In this topic

Back up the Database

Acquire the Update

Install Over the Previous Version

Install on a Different Computer

Revert to the Previous Version

Updating Spector 360

SpectorSoft is continually improving and updating products. We will notify the contact at your organization of updates to Spector 360 via email. If your computer is connected to the Internet, an update balloon will appear in your Windows taskbar, or you can open the Dashboard Help menu to check for updates. Updating will require these steps:

To back up the database:

Before installing the Spector 360 update, use the Dashboard Management > Jobs to perform a Full Backup of the databases.  Copy this Full Backup from your "Previous Version" to media or to a remote location for safety.

Check your Spector 360 version.
Select Help > About from the Dashboard or Control Center menu. The Dashboard About box displays the version of the databases.   

To acquire the update:

Use one of the following methods. Your serial number is required both to acquire an update and to install the update.

Have your serial number ready.
Look for your serial number in the Help > About screen in the Control Center. You can also find it in your original email purchase receipt or on the back of the CD holder (if a CD was purchased). If you have misplaced your product serial number, contact us.

At the SpectorSoft Download page, enter your serial number. You have several choices for downloading:

  1. Online Installation
    Run the Setup program directly from the Internet link. The setup automatically detects the Spector 360 components installed on your computer and updates them. Click Run at the prompt to download files, and then Run the Setup program immediately, if you wish. This option should be used when you have plenty of network/Internet bandwidth.

  2. Download Compressed Install File
    Download a compressed, self-extracting .exe install file. Once the file is downloaded, execute it to update your installation. This option is useful for updating components where Internet access is available.

  3. Download a CD Image
    Download a CD image file (.iso format) of the Spector 360 installation CD. You can burn the CD image to media and use the executable Setup file on the CD to update Spector 360 components on any computer. This option is useful when you have multiple installations (e.g., several Dashboards) to perform and do not want to use Internet bandwidth.

To install over the previous version:

Always read the Download page or Installation Notes to see if there are special installation instructions. In general, follow these steps to install a Spector 360 update over an existing installation.

  1. Have a "Previous Version" Full Backup.
    Your data will not be disturbed, but keep a copy a Full Backup at a remote location for security. See above.

  2. Start the Setup program.
    The Setup detects existing components and prompts you to Reinstall components. If you deselect this option, the prompt will be to Uninstall components. Leave the default selection to install all Spector 360 components. Deselect the All Spector 360 Components checkbox to select individual components to update or install.

If you uninstall Spector 360 before installing the update you will lose your current database! Following the update, you will have to (1) stop the Data Vault service to prevent data from being accepted in the new, empty database; (2) restore the "Previous Version" Full Backup you made; and then (3) restart the Data Vault service after the restore.

  1. Begin the upgrade.

  1. Read the license agreement and click Yes to accept the terms.

  2. Confirm your 16-character Spector 360 serial number. Click OK.

  3. Enter your current SA (System Administrator) password for the database you are using now. The SA password is required to access the current database, which will be moved to the new database instance if you are upgrading.

  1. Choose Local System or Network service credentials.
    Decide how you want to install Server Component services this time. See Network vs. Local Service Credentials for more information.

  1. Upgrade the Database.
    If you are upgrading from an earlier version of Spector 360, a new SQL Server database instance will be installed and configured. If you are reinstalling Setup version 6.2 for repair  purposes, you can reinstall the Database for repair.   

Upgrading from MSDE to the MS SQL Server Database

  • Although your data should not be compromised, make sure you perform a Full Backup of the databases and move the backup to a non-default location before upgrading the Database.

  • The new Setup (sp360setup62.exe) program will install a full version of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express OR Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard.

  • Your existing data will be moved to the new databases.

  • The Setup program will then REMOVE the previous installation of MSDE.

  • You will define a new SA password if your current SA password does not follow the new, stricter password rules.

  • If you are installing MS SQL Server 2005 Express, a SpectorSoft Job Agent service is also installed.

  • To ensure database compatibility, be sure to install the latest SQL Server and Spector 360 Databases on your server BEFORE you update the Dashboard.

  1. A message prompts you to upgrade Spector 360 Databases to the latest version. If necessary, the Setup installs the new version of Microsoft SQL Server and the Spector 360 Databases. See Installing the Databases with SQL Server Express or Installing the Databases with Full SQL Server for detailed instructions. If the correct version of SQL Server is already installed, Setup installs only the Spector 360 Databases. Click Next.

