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HERS Software Read Me

Highway Economic Requirements System - State Version

Version 4.4 release - July 24, 2009

Updates:

The v4.4 release of HERS-ST has the following changes:

• Item 1: Highway and Improvements data storage method has been modified to eliminate the overhead involved with unpacking the data each time it is loaded. This improvements performance and allows this data to be permanently available in the database for use in reporting.
• Item 2: The query wizard used in producing reports has been enhanced to include the ability to access the source highway data and give the user more flexibility in selecting records, fields and performing more advance actions such as filtering and sorting the data. The new query wizard also provides a simple means to link the original highway data and the section conditions analysis results together in a single query.
• Item 3: Automatic migration from the v4.3 database schema to the v4.4 database schema has been included.
• Item 4: Length of the LRSID field has been increased from 12 to 32 characters.
• Item 5: Outstanding comments, issues, and general bug fixes have been incorporated and rolled into this release.
• Item 6: Help system and user guide has been updated with the latest information.
• Item 7: The logon window will no longer appear when the application is started if it already has enough information to successfully connect to the database.

Latest Cost Data:

The latest price-index and cost information for HERS-ST are available for download from the HERS-ST web site. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/asstmgmt/hersrprep.cfm

Download the DAT files and place them in the HERS-ST default directory, overwriting the DAT files that were originally installed. C:\Program Files\HERS-ST\Default

Database:

This release of HERS-ST uses a new version (v4.4) of the database. Previous versions of the database can be automatically converted to the v4.4 schema without affecting any preexisting data. Simply select your existing database and HERS-ST will prompt you to perform the conversion. Depending on the amount of data in the database, this may take several minutes to complete.

IT IS WISE TO MAKE A BACKUP COPY OF YOUR DATABASE BEFORE PERFORMING THE CONVERSION.

HERS-ST v4.4 uses a different directory location for the database then previous versions. For new installs, this will be set up automatically during installation; however computers that have had a previous release of HERS-ST installed might still be referencing the older database file. You may choose to convert your older database to the v4.4 schema (see above) or redirect HERS-ST to the new database at the following location:

• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\ Documents\HERS-ST\Database\bcoHERS_V44.mdb
• C:\Users\Public\Documents\HERS-ST\Database\bcoHERS_V44.mdb (for Vista only)

Vista Users:

On computers that are running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008, you may be unable to open Help files that require the Windows Help (WinHlp32.exe) program. To obtain the WinHlp32.exe download for Windows Vista, visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=82148

For more detailed information about this issue see Microsoft Article ID #917607: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917607

System Requirements:

• Personal Computer with Pentium III 400 MHz (or equivalent) minimum
• Any of the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems including 98/ME/NT/4.0/2000/XP/Vista (Windows 2000sp2 or higher recommended)
• 128 MB of RAM (256 MB or higher recommended)
• 100 MB of Free Disk Space (if minimum data installed)
• Adobe Reader 6.0 or higher (to view documentation)
• CD-ROM drive
• SVGA (800x600) or higher-resolution monitor
• MDAC 2.6 or higher

MDAC:

HERS-ST requires MDAC 2.6 or greater to run correctly. If you have an older version of MDAC installed on your computer, you can install the updated version from the HERS-ST installation disk or download the latest version from Microsoft. D:\Software\MDAC\mdac_typ.exe

Technical Assistance:

If you need additional information or assistance, please visit: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/asstmgmt/hersindex.cfm