Browser (recommended) by ensuring the ‘Use PCs Default Browser’ checkbox is unticked on the Administration screen. If you do want to use your own Browser, then set the Browser options to launch in the same screen if it is already running.
INTERNET EXPLORER
Go to Tools/ Internet Options > Tabs > Settings > Enable option ‘ Open links from Programs in the current tab’.
If you use Tabbed Browsing then
In Internet Explorer 7-10: Tools/ Internet Options > Advanced > Browsing > Enable option ‘Reuse windows for launching shortcuts (when tabbed browser is used)
In Internet Explorer 11: 'Tools > Internet Options > General > Tabbed Browsing > Open Links from other programs in the same window
In both cases, you can still open separate windows, but you do it through the Internet Explorer Tab facility rather than relaunching IE
FIREFOX
- In the Location bar, type about:config and press Enter. The about:config "This might void your warranty!" warning page may appear.
- Click I'll be careful, I promise!, to continue to the about:config page.
- At the Search area type(or copy/paste the next) browser.link.open_newwindow.restriction then, double-click on it and change the value to 0 (zero)
- click OK.
CHROME
Automatically moves new Windows and Popups as Tab to the main window. So it is never more than a single window open
- Sign in to your Google Chrome Account
- Click the following link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/papnlnnbddhckngcblfljaelgceffobn
Click the +ADD TO CHROME button - Confirm the new Extension by clicking “Add”
- One Windows will now be installed!
MICROSOFT EDGE
- Launch Edge from your Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.
- Click the More button — it is located near the top-right corner of the window and looks like ...
- Click Settings.
- Click the dropdown arrow beneath Open Microsoft Edge with.
- Click a launch option. You can choose from:
- Start page: you'll be shown a feed with local weather and top news from around the world.
- New tab page: a new tab will open.
- Previous pages: pages from your previous session will be restored.
- A specific page or pages: you can add a page or pages to open every time you launch Edge.
- There is a similar fix for all browsers
Extend Display - Scrolling Screen Size Too Large Display
You can configure the PC to use a second monitor attached to your PC (perhaps a large data projector) as an extension of your desktop. Create the scrolling results on your PC screen until it looks OK here. Make sure it is not maximised and then drag it over to your big screen, then maximise it. It should then fit onto the screen. If it doesn’t the scrolling code is picking up wrong information from your big screen. It uses the screen size to decide on the font size. In Windows 10, use Windows + P to show the four Display Modes.
Now select the "Extend" configuration. This allows Windows to use the primary monitor as normal, but offer other displays at maximum resolution that can be accessed by moving the mouse over to them. Essentially, Windows is joining together the displays to create one expansive canvas. For example, if you have a 2560 x 1440 main display with a secondary 1080p screen, your new desktop run at 4480 x 1440, but only a 1080 high on the display with the lower resolution.
- Right-click anywhere on the desktop.
- Click Display settings.
- Click Identify to show numbers on corresponding Displays (1 is the primary)
Extend Display to Other Laptops in Playing Area
You can use Team Viewer (or similar) free software to share the main PC screen. (www.teamviewer.com). It can be used to remotely monitor the club PC. The other laptops will have to have internet connection (wireless).
Internet Explorer 8/9 Scrolling – Error In Text (prompt for downloading Active X Controls)
This is because Internet Explorer 8 and 9 will present a security warning restricting scripts or ActiveX controls from running natively.
To allow the active content to run without this issue:
1.) Launch Internet Explorer
2.) Go To Tools/Internet Options
3.) Go To the Advanced tab.
4.) Go To Security and Enable option: Allow active content to run in files on My Computer
5.) Apply the change.
Scorer Screens Cut Off
On some PCs,it has been reported that the Scorer screen bottom or left side may not fit on screen. This will be a consequence of using the wrong Display Per Inch (DPI) value. Try either:
1 Disable DPI virtualisation. Right-click PairsScorer’s shortcut, then click Properties. On the Compatibility tab, select Disable Display Scaling on High DPI Settings and then click OK.
or
2 Lower the overall windows DPI setting. Open the Display item in Control Panel (or search for ‘dpiscaling’ from the Start screen) and then Set Custom Level Text and adjust th slider. You may have to click to select the check box for Let me choose one scaling level for all my displays and then chang the scale to 100 percent.