  2. If you are prompted to download files, compare the "Current" version installed to the "New" version available from the web site. If the New version is a higher number, make sure you are connected to the Internet, check the option, and select Next to download the files. Wait as the files are downloaded and the SQL Server restarts.   

  3. If all files are current, you have the option of skipping this step. Click Yes to continue reinstalling, or No to skip this component and proceed to reinstall other components.

  4. If you are upgrading from an earlier version of Spector 360, you are prompted to uninstall MSDE. Respond Yes to this prompt. If you are reinstalling over the same Microsoft SQL Server 2005 database installed before, you are not prompted to uninstall.

  5. Enter a NEW System Administrator (SA) password. This password automatically replaces your previous SA password in the new SQL Server 2005 database instance.


    The password must be six characters long and include three of the four following criteria.  A message appears if the password does not meet the criteria.
    1. Uppercase letters
    2. Lowercase letters
    3. Numbers
    4. Non-alphabetic characters, such as # ^  _  -

    Click Next to continue.

Do not use the following reserved characters in the System Administrator password: / | ' " [ ] { } ( ) , ; ? * ! @ $ \ . or <space>.

  1.  Wait for Setup to download, extract, and configure the files. Click Next. Setup checks for space, executes scripts, and tests the Microsoft SQL Server services.



    Following the SQL Server Database setup, the Spector 360 Databases are upgraded and all previous data is moved into the new database. The old MSDE SQL Server database instance is removed.

  2. If you are reinstalling SQL Server 2005 Express, you are prompted to Repair or Remove Spector 360 SQL Agent. Select Repair and Finish.

  1. Upgrade all Dashboards.
    Use the new Setup version 6.2 program to update the Dashboard at the Administrator station (where the Databases are installed) and at each computer where the Dashboard is used. Make sure you test the updated Dashboard for connection to the Spector 360 Database at each computer. Remember to use the NEW SA password to open the Dashboard.

  1. If you are installing the same version that already exists on a computer, you are prompted to Repair or Reinstall the component. Use Reinstall if the installation has been compromised.

  2. Click Finish when the Dashboard is successfully installed.

Updated Dashboard Profile

When you update the Dashboard application, the Dashboard profile (folders of predefined charts, reports, and data forms as well as default criteria settings) may also be updated. When the Dashboard is started after an upgrade, the user has an option to save the new profile settings to a separate folder. By choosing this option, the Dashboard user does not overwrite customized charts and criteria settings. See the Spector 360 Dashboard Guide.   

  1. Upgrade Server Components.
    Use the Setup program to update any or all Server Components. Upgrading is similar to the initial installation. Click each for complete steps.

Control Center

  1. Click OK to install the Control Center service.

  2. If you supplied Network Credentials for the SQL Server, you have the opportunity to use the same credentials for the Control Center. Click Yes to reuse the credentials, or No to enter different Network Credentials. Use credentials for a Domain Administrator account, or any Administrator user account that exists on ALL Client computers.

Primary Server

  1. Select where to set up the Primary Server:

    On This Computer     - Installs it on the current computer.
    Install on Another Computer     - Installs on the network computer you name.
    Primary Server is Already Installed     - Skips this installation and relies on the server installed on the computer you name. For a complete Spector 360 upgrade, you should reinstall the Primary Server.

  2. If you are not using the Local System Account for this service, click the Credentials button. Supply Network Credentials and click OK.

  3. You are prompted to stop the current Primary Server. Click Yes. Clicking No exits the Setup.

 

Data Vault Server

  1. Specify the computer where Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (or 2005 Express) is installed. If you have just upgraded the database, the computer name appears in this panel. If you are setting up Server Components on another computer, type or Browse to the computer on the network where SQL Server is installed. Click Next.

  2. Select where to set up the Data Vault service:
    On This Computer     - Installs it on the current computer.
    Install on Another Computer     - Installs it on the network computer you name.
    Primary Server is Already Installed     - Skips this installation and relies on the server installed on the computer you name. It is recommended to reinstall the Primary Server for a complete Spector 360 upgrade.

  3. If you are not using the Local System Account for this service, click the Credentials button. Supply Network Credentials with permission to access the Database computer, and click OK.

  4. Click Next.

  5. You are prompted to stop the current Data Vault. Click Yes. Clicking No exits the Setup.

On a Windows Firewall enabled computer, an exception is automatically added at Port 16769 for the Spector 360 Data Vault (DV) service.

