Bug In Oceanic's Current Download

[DandyDon]

Bug not Bg. http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/tiere/animal-smiley-002.gif

There seems to be a bug in the current software download upgrade. I downloaded the software from their site a couple of weeks ago after I lost the old program off my comp, but when I tired to use it, it'd malfunction then exit.

I called Ron at Oceanic, but Rick is now taking care of PDCs, and he thot they'd have it fixed in a day or two. Spoke with him yesterday, same word. I'm sure all he can do is wait on their Geeks to fix the bug and keep being polite with gripping customers.

Since this is going on, tho - thot I'd give a heads up here. ;)

[NJMike]

Don, there are other threads on this in the Oceanic forum. I've done some testing on it myself. Let me know if want some help.

[DandyDon]

Don, there are other threads on this in the Oceanic forum. I've done some testing on it myself. Let me know if want some help.
Great, wanta post a link?

Is there a fix...?

[NJMike]

Here's one link:

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=155499&page=2

[NJMike]

I know that they are close to releasing the next version of Oceanlog, also. Hopefully that will fix some of the bugs.

[Skeeter1097]

I had to send mine in two weeks ago. I talked to Rick yesterday and it is on it's way back. I should have it Thursday of Friday. It worked fine just the download was possessed.

[DandyDon]

That thread was started last summer about a different issue, but this new thread sounded just like mine, so I posted on it: http://www.scubaboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=485


I had to send mine in two weeks ago. I talked to Rick yesterday and it is on it's way back. I should have it Thursday of Friday. It worked fine just the download was possessed.
:hmmm: That sounds odd? If the download was faulty, but the PDC worked fine, why send in the PDC?

I've always enjoyed great customer support from Oceanic, especially from Doug, on my first reg set and my PDCs, btw. And I'm certainly glad I have these instead of the "more conservative brands that simply cheat you out of prudent bottom time.

Both of my Oceanic PDCs work fine, but when I access the downloaded program on my PC, I get the first box, followed by the second, then the program closes.

[NJMike]

Don, let me ask you a question or two, and maybe you've already answered it somewhere above. Is this occurring from the beginning of your using the software, or has it been running fine in the past and now it's failing?

Was it working with an earlier version of Oceanlog, and stopped with ver 2.1.2 or after installing the patch?

Which DC are you using? Let's see if anyone else posts with the same DC.

What computer operating system are you using?

Have you tried reinstalling? Is that an option? If so, make sure you don't lose any dives that are already saved. I had to reinstall mine several times before I figured out that I was doing one thing wrong - after installing the full ver. 2.1.2, I then installed the patch. This caused a fatal error, although different from yours. But all my dives were still on my DC, so I didn't lose any of them.

And finally, does this error / shutdown occur at the time you are launching the program or does it actually open, then crashes when you try to do something else?

[DandyDon]

Don, let me ask you a question or two, and maybe you've already answered it somewhere above. Is this occurring from the beginning of your using the software, or has it been running fine in the past and now it's failing?
Oh sure, I'll cover this for you, even tho Rick acknowledged that it is a known issue with no solution yet.

I had done a restoration on the PC, cleaning out all extra programs, and loaded the current program over the net from their site.


Was it working with an earlier version of Oceanlog, and stopped with ver 2.1.2 or after installing the patch?
Yep, had used it in the past.

Which DC are you using? Let's see if anyone else posts with the same DC.
Doesn't matter, as I never get it hooked up. As soon as I access the program, I get the 2 sequential errors, then it closes.

What computer operating system are you using?
XP Home

Have you tried reinstalling? Is that an option? If so, make sure you don't lose any dives that are already saved. I had to reinstall mine several times before I figured out that I was doing one thing wrong - after installing the full ver. 2.1.2, I then installed the patch. This caused a fatal error, although different from yours. But all my dives were still on my DC, so I didn't lose any of them.
Nope, as Rick said he was aware of the bug and would have a solution in a day.