Script Error
When switching from the scrolling text results, received the following.
Line 24
Chr 4
Error Invalid Argument
Code 0
URL File :/// c:/users/Wednesday%20bridge/pairsscorer/reports/ranks5.htm
Do you want to continue running scripts on this page? Etc etc
You may also got an Error 2147024726 (Automation error) - The requested device is in use. The last of these may be a "human error" as the machine handles "Movement Scrolls Up" plus "Ranks" plus the Internet and the Program.
Suggested work workarounds:
- Use IE or Firefox browser
- Don’t minimise the browser just close it (assuming they don’t have a second screen so are minimizing the browser so they can do other things), do the other thing and then click it again on the Scorer>Reports screen.
- Use Built In Browser
EMAIL / BRIDGEWEBS / ECATS
Send Email Problems
eg Email Fail Error 32002 (unspecified Fail has occurred) etc
Error 32003 (Unspecified Failure has occurred) in procedure EMailEcatsMAPI of Form frmResults.
Nothing happens when you click ‘Send Email Results’ button or you get Error 43.
1 There are built in Emailers for Send Fault Report and Send to Ecats which you can optionally try.
2 If you want to use your own Emailer then it must be 'MAPI' compliant. In general, Emailers such as NetScape Messenger, MS Outlook, MS Outlook Express (simple MAPI), MS Exchange, Entourage, Apples Mail for OSX, Pegasus, Lotus Notes, MS Mail, Windows Mail, Windows Live Mail, Groupwise 5.0, AOL 7.0, AOL 8.0, Eudora, Incredimail are MAPI compliant. Email services reached with a browser, like Yahoo, Hotmail, etc are not MAPI compliant.
3 With Send Email Results, ensure you have recipients. These are set by ticking the ‘Email Results’ checkbox for each Player in the Player Database. Ensure the Email addresses are all correct - a fault address will cause a fail.
4 Ensure you have not set your Email Program (eg Outlook) as your default Email. You can check and correct that via START > Set Default Programs
5 Sometimes the Mail program (eg Windows Live Mail) needs to be started before it will work properly with the Scorer Email.
6 Windows Live Mail 2011 does not work with basic MAPI on some PCs! You should use WLM 2010 or 2012 instead.
7 Use the VB built in Emailer setting the appropriate parameters. This will work for all Emails...but you need to ensure you have the right settings for smtp, port etc
Bridgewebs Results Uploaded fail
The issue may be caused by a firewall on the PC. Not that the Teams Upload (for Ximps) takes considerably longer than the Pairs upload.
Ecats Upload fails with HotMail
Sending Ecats files to results@simpairs.com fails when using a Hotmail account, but works fine with a normal account. This is because older Hotmail versions put carriage returns in the c.txt, so the Ecats program can't import them. If you look at the files, you will see that there are random carriage returns. Later versions have fixed the problem.
Ecats Upload fails with Eudora
Eudora uses a separate folder to keep attachments (rather than within the Mail folder). When Eudora sends or receives an attachment with a name already used in the recipient's attachment directory, it renames the attachment! Eudora's recommendation is to to use a new, unique name for every attachment. Eudora users should delete the previous c,r,p and e files from the Eudora attachments folder before generating new ones. Alternatively, there is a configuration option to delete attachments when the associated mail is deleted from your system.Apart from that, there aren't any other ways for the user to control how Eudora handles attachments.
Results, Travellers, Scorecards Hyperlinks not working on Website
This problem may arise if you are not using the VB Inbuilt Browser in the Scoring Program. It occurs if you display the results in web table form on the screen, select ‘Save’ with the ‘Save as type’ set to ‘Webpage complete (*.htm,*.html)’. The solution is to change the ‘Save as type’ to ‘Webpage, HTML only(*.htm,*.html)’.
