Technical Support

IT Related Frequently Asked Questions.

Download the ShopClock Network Server

Download and install the ShopClock network database on the computer you will be using as the ShopClock Network Server.

The ShopClock Network Server

It is important that the computer chosen for use as the ShopClock server be up and running all the time. It can not hibernate, sleep, or be shut off or the ShopClock clients will not be able to run and will exit with an error message saying they can't connect to the server.

A named instance, SHOPCLOCK_SS, of Microsoft SQL Server Express, is used by ShopClock as its network server.

SQL 2019/2022 Express

SQL Server Express 2019/2022 are a free editions of SQL Server, ideal for development and production for desktop, web, and small server applications. SQL Express 2019/2022 are 64 bit versions. Check out the other hadware and software requirements here. The installation process is almost identical (just skip the Azure Extensions in the 2022 version.) The 2019 dialogs are shown here.

1 – Download SQL Express

Download SQL Express 2019 directly from Microsoft: Download SQL Express 2019

Download SQL Express 2022 directly from Microsoft: Download SQL Express 2022

2 – Choose the Custom Installation Type

B nstallingSqlExpress2019 1

3 – Select a New SQL Server stand-alone installation

C InstallNewInstanceOfSQLexpress

4 – Check for and deal with any warnings

D InstallWarnings

NOTE: If installing SQL 2022 Express, skip the Azure Extension Dialog by unchecking the Azure Extension for SQL Server box. Click next to proceede to the Feature Selection dialog.

5 – Select the 3 features required for use with ShopClock

E InstallationFeatureSelection

6 – The instance name and instance ID must be SHOPCLOCK_SS

F InstanceConfiguration

7 – Set the startup type for the database engine and the browser to Automatic

 G ServerConfiguration B

8 – Set Authentication Mode to Mixed, and the password to G0ldf1ng3r@!

H DatabaseConfiguration

 

9 – Check the finish page for success

I InstallationComplete

 Now there are just a few more things to do the configure SQL Server for use with ShopClock

10 - Create the data tables and stored procedures used by ShopClock to automatically back up each day.

Bring ShopClock's Admin Window, Open tab 14 Network Setup, and click on the 'Use Network Server' button.

 ConfigureTheDatabase

Refresh the server list, select this server, and click OK. ShopClock will finish configuring the network database and will then copy the local database up to the server

 SelectServer

11 – Use the SQL Configuration Manager to enable TCP/IP so the ShopClock clients can connect to the server

J SqlConfigurationManager

 

12 – Add the SQL server exceptions to the firewall

K FirewallExceptions

This completes the instllation and configuration of the ShopClock on-premise net work server.

SQL 2012 Express Has been declared obsolete by Microsoft - use SQL 2019 or 2022 Express

SQL Express 2012 is hybrid installation packages that can be used on both 32 and 64 bit computer

Requirements for SQL 2012 

  • For Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, Service Pack 1 or later is required. 
  • For Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008, Service Pack 2 or later is required.
  • For more info see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=195092

Supported Operating Systems for SQL 2012:

  • Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 and newer 
  • Do not install this on a Domain Comptroller. See KB2032911  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2032911
  • (If you are using XP as a server, download MSSQL 2005 from the bottom of this page).

 

Scripted vs Interactive SQL Server Installation

Scripted Installation Interactive Installation

The Scripted installation runs without asking for any input. Everything is installed in the default locations on drive c. The interactive installation give you the opportunity to put things where you want, but some settings are required for ShopClock to use the database. See the interactive instructions below.

Scripted Installation

Download and save it (scSqlServer2012Sp1Setup.exe) to your server's desk top, and after it's downloaded, double click on it to install the named instance (SHOPCLOCK_SS) of Microsoft SQL 2012 Server on your computer. That's it, no wizard, no decisions. Just wait until it finishes installing. 

Interactive Installation

Use this to Upgrade SQL Server 2005 to 2012 or do a custom Installation of SHOPCLOCK_SS.

Download the interactive version. The interactive version gives you the choice of either upgrading an existing SQL instance to 2012 or of doing a new install.

To Upgrade MS SQL 2005 to 2012, just click on the UPGRADE button and follow the on-screen prompts. If you upgrade an existing 2005 ShopClock instance of MSSQL to 2012, you must also recreate the Auto Backup Devices on tab 11 (Backup/Restore Database) of the Admin window. Also be sure to install the latest version of ShopClock4 or ShopClock4Plus on the server. This later step is necessary for restoring the database. ShopClock3 can not restore the database to the 2012 instance - you must use ShopClock4 or 4plus.

To do a Custom Installation of the SHOPCLOCK_SS instance, click on the New Install button.

When doing a custom installation of the SHOPCLOCK_SS instance you must include the following settings. Settings like where things are installed are up to you. 

  • /FEATURES=SQLENGINE  
  • /IACCEPTSQLSERVERLICENSETERMS="True"  
  • /INSTANCENAME="SHOPCLOCK_SS"  
  • /INSTANCEID="SHOPCLOCK_SS"
  • /SQLSVCSTARTUPTYPE="Automatic"
  • /SECURITYMODE="SQL"
  • /SAPWD=G0ldf1ng3r@!
  • /TCPENABLED="1"

After the ShopClock Server has been installed 

  1. Bring ShopClock's Admin Window up and click on the 'Edit Network Database' button. Refresh the server list, select this server, and click OK. ShopClock will finish configuring the network database and will then copy the local database up to the server
  2. Check your firewall settings. If you are using a fire wall, either
  3. then turn it off or add exceptions for SQL Server. See Accessing the Network Database.