New Install - Existing (Current) Database

If you are taking over for an existing membership director, you were probably given an existing database for the version of MemberTies you've installed that contains your group's current records. Typically, you're also given concise, thorough, and exceptionally helpful step by step instructions like, "Just install this thing and then use this database." Remember that you're welcome to contact support if you find yourself lost and without good instructions.

If you have access to the computer that is running the database you're being given, you may want to follow the instructions for Moving the Software instead. It will make things a lot easier.

Note: This procedure assumes the database you've been given is a large set of files with file extensions like "myd", "myi", and "frm". If you don't have this, but instead have a single large file with an extension of, ".db", please see New Install - Existing (Old Version) Database for instructions.

Since you are reading this, we'll assume that the installation of the software has already been accomplished. Now you need to let MemberTies know about your existing database. If you don't, the first time you login you will probably see a message indicating that no database exists, and your first thought will be, "Oh no! All our data is gone!"

If the database is on a diskette, CD-ROM, ZIP disk, or other removable media, you will need to copy it to your machine before you can use it.

Your database files belong in their own folder under the \database\ folder. You should create a new folder such as c:\Program Files\MemberTies\database\skiclub\ and copy all the "myd", "myi", and "frm" files into that folder.

NOTE: If you copy these files from a CD-ROM, they will probably be read-only. After copying them to the new folder under your database folder, you MUST select all these files and then right-click and choose Properties. Make sure the Read Only checkbox is not selected. Failure to do this will prevent the server from being able to use the database, and result in, "unable to write to xxxxx table" error messages.

Start MemberTies and wait for the Login window to appear. Decide what to do next based upon the window that appears.

Look for the dropdown field called "Database." Open that dropdown and see if your database is listed (you can use the horizontal scrollbar at the bottom of the list to scroll to the right and look at the actual database name).

If your database is not listed, choose the option labelled, "(Specify New…)" and choose OK when prompted to create a new profile. Now Skip Ahead to Step 6 below.

If the "Welcome to MemberTies" window appears instead of the Login window, choose the "Search" option, then click "Continue" and continue with Step 3 below.

3	On the Find Database window, choose the "Search for a Database Folder", then click Search.

4	Navigate to the database folder you created earlier (where you placed all the myd/myi/frm files, then select it and choose OK/Save.

5	After you select the database, the Database Profile window should open.

On the Database Profile window, provide a short name for the database. This name is going to appear in the Database dropdown on the Login window, so keep the name simple and short. An abbreviated name of your organization is a good choice. The default name is simply, "My Database", which may not be descriptive enough.

7	If you have your license information available, you may enter it now. If not, leave the license fields blank.

8	Click OK to save the new database profile and return to the Login window.

9	On the Login window, make sure your database is selected in the "Database" dropdown, then enter the user name and password of an existing user on the database.

•	Contact the previous user of the database and get their user name and password.

•	Try to log in using the default administrator account, and once you log in, create a new user name and password for yourself by going to Tools > Server Tools > Maintain Users.