Alternatively:
Dont save the report. It has already been saved correctly by the Scoring Progam. Just copy the HTML (in Reports Folder) to where you want it for the web upload. Alternatively use the VB Inbuilt Browser.
BRIDGEMATE PROBLEMS
Error 3050 (couldn't lock file) in procedure BMSetPlayerName of Module ModBridgeMate.
This can be caused by Access Problems and may happen if you are using a Drop Box which synchronises that folder. If it occurs on Windows 8.1, then you should download the Windows 8.1 Driver separately.
Error 3028 (An error has occurred while opening the bridgemate database file and preparing Bridgemate control. Cannot start your application. The workgroup information file is missing or opened exclusively by another user.
This can be caused due to inserting a memory stick to import a deal and removing while the program is running. In two reported similar incidents, the fix was to delete the Deals folder which was held in the installation folder.
Test.html File popup
Every time we set up a session & input information a page flashes up. At the top it says ( c\user\bridge\appdata\local\bridgematecontrol\EXPORT\test.HTML ) if we close it pops up again so we have to minimise it.
You have the 'Live ranking' enabled in BCS. Go to Session/Report session and untick the 'Live ranking' checkbox.
Launch BCS fails with file not found
Set the BCS (and National Player Look Up file) location correctly on the Bridge Unit Scorer > Bridge Admin screen. The BCS location is the installation folder when you downloaded BCS. The Look Up File defaults to c:\Bridgmeate but may be altered in the BCS options.
PC seems to stop after an hour or two when using Bridgemate for results.
Ensure the Power settings (accessed via Control Panel) are correct. Ensure the PC doesnt hibernate/standby, and that it never switches off the disk or screen after a certain time etc
BM Entered Numbers decoded by BM’s but not in Scorer
Ensure you do not have ‘Disable Player Id Check’ ticked on Names Screen if you are using Player IDs.
Warning when you try to Create (BCS) Database for Table Top Unit Scoring
“Database Already Exists. Do you want to overwrite the database…”
This ‘BCS database’ is labelled according to the Event Number (check the number in the list of events) – not the date. If the event you have already run is ‘event 1’, and you have now created an ‘event 2’, then there should not be any problem. The ‘BCS database’ is only used for transferring information between the scoring program & the BCS controller. Once an event is finished, this database is redundant (though I wouldn’t normally delete it immediately). Similarly, if you create a database but never start receiving scores, then there is no harm in recreating it.
New Event:
On the same day, you created an event earlier (& got as far as creating the wireless database), but abandoned the run, or you deleted an event which had previously been used. Because, the Database name uses the associated same event number, the Scorer is therefore trying to create a database with the same name as that for the old event. In any case,just 'Start a New Event'
Resume Event:
However, for whatever reason, it may be you exit and have to resume an event. Here you just ‘Resume Existing Event.
Names Display not working in Individuals
Individuals are not fully supported as of yet in Bridgemate II. Names will not come through correctly at the moment. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that you can't use Bridgemates to score such an event. The problem is that, as BCS is expecting to score a pairs event, names and next-round movement instructions relate to the original Norths and Easts. However, the results are correctly stored and are correctly interpreted by IndScorer. When running such an event, its advisable to turn off name display and next-round movement instructions so as not to confuse the players.
Names Display not working in Teams
The likely reason is that you set name entry at Home Table but are running say a Thurner Movement where the fiinitial movement is irregular. There is a similar issue with UK/US Swiss Teams over two sections. The best advice is always to do Name Entry AFTER the players ahave moved...and this is also clearer to the player who can check its the right name at the table.
Having enabled 'Member Numbers' in BS Settings, and entered the numbers at the start, followed by a few scores, after a Reset Bridgemate, the Bridgemates omit the 'Member Numbers' screen and go to Board Scores immediately.
A reset brings the Bridgemate only back to its main screen, but does not erase any data from the server. So when the Bridgemate starts again that table (or any other Bridgemate on that table), it will continue where the other Bridgemate left the session. Member numbers are only omitted when:
- numbers have already been entered on that table
- a Bridgemate started a game while it was still in score entry screen of a previous session. It will synchronize the round, board and pair numbers, but will not revert back to the member number entry screen. A reset and new start of the Bridgemate will bring it to the number entry.
