The Filpac program (FRW.EXE and associated DLLs) and data files (*.KSH) are installed only on one computer. The remaining workstations access the program via drive mapping. There should be only one copy of FRW.EXE on your network. This eliminates confusion when setting up the various workstations. It also frees users of having to update several computers when software changes are downloaded.

On the host computer or server, the program is installed the same as on a single-user computer: The data files (*.KSH) go in the C:\FR folder

The program file is FRW.EXE, along with a number of associated files, which have the extensions *.DLL and *.RDD. All of the aforementioned files should go in the C:\FR\PROG folder of the host or server computer.

If you're a network expert who doesn't like reading instructions, here's the four-step short version:

1) Map the main computer's C: drive at each remote computer with the same drive letter and folder structure. This means the that the C drive on the main computer is mapped as the Z: drive (or whichever letter you choose, as long as it's consistent) on each remote computer. The C:\FR folder on the main computer would then be Z:\FR on each remote computer.

2) Set the FRUSER environmental variable to a unique number for each remote, starting with 1. Go to the command prompt and type the following: CD\ edit autoexec.bat SET FRUSER=n (1, 2, 3 and so on). Then reboot.

3) Set up a shortcut at each remote. If you've chosen Z: as your mapped drive letter, the target is Z:\FR\PROG\FRW.EXE and the working or start in folder is Z:\FR.

4) Make sure there are no copies of FRW.EXE and no folders named FR on any of the remote computers. This would eliminate the possibility of multiple users updating multiple databases by mistake. The program and data files should be stored only on the host computer, unless the client intentionally maintains multiple copies of the Filpac database. Check first before deleting.

The current version of FRW.EXE can be downloaded from this website. This file is updated on the average of once a week as we make changes to the Filpac program. You'll notice there are two download files on the Filpac Update page. The other contains a set of companion files (with the extensions *.DLL and *.RDD) that are updated infrequently. You'll need to download and install these files the first time you use the program, or if you haven't installed them since the posted date.

Here are the instructions for installing Filpac on a Windows-based network.

1. Install the Filpac program on one computer's C: drive. We'll call this computer the Main Computer. The folder should be C:\FR\PROG, which is the default when you download and extract the program files from this website. The folder for the data files (*.KSH) should be C:\FR.
2. Set up the Main Computer's C: drive for Sharing. Double-click on Control Panel, and then right-click on Drive C. Choose Sharing. On the next screen, Shared As should be selected. (Don't worry about the name right now.) Access Type should be Full. (You can worry about passwords later.)
3. Edit the Main Computer's C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT file by double-clicking on it in Explorer or by going to the command prompt and doing the following:

CD\ EDIT AUTOEXEC.BAT

The following line must be added to AUTOEXEC.BAT: SET FRUSER=0

(That's a zero.) It's better to add this line near the end of the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If you pull up AUTOEXEC.BAT and find a blank screen, it's because you typed it wrong or because there was not AUTOEXEC.BAT file to begin with. Hit Alt-F X (or File->Exit) to save and exit. 4. Reboot the Main Computer. Enter the Filpac program from that computer and make sure it works. If installed correctly, the words "[Main User 0]" should appear in red in the lower-right corner of the Filpac Main Screen. You're now ready to set up the other computers.

5. Set up each remote computer with a unique ID number (1, 2, 3 and so on). Go to each of the other computers in your office network and do the following:

1) Set up the FRUSER variable in AUTOEXEC.BAT. Start with SET FRUSER=1 on the first computer and then 2, 3, 4 and so on for each computer that follows. The FRUSER number must be unique for each computer. The computer must be rebooted for the FRUSER number to take effect.

2) Map the C: drive of the Main Computer. (This is the hardest part if you're not familiar with Network Places in Windows 2000 or XP) Once you find an icon representing the main computer, double-click on the Main Computer's icon, then Right-Click on the folder for that computer's C: drive (usually it will say "c-drive"). (If you don't see a drive for the Main Computer, it probably means the Main Computer's C: drive isn't set up for sharing.) Choose Map Network Drive. The drive letter that you choose should be the same on all computers. This helps greatly if you're calling us for support. For purposes of this instruction, we'll say you're choosing Drive Z.

4) Set up the Shortcut. Click the right mouse button on any open spot on your desktop. A small menu will appear. Click New->Shortcut. For the Command Line, type z:\fr\prog\frw.exe . Then click Next. The shortcut name is Filpac. Click Next and then Finish. Click the right mouse button on the newly-created shortcut. A small menu will appear. Click Properties.

The Target (or Command Line) should be z:\fr\prog\frw.exe

The Start In folder (or it might say Working Directory) should be z:\fr

(This assumes, of course, that Z is your mapped network drive.)

5) Make sure it's working. When you click on your newly-created or changed icon, you should go right into the program. The User number (same as you typed for FRUSER) should be in bold in the lower-right corner of the Filpac window.

Some network technicians like to map a particular folder on the Main Computer as a drive. An example of this would be mapping the Main Computer's C:\FR folder as Z:\ (no subfolder) on all other computers. This approach is not recommended. The folder structure on the mapped drive should be the same as the folder structure on the Main Computer. This makes it easier when you call us for support.