And finally, does this error / shutdown occur at the time you are launching the program or does it actually open, then crashes when you try to do something else?
At the time opened.

[NJMike]

version 2.1.3 was supposed to be ready by the end of last week, based on what they told me. So I'm still expecting it any time.

The SIT interval on mine is totally out of whack. I don't get error messages and it doesn't shut down, but the SIT times are so far out of whack...if anyone looked at it after an accident, they would think I was diving completely against the dive tables!

[amadus98]

I too hav a prob with the oceanlog software....
Opens fine..
runs for about 5 min.. so long as i dont try to enter anything..lol
then spits out an error code and closes as soon as i start to enter info.
Have tried reinstalling it from disk. then patch
Then from websit then patch
both ways nogo.
Tried several times...
On a odd note i noticed that in the log there are dives but ive never hooked it up to the PDC. Also it wont keep my dive weigh in memory keeps going back to 150 lbs.
Hope the fix it soon... Thank god im not relying on it to keep track of my logs.. ya just cant beat goodole fashion paper
ver 2.1 VT-3 pdc

[Fabulous]

As posted on the original thread my problem was the same, Don. It is working fine after re-installing both the program and patch. My DC is the Proplus 2.

But I then import it into Divelog 4.0 software as it is a much better program. Mike have you tried Divelog trial version and importing from Oceanlog to see if the data is accurate? You can import up to ten dives.

Doug has also informed me that a fix is on its way.

[NJMike]

No, I haven't, Fabulous. I'll google it and see what it says. My perspective is that the less technology I can throw at it, the better off I am. So if Oceanlog does the trick, I wouldn't go out looking for something else, especially if there is a cost with it and I'm already accomplishing the same thing for free.

I will go check it out, though.

[NJMike]

Well, I looked at Dive Log. I have to admit...it looks pretty nice. And has one main feature that you rarely find anywhere in computer software these days....you can actually modify it by adding and removing items from the form.

I've only ever seen this in one other application before.

I downloaded the free trial, which for testing purposes will give me everything I wanted and so will be just like having the full version.

I had one problem installing - the SQL installation file that I downloaded from the Scubase website did not work, but I went to the Microsoft site and downloaded it there and it went fine after that.

Started playing with it last night, imported one dive from Oceanlog. Going to play with it some more.

At $50, plus lifetime free upgrades, it may be turn out to be one of the best deals I've ever seen.

Don, thanks for the suggestion.

[Fabulous]

Good to see Mike. I found the Diving Log software to be very intuitive and flexible as well.

Personally I think most manufacturers should re-assess their plans for continuing with developing their own programs and recognise they don't have the resources and get into bed with the likes of Diving Log.

By the way I have no link with them....apart from my credit card.

[NJMike]

I'm still playing with it. Dive Log calculates the SIT interval correctly, which is interesting since it uses the export file created by Oceanlog, and Oceanlog has it wrong. I think Dive Log does it's own calculation.

I am tweaking my Dive Log setup now...trying to figure out the temperature data, which does not immediately add up.

It's also interesting that Oceanlog shows the max depth on a dive to be 57', but the dive details shows 55'...

Anyway, thanks again.

[NJMike]

Okay, I just found out from a private message that we have not been talking about the same software.

The Diving Log 4.0 mentioned above is NOT the one I downloaded. I downloaded the trial version (also 10 dives) of Scubase Dive Log. I googled it after Don mentioned it and guess I just found the wrong one.

So I have been playing with Scubase Dive Log. I just downloaded Diving Log 4.0 and will take a look at it.

Two questions - does anyone know the full version cost of Diving Log 4.0 in US dollars? And second, are there free liftetime upgrades (like Scubase)?

The website for Diving Log 4.0 looks very promising. I'm looking forward to checking it out.