With all the Bridgemates showing ‘Waiting for Next Round Assign’, when we do an Update Movement, some of the usually higher numbered Bridgemates show the Assignments as either one or sometimes two BYEs? This happens mostly in large Swiss Pairs field. We have adapted to this such that when the BM moves on to show the Table and details of the next round, we instruct the players to press the BACK button and it then shows the proper Assignments!
The movement update of 100 tables takes a few seconds. (They cannot speed this up more) The movement update is performed in sequential order which means that the update starts with table 1, and ends with table 100. When during this process a Bridgemate is activated, it is possible that movement information is not available for those pairs yet. This is the same behaviour when 100 tables are added to the server: the lower tables can be activated earlier than the higher tables. As this process is a matter of seconds, I suggest to wait with your announcement those few seconds until the movement update has completed successfully. As soon as you see the report on the screen, all tables have been updated.
When a movement update is invoked, BCS will restore itself to maximum state if the windows state was minimized. However it seems that this procedure is not working on all computers. Next, it shows the report (if enabled in the Options). Once the report is closed, it will minimize again. (only if initial windows state was minimized)
On entry,Error 383 (Text > property is read only) in Procedure Form Load of from frmBridgemate. This occurred when BridgeScorer replaced by BridgeTab in tableTop unit list
What probably happened was that 'BridgeScorer' was stored in the Registry.
When you entered the Bridgemate Scoring screen, the program could no longer
find 'BridgeScorer' in the list
hence it gave the error....and cleared the Registry entry to blank.
Now when you exited that screen and then reentered, it set as default
Bridgemate but allowed you to select 'BridgeTab'.
This is an occasional problem when we change something and dont retain the
previous name.
It resloves by exit then reentry to the screen for the reasons as described
above.
MULTI CLUB SUPPORT
Scoring for Different Clubs on one PC
There are two methods for supporting different Clubs on one PC.
1) Set a top level folder for each club eg c:\Maidstone and c:\Kent and install separate copies of the Scorer to each folder. Switch between folders to invoke the appropriate Club Scorer. It is sensible to set up a desktop icon to run the appropriate Club Scorer every time.
2) Set up a different User Account (as Admin to forestall access problems) for each club.
To create a User account (eg Tonbridge BC, Maidstone BC etc) for each Club. Use Control Panel > UserAccounts in XP, Vista, Windows 7. Make each account as 'admin' to forestall any download/access problems. This ensures separate Club defaults, player database etc for each Club. Only one copy of the Scorer need be downloaded. Then you just switch between users! When you logon, you will see the choice of Users and just select as appropriate. Switching between users only takes a few seconds (it's mainly setting up the new desktop look).
BACKUP
Backups
You should backup using the Administration > Backup Scorer Data button from time to time.
The Event Data consist of
Events File (All Scorers)
Boards File (TeamsScorer, SwissPairsScore & SwissTeamsScorer)
Contracts File (TeamsScorer, SwissPairsScore & SwissTeamsScorer )
Names File (SwissPairsScorer and SwissTeamsScorer)
The Backup will be stored in a dated folder in the Backup folder.
Restoring Backups
You can restore previous Backup Data using the 'Switch Between Events' instructions below.
Switching Between Events
Use the Administration screen buttons:
Change Event File (All Scorers)
Change Boards File and Change Contracts File (TeamsScorer,SwissPairsScorer & SwissTeamsScorer)
Change Names File (SwissTeamsScorer only)
to switch Event Data. This is for recovering backups, switching between scoring different competitions and for diagnostic reports. The Events may be on the same PC or even copied to/from a memory stick to another PC. Plugging in a memory stick just creates another drive (E: or F: etc) for location of file(s)
In a similar way, you can switch between Player Databases using the Player Database > Change Database buttons.
