VoCATS: Installation of CMS as a Standalone System

When you install Classroom Manager as a standalone system, it operates on a single computer that accesses the executable files to run Classroom Manager and the database files that contain your curriculum (item banks), tests, and other data used by Classroom Manager. Follow the installation steps provided.

  1. Close all Windows applications.
  2. Insert the Classroom Manager CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive or insert the first diskette into drive A (or drive B). If your PC is configured for AutoPlay, it automatically finds the setup program on the CD-ROM. In this case, skip to step 5.
  3. From the Start menu (Windows 95), select Run.
  4. Type x:\Setup (replace x with the drive letter of the drive where you placed the diskette or CD-ROM).
  5. Press [Enter] to begin the installation.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Click Standalone, then click Next.
  8. Select a location to install the program files and database. (Use the location listed by the software.) Click Next.
  9. Select a folder or program group in which to add the Classroom Manager program icons. Click Next.
  10. Click Finish to view the Read-me file and finish installation. Installation is now complete. The next step is to add VoCATS item banks into CMS95.

Methods To Add A Vocats Database

VoCATS itembanks can be added to CMS95 by one of two methods.

Method A: Ready-to-Use Databases

  1. Insert the VoCATS CD containing the ready-to-use database.
  2. Open Windows Explorer; select the CD-ROM drive in the left pane.
  3. Double-click on the CD-ROM to open the files on the VoCATS CD. Look for the three files in the right-hand pane that make up the VoCATS database - cms.blb, cms.fdb, and cms.fdi.
  4. Highlight each of these files - cms.blb, cms.fdb, and cms.fdi; copy and paste them into the CMS95 folder in the left pane.
  5. Double-click to open the CMS95 folder in the left pane; find and highlight the three database files in the right pane; right click with the mouse, select Properties, and remove the check from the read-only box. The database is ready for use.

Method B: Installing CMS Item Banks

Step 1 - Copying item banks from a CD into CMS95

  1. Insert the VoCATS CMS95 Item bank CD into the CD-ROM disk drive.
  2. Right click on Start, select Explore.
  3. In the left-hand pane of the Explorer window, click the CD-ROM drive. The files on the CD are displayed in the right-hand pane. Locate the folder containing classroom banks, double-click, and locate your subject area folder and double-click to open that folder. Each item bank is made up of three files with the extensions xxx.fdi, xxx.fdb, and xxx.blb (xxx represents the abbreviated name of the item bank.)
  4. Select all three files for each curriculum you wish to install. Copy them into the CMS95 folder located in the left pane. If a dialogue box comes up asking if you wish to replace the existing file, click yes to all.
  5. Go to the left pane and double-click on the CMS95 folder to open and display all files. Find and highlight all item bank files copied from the CD-ROM into CMS95.
  6. With the files highlighted, right click, and select Properties. Remove the check from the read-only box. Click Apply, and then close. (NOTE: IF you skip this step, you can not install the item banks into CMS95.) Item banks are ready to be installed into CMS95 using Curriculum Tools.
  7. Close Windows Explorer.

Step 2: Installing Item Banks using Curriculum Tools

  1. Go to Start on the Windows taskbar and select Programs, Classroom Manager, and Curriculum Tools.
  2. Type ADMIN for the Login and ADMIN for the password.
  3. From the File menu, select Install Curriculum into CMS95. A warning will appear requesting that you back up your database. If you choose not to do a backup, select OK. (NOTE: To backup your database, exit Curriculum Tools, go to Windows Explorer, select File, New, and Folder. Name the folder 'backup.' Copy all three database files in CMS95 -cms.blb, cms.fdb, and cms.fdi - and paste them into the new folder.) After backing up the database. Go back to step one in this section and proceed).
  4. In the Install Curriculum window, select Browse.
  5. Highlight the curriculum you wish to install and click Open. (The item bank file will have a .fdb extension.)
  6. In the lower portion of the dialog box, click to put a check in the box labeled "Replace existing items if duplicates found."
  7. Click OK. Another warning will appear - "Pressing CTRL +ALT+DELETE during this operation can corrupt your database." Select OK. The curriculum installation process begins. When installation is complete, you will see the bank structure in the left pane.
  8. Repeat the process for each curriculum you wish to install. When you are finished, go to File, and click Exit.
  9. You are ready to create a unique login and password. See Logging in for the first time to open CMS95.

Logging in for the first time

After you have installed Classroom Manager, you should set a unique login for yourself.

  1. Double-click the Classroom Manager icon or go to Start, Programs, Classroom Manager, and select Classroom Manager.
  2. Use ADMIN for the log-in and ADMIN for the password.
  3. From the Admin menu, click Maintain Users. You will see User type (Admin) and User name (Administrator) displayed.
  4. Click New User.
  5. Click the down arrow key beside the Admin User type.
  6. Select Teacher.
  7. For User name, type teacher's name or CMS.
  8. For Login, type teacher login or CMS.
  9. For the password, type teacher password or CMS. Click OK.
  10. Exit CMS95 and come back into CMS95 using appropriate password and login

Assigning a Word Processor

  1. From the File Menu, click Preferences.
  2. Click Select Word Processor.
  3. Select and click Microsoft Word Document.
  4. Click OK then click Close.

    5. This page was last updated on August 26, 2005