 

Web Filter Server

  1. Select where to set up the Primary Server:
    On This Computer     - Installs it on the current computer.
    Install on Another Computer     - Installs on the network computer you name.
    Web Filter Server is Already Installed     - Skips this installation and relies on the server installed on the computer you name. It is recommended to reinstall the Primary Server for a complete Spector 360 upgrade.

  2. If you are not using the Local System Account for this service, click the Credentials button. Supply Network Credentials and click OK.

  3. You are prompted to stop the current Web Filter Server. Click Yes. Clicking No exits the Setup.

On a Windows Firewall enabled computer, an exception is automatically added at Port 16771 for the Spector 360 Web Filter Server (WFS).

 

Wait for all Server files to download and install. When the installation is complete, the Spector 360 Post Installation Notes appear. Print and close the notes.

  1. Re-initialize or re-install the Clients.
    Use the Control Center to re-install the Clients. You can use your previous settings (.ini) file. See Installing the Client or the Spector 360 Administrator Guide.   

To install the new version on a separate computer:

You may want to test the new version of Spector 360 on a separate computer before switching over to it completely. To do this, install the update on a separate computer, leaving your old installation intact. Restore a backup of the data at the new computer, and try a few ongoing Client computers. When you are ready, move all Clients over to the new installation and uninstall the old version.

Because only one Primary Server can be running at once for one serial number, you will need to request a temporary, second serial number from SpectorSoft support.

  1. Check the requirements.
    Make sure the new computer can handle all Server Components and databases.

  2. If necessary, obtain a temporary serial number.
    If you want to keep the older version up and running while you try the new version obtain your second serial number by clicking the link in the box above.

  3. Perform a "Previous Version" Full Backup.
    Use your existing Dashboard Jobs Management to back up the database. See the Spector 360 Dashboard Guide.

  4. Start the Setup Program.
    On a separate computer, you will be performing a fresh installation. We recommend installing all Server Components plus a Dashboard on a single, "Administrator" computer.

  5. Install.
    Follow instructions in Installing the 360 Server Components. Use your temporary, second serial number.

  6. Restore the data.
    When the installation is complete, copy the "Previous Version" Full Backup to the new computer's hard drive. Use the new Dashboard Backup and Restore Management to restore the Full Backup. Right-click and select Browse Folder for Restore to locate the Full Backup folder. Wait several minutes, then use Refresh to verify that data has been restored. See the Spector 360 Dashboard Guide.

  7. Test the installation.
    Following the installation, make sure the Server Components are working as expected. Open the Dashboard and make sure your database is still accessible and new data is being received from the Clients. No other changes should be necessary.

  8. Update all Dashboards.
    Make sure you re-install the Dashboard at all computers where it is installed. Test the updated Dashboard for connection to the Spector 360 Database.

  9. Re-initialize Clients.
    Because the Data Vault is now on a new computer, you need to change the Client - Server communication settings. Open the Control Center, and select Configure Computers. Select the Clients as a group or individually and adjust the Client Settings for Server Communication. Use the name and address of the new computer. See the Spector 360 Administrator Guide.  When prompted, re-initialize the Clients.

  10. Share the File Storage Folder.
    On the new computer, you will need to "share" the Data Vault's File Storage area (C:\Spector360Data) for Dashboard users so that they will be able to view Email Attachments and Screen Snapshots. You can use the same share name as you used before. See Sharing the File Storage Folder.

  11. Uninstall one version.
    When you are ready to move to the updated version, uninstall the previous version. Contact SpectorSoft support to cancel the second serial number. If you decide to revert to the previous version, uninstall the new version and contact SpectorSoft.

To revert to the previous version:

It's possible to revert back to the previous Spector 360 if you are not comfortable with the new version, but you MUST restore the "Previous Version" Full Backup. A backup from the newer version will not work with an older Spector 360.

  1. Uninstall the new version
    Follow instructions in Uninstalling 360 Components to remove the new version.

  2. Install the older version.
    Install     the older version from your previous Install CD or download. You will need to re-register your serial number and obtain a new unlock code.

  3. Restore the "Previous Version" Full Backup.
    Use the older Dashboard (Jobs Management) to perform a Restore of the "Previous Version" Backup data. You cannot restore a backup from a new version of Spector 360. Click Refresh to verify that data has been restored. See the Spector 360 Dashboard Guide.

Related Topics

Uninstalling 360 Components

Installing the Client

Adding Client Licenses