VARIOUS PROGRAM FACILITIES
Transfer Players List to new PC
The Players file location is shown on the Player Database screen (usually called PSMembers.dat)
The best method is to export to a CSV file and then import onto the new PC using the buttons on the Player Database > Player Management screen. Another method for Bridgewebs users, is to Export to/from Bridgewebs...which is also useful as a backup of the Players file. The Scorer on the new PC may pick it up automatically if you stored it at the default location (eg c:\pairsscorer\psmembers.dat). If it doesnt, you can always go to the Player Database screen and point at it.
PRINTER PROBLEMS
Error 482: General printing error.
Scorers work seamlessly with the vast majority of printers on the market. Many reported printing problems have typically been associated with incompatible printer drivers. Note that the programs simply print to the Windows printer device and we have no specific knowledge or control of your printer. Sometimes simplifying or changing the printer settings such as reducing resolution to no more than 600 dpi can help. Network printers normally work properly but the network adds complexity to the system and can introduce a problem. One user reported a resolution to his printing problems when the printer was connected to a TCP/IP port that directly addressed the printer rather than printing through the server that the printer was connected to. Another workaround is to print a PDF file with the Adobe Acrobat PDF printer or any of the freeware third-party PDF-compatible printer devices (DOPDF is recommended). No matter the source of the PDF printer, create the PDF file and then use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader utility to print the file.
Asterisks on Travellers
Asterisk indicates that board has been played in the same denomination both ways eg North plays 2H+1, E plays 1H. Wrong declarer is a common input error by declarer so this is useful for identifying this mistake.
Excel Prompt "The file you are trying to open, , is in a different format than specified by the file extension"?
Its a Microsoft Security Issue explained on http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948615
If you just reply Y each time, all should be fine...but if you do want to clear it, try:
1. Launch Windows Registry Editor (Windows Start button -> Run... -> type: regedit)
2. Navigate to the "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\[OfficeVersionNumber]\Excel\Security" key, where [OfficeVersionNumber] has to be matched with the version number of your installed MS Office.
[OfficeVersionNumber]
Office 2003 -> 11.0
Office 2007 -> 12.0
Office 2010 -> 14.0
Office 2013 -> 15.0
3. Insert a new DWORD value:
- Value name: ExtensionHardening
- Value type: REG_DWORD
- Value data: 0
4. Navigate to the "HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Office\[OfficeVersionNumber]\Excel\Security" key, where [OfficeVersionNumber] has to be matched with the version number of your installed MS Office.
5. Insert a new DWORD value:
- Value name: ExtensionHardening
- Value type: REG_DWORD
- Value data: 0
FAQ
Teams Scorer: With some movements eg JS M132 NBL 4 Teams Circulation Movement, the names on the Bridgemates are wrong. The program is set for the entry of teams before the E/W Pairs move.
You need to set entry of teams after E/W pairs have moved. The problem is a consequence of the design. When you specify entry before EW move, the Bridgemate program uses a value to determine the initial move. However with this movement, there isnt a ‘regular’ start move from the home table i.e. Team 2 go down 1 table but Teams 3 & 4 go down 2 Tables. For this reason, its always advisable to do the entry in the Round 1 positions (after move) for any teams movement.
In Administration > Change, selecting an empty folder will cause the Swiss & Teams scorers to create the necessary data files, whereas in PairsScorer it doesn’t.
In Swiss and Teams you are selecting a Folder. When the Folder does not contain the files, the Scorer offers to create them for you. In Pairs you are selecting a File. All you need to do is to type in a non existent file name in the browse box...and the Scorer will create an empty file with that name.(I could change Pairs to select a folder...but I would have thought that less useful?)
Do the Scorers work on a MAC?
Pairs Scorer does not work on a Mac as such. However, there are many (emulator type) workarounds...used by many customers. More modern Macs support Crossover which allows Windows software to be run on a Mac. You can instal Windows 8.1 as a virtual machine under the Parallels Desktop emulation environment - see www.parallels.com. You can also use Win XP, Win 8 under Parallels on a Mac under OS X 10.7.5. Alternatively, you can load WINE (Windows Emulator) for free.