On the Oceanlog to Scubase side...it's been just a wee bit screwy with the Oceanlog export file and importing that file into Scubase. While it is configurable, it *seems* as though, after editing it once in an attempt to make it work (but failed), then editing it back to the way it was, it now imports the data.

For example, Oceanlog exports nitrogen loading data for 10 tissue compartments. Scubase failed to import it after I set up the fields. Because the field names ('N1' in Oceanlog, but 'N 1' in the export file) appeared to be different, I edited the export file and made the field name 'N1' to match Oceanlog.

But that still failed to import the nitrogen loading data into Scubase, so I changed the field in the export file back to the original 'N 1'.

After I did that, the import worked fine. Go figure.

[DandyDon]

All I want is OceanLog 2x to run. Anyone heard anything...?

[Fabulous]

Mike. Probably my fault. I did say Diving Log and not Divelog. I was wondering about your posts about Divelog. Anyway will be interested in your testing. I think it $49 US with upgrades.

Don. I haven't heard anything about Oceanlog 2.0 release. Did you get my second PM by the way?

[DandyDon]

Don. I haven't heard anything about Oceanlog 2.0 release. Did you get my second PM by the way?
I got one on the 27th? Sent you my email addy.

[NJMike]

I check the Oceanic site everyday, still no update.

I installed "Diving Log 4.0" last night but am not able to import the file from Oceanlog. I gave up and went back to Scubase DiveLog.

I should send Sven the export file and error message, and maybe I will. But it's just so frustrating when you install something and then it doesn't work as advertised.

So who here is using Dive Log 4.0 and are you importing the Oceanic export file?

[divinglog]

Hi Mike

You don't need to export the logbook, you can import the Oceanlog logbook file directly into Diving Log.

Sven

[NJMike]

Yep, that's what I said, I think.

First you have to export the file from Oceanlog.
Second, you have to import it into Dive Log.

The second part fails. The documentation says that if it fails, to send you the export file and the error message.

[divinglog]

Hi Mike

For Diving Log you don't need to export the file first. You must select the Ocealog logbook file, not the exported file. The logbook file has the file extension *.mdb or *.dlg. If you are sure you have selected the right file, please send it to me and I'll check the import function.

[Fabulous]

Yep, that's what I said, I think.

First you have to export the file from Oceanlog.
Second, you have to import it into Dive Log.

The second part fails. The documentation says that if it fails, to send you the export file and the error message.

As Divelog explained. Import the Oceanic database directly from the folder "OCEANIC/OCEANLOG2.X/DATA

It works

Phil

[deepstops]

As Divelog explained. Import the Oceanic database directly from the folder "OCEANIC/OCEANLOG2.X/DATA

It works

Phil

I went with Scubase and I'm real happy with it. How does Divelog compare to Scubase (feature-wise)?? (I'm sure either works better than Oceanlog)

[Fabulous]

I went with Scubase and I'm real happy with it. How does Divelog compare to Scubase (feature-wise)?? (I'm sure either works better than Oceanlog)

You are right regarding Oceanlog but it all depends on your priorities. If you only want a program with the basics then Scubase and Diving Log 4.0 may be an overkill.

Scubase and Diving Log 4.0 go about the same tasks in different ways. Scubase's link in "Sightings" to Fishbase.com is a point of difference.

The main difference is in pricing/upgrade policy. Scubase is twice the price with lifetime upgrades whereas Diving Log 4.0 has upgrades in first year but after that program upgrades at a reduced price.

[DandyDon]

If you only want a program with the basics then Scubase and Diving Log 4.0 may be an overkill.
Yep, that would be me.

I'd like to add info like location, suit worn, to the date, depth, temp, etc before I forget. That's about all the record I'm looking for. Also like to watch my buoyancy and ascent rates on the graph. Not that much.

It's great that vendors are producing products to fill needs & wants. Anything more than what Oceania is supposed to provide would be a bit much for me.

[NJMike]

OK....here's the latest, hot off the press...

