Applies to network installations, all operating systems, all Planning and Assessment CD-ROMs.

This error reflects a WINSOCK report that is being passed back through the application- it is not an internal error of the program - it is typically seen when the network has been improperly configured.

Problem:
When attempting to log into the product, an error message displays - stating that an error has occurred, possibly that the server has actively refused a connection.

Cause:
The application has attempted to make contact with the database service on a remote machine. One of the following has occurred:

• The server is not available due to network failure.
• The server is not currently running the required service.
• The server is not permitting the appropriate traffic through its firewall.

To address each of these instances, perform the following steps:

To check network availability:

1. Identify the server IP address (Start>Run>command

   

   then type ipconfig).

   
   
   

2. From a workstation, attempt to ping the server (Start>Run>cmd - or Start>Run>command:

   

   then type ping [your server IP address]).

   
   
   A reply from the server indicates that the network is probably not at fault.

   To check that the database service is running:

3. Log onto the server.
4. Press CTRL-ALT-DEL to open Task Manager. Windows 98/ME users running a workstation as a server should download a process viewer utility.
5. Click on the Processes tab.
6. Click the Image Name column heading to sort the processes alphabetically.
7. Scroll down the list to processes beginning with V.
8. Check that the relevant process is present - this should be running as a SYSTEM process.
   For Exploring Science Planning 7, this would be:
   VP7_9X.exe - Windows 98 or ME
   VP7_NT.exe - Windows 2000, XP
   
   For Exploring Science Planning 8, this would be:
   VP8_9X.exe - Windows 98 or ME
   VP8_NT.exe - Windows 2000, XP
   
   For Exploring Science Planning 9, this would be:
   VP9_9X.exe - Windows 98 or ME
   VP9_NT.exe - Windows 2000, XP
   
   
   For Exploring Science Assessment 7, this would be:
   VA7_9X.exe - Windows 98 or ME
   VA7_NT.exe - Windows 2000, XP
   
   For Exploring Science Assessment 8, this would be:
   VA8_9X.exe - Windows 98 or ME
   VA8_NT.exe - Windows 2000, XP
   
   For Exploring Science Assessment 9, this would be:
   VA9_9X.exe - Windows 98 or ME
   VA9_NT.exe - Windows 2000, XP
   

   Check that the ports are correctly configured:
   If you are using Windows 2003 Server, or Windows XP as the server station then follow these notes:
   

   • Click Start.
   • Click My Network Places.
   • Under Network Tasks, click View Network Connections.
   • Right-click the connection that you use for the Internet, and then click Properties.
   • Click the Advanced tab, and then click Settings - this opens the Windows Firewall settings.
   • Click Add to open a new port.
   • In the Description box, type a friendly name e.g. Vserver Exploring Science
   • In the Name or IP address of the computer hosting this service on your network box, type 127.0.0.1
   • In the External port and Internal port boxes, type the port number e.g. 15435.
   • Click TCP
   • Click OK
   • Repeat the process to open additional ports within the recommended range (15435 - 15440)

   If you are unable to open a port, first ensure that you are logged onto your computer with administrative privileges, or contact your IT support staff to assist you.

   Further information regarding Microsoft ICF may be found on the Microsoft website.
   http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308127

   For other personal firewall suites, please refer to the documentation that accompanies your firewall package, or the manufacturers website.