I misunderstood how to import the file...so I imported the dive log file straight from Oceanlog (although the file is named "Sample diver"...another Oceanlog issue).

It imported into Dive Log without any problems.

As I take an initial look, I see the first problem, though.....

Apparently, Dive Log takes the Surface Interval straight from Oceanlog...as Oceanlog reports it. The problem is that Oceanlog is reporting it incorrectly. For example, on my first dive there is not SIT time, of course. On the second dive, Dive Log reports a SIT of 1:20 (h:mm). That is the same SIT that Oceanlog reports. However, the SIT was 1:32, calculated from the end of the first dive to the beginning of the second dive.

Scubase DiveLog reports the accurate SIT, because it calculates it internally. I will have to look further into Dive Log to see if that capability is there.

Second, apparently...the Oceanlog logbook contains different info than the export file...I think...it looks that way.

In Scubase DiveLog, I can set up user defined fields based on what's in Oceanlog's export file, which is nice. I've looked at the database file that Dive Log creates, called 'Logbook.mdb', but the tables do not contain the same info (or as much info) as the export file. For example, the export file contains TLBG numbers for start, end and max of the dive. It also has what looks like actual computed values for 10 nitrogen tissue compartments. I was able to set up fields to import all of this data into Scubase, which I thought was pretty good.

Finally, there is no Help file in Dive Log.

I will spend some time exploring Dive Log more, but the fact that it reports SIT inaccurately and no Help file are setbacks.

[NJMike]

Further comments...

There are popup messages, apparently in a foreign language...not much help.

Since there is no Help file, it's a little difficult to figure out how some of it works.

Not only does it report SIT incorrectly, but there is a small button with a question mark on it...that indicates when you place your mouse over it...that it will calculate the SIT from the previous dive.

It does this, but inaccurately. It computes SIT as the "start of the previous dive" to the "start of the current dive". This includes the DIVE TIME from the previous dive then...I checked it against my actual times and that is what it calculates.

[divinglog]

Hi Mike

Thank you for your comments.


There are popup messages, apparently in a foreign language

Please write me in a PM or email where these messages appear. It could happen that I miss one message box during the translation and it's no problem to fix that with the next update.


Not only does it report SIT incorrectly, but there is a small button with a question mark on it...that indicates when you place your mouse over it...that it will calculate the SIT from the previous dive. It does this, but inaccurately.

Yes, this is a known bug and already fixed. It will be released with the next update in a few days.


Apparently, Dive Log takes the Surface Interval straight from Oceanlog...as Oceanlog reports it. The problem is that Oceanlog is reporting it incorrectly.

I didn't know that Oceanlog calculates this wrong. But I think that it's better to import it as it is and not changing unasked the data. And I think that this will be fixed in the next Oceanlog version (I hope so).


In Scubase DiveLog, I can set up user defined fields based on what's in Oceanlog's export file, which is nice.

Yes that's quite nice in Scubase. Don't understand me wrong, I want you to look at both and choose the one that's most suitable for you. Everyone has his own preferences and both programs have very different features.

Best regards,
Sven

[NJMike]

Sven, thanks for your efforts and for replying here so everyone knows what's going on.

The message box said something like "Ergster TG". I forget exactly when it popped up but I will check it later if you need to know when. You might just be able to search your code and find it.

I have sent Oceanic an email telling them the problems I found in their export file and some descrepancies between Oceanlog and the export file. The new version of Oceanlog should have been out a couple of weeks ago, I check everyday...

And you're right, different people will like different presentations of the information. I am still comparing them.

But a help file would be very ... well ... helpful. I am, in fact, sitting here now with the Scubase help file open, reading through it. I can't do that with Dive Log.

Keep up the good work! The more choices we have, the better!

[divinglog]

The message box said something like "Erster TG".

Thank you, found it and translated it ;)


But a help file would be very ... well ... helpful. I am, in fact, sitting here now with the Scubase help file open, reading through it. I can't do that with Dive Log.

Yes, this is true. But I want to explain a little bit why there is no helpfile at the moment. Writing an extensive helpfile takes really a lot of time, especially when new features appear in short periods. During this time I'm not able to develop further improvements. And last but not least English isn't my native language, so writing large text takes even longer ;)

Sorry Don for this Offtopic talking!

[DandyDon]

I spoke with Rick today. Pleasant fellow, kinda new with Oceanic I think. No info. He said he'd hoped that a good program would be out this week, now hoping for next week. I get the impression that it's his job to be nice to customers, but he doesn't know anything at all about programming.

But I'm sure this is a major problem for the company, and that they are doing all they can to come out with the repaired program.

Unless I have a corrupted download? I wonder if anyone has downloaded from the site in the last 3 weeks and Not had a problem..?

[NJMike]

I've downloaded in the last 3 weeks, Don, and didn't have a problem with that part of it. Actually, my problems now are data accuracy, program crashing when it shouldn't, and I recently sent Rick info about the export file. Still haven't heard from him on that one.

There are two different drivers available for downloading. I don't know what the difference is, is it possible you need to use whichever one you did not download?

[cummings66]

Unless I have a corrupted download? I wonder if anyone has downloaded from the site in the last 3 weeks and Not had a problem..?

I downloaded the new version, 2.12 for me since I was using I think 2.11 before and installed it on my new laptop running Vista. It installed fine and seems to work as it should, at least all my data is intact and it doesn't crash.

[DandyDon]

I guess I need to remove my program and load it again...?

I'll try that...!

[Tamas]

Well I have ran into my first ever problem with the Oceanic software with the newest version V.2.12. It installed fine but now all my old data is gone and nowhere to be found. I made a copy of the original install dir, but it overwrote that as well somehow (unless the data is kept under a different location in the profile and not in the OceanLog 2.x directory?) so that I can recover it and replace the sample diver data.

Any clues?

[DandyDon]

I tried removing the program and reinstalling it. Didn't help.

[bperrybap]

Well I have ran into my first ever problem with the Oceanic software with the newest version V.2.12. It installed fine but now all my old data is gone and nowhere to be found. I made a copy of the original install dir, but it overwrote that as well somehow (unless the data is kept under a different location in the profile and not in the OceanLog 2.x directory?) so that I can recover it and replace the sample diver data.

Any clues?

I've never seen Oceanlog/ACI overwrite data files that were
copied to another location and never opened at
the new location. I do this kind of backups quite often
while testing/experimenting with new releases.
This allows me to re-test with unmodified data base files
from previous releases and switch back and forth between
multiple versions of releases as well.

Oceanlog/ACI installs all the application data (executables & data files)
under the install directory.
With 2.x, each dive log (diver/user) has a seperate file. (.dlg file)
By default these .dlg files are stored under the "Logs"
directory and a sample.dlg file comes with the install.
Normally, it is a very good idea to create a new dive log
for youself when you initially install the s/w by using/clicking
the [LogBook].[New Log] dialog function.
This is only ever done once, not with each new release.
This will create a new .dlg file for your dives that is
seperate/different from the original sample.dlg file.
This is good in case the new install overwrites sample.dlg
during the install which would effectively erase all your dives.

The program tracks the last opened log file in the registry
and opens that file when the application starts. This is
where an issue can sometimes arise. Some versions of Oceanlog/ACI
go in and make changes to the database or its format.
These changes happen when you start the program and are
irreversable. In some cases they not backward compatibile
which makes the data base no longer useable by previous
releases of OceanLog/ACI.
Normally it is ok and good thing, since the later release
is what is desired over a previous release.

Where this is important is in making backups of your data.
If you make a copy of your data by making a copy of the
2.x directory you must make sure to NEVER open
the logfile of the backup data file, if you want to preserve it.
In other words don't make a copy of the data and use
the [Logbook].[Openlog] menu to browse over to your
saved data to look at it with the newer release.
This will open the backup/saved data and defeat the purpose
of doing the copy.

Also, if you open the copied data in the copied/backup directory
prior to installing a new release, the new release will immediately
open the copied data file because the last used data file was
remembered from the previous install.
This also defeats the purpose of doing the copy/backup.

To restore any data files you saved by copying them, it is a
simple matter of copying the proper files back to the install directory.

In fact, if you make a copy of the entire install directory,
you can completely revert back to the previous release by
copying the saved install directory back to the proper
install directory. I do this quite often during testing and
when experimenting with new releases.
It is a very quick/easy/handy way to revert back to a
release, if for some reason you don't like the latest release
you just installed.

My method of trying a new release is as follows:
Make a copy of the entire install directory. Download and
install the latest full release (I don't mess with patches as
I've had many issues with them). I then copy my .dlg file into
the "Logs" directory of the latest install. I play with it for
a while. If I don't like it. I simply copy the install directory
of the previous install back to the install directory and
presto magico, I'm back to the previous release.


If the problem you are having is as simple as you made a copy of your
2.x directory, installed the new program, and can't find your dives anymore, that can be easily fixed.
Your earlier .dlg dive log file(s) will be under the "Logs" directory
under the 2.x install directory that you copied.
If you never created a new dive log and used the sample log,
now is the time to correct this. Simply rename the file.
Now copy it into the "Logs" directory of the new install.
Once you do this, you will now be able to open your log file.
Start the program.
You will have to click [LogBook] and then [Open Log]
in the drop down menu. First make sure the directory being
used is the new install directory and not the old one.
Click on the location drop down box to ensure it is looking
at the new install directory. Then simply click on your .dlg file
and you should have your dives back.

Hope that helps.

--- bill

[NJMike]

Bill, where have you been hiding?

You seem to know a little bit more than the rest of us.....combined!

I would really like to use Oceanlog as my dive logger, rather than buying a third party app and having to import the data. But I'm looking at two other loggers right now.

I'm hoping that the new release, 2.1.3, will improve all the issues people are having.

Question: are you having any issues with Oceanlog report your SIT times correctly?

[DandyDon]

mistake

[ocpaul]

Don,

Just tried to update Oceanlog software today and ran into the same problem you are discussing. Actually the first time I downloaded the patch I got messages that said "Could not open dive log Err -2147024770" and then "Run time error 91: Object veriable or ...variable not yet set" Tried to open various log files I have saved all with same problem. Suspected corrupted download, so tried the patch again with same result. Uninstalled Oceanlog and then did a new install of the full software. After that operation I now get the same messages you are discussing - "Error in average depth calculation" and then "Run time error 3265, item not found in the this collection."

Interestingly enough I downloaded and installed the patch for my Aeris computer (it has always appeared to be the same software with the exception of the models supported) and had absolutely no problem with it!

Guess the only remedy is to continue to wait for Oceanic to figure out the problem and fix it. :(




I spoke with Rick today. Pleasant fellow, kinda new with Oceanic I think. No info. He said he'd hoped that a good program would be out this week, now hoping for next week. I get the impression that it's his job to be nice to customers, but he doesn't know anything at all about programming.

But I'm sure this is a major problem for the company, and that they are doing all they can to come out with the repaired program.

Unless I have a corrupted download? I wonder if anyone has downloaded from the site in the last 3 weeks and Not had a problem..?

[bperrybap]

Tried to open various log files I have saved all with same problem.

Just as a reminder. Whenever you save off your log file in case
you want to recover it or try it on a new release, never ever
open the saved file directly. In other words make a copy of your
saved file and then open the copy not the original.
This is because some Oceanlog/ACI releases go in and muck with
the database format or its data when the program is started up
or when the logfile is opened.
This is done to correct miscalculated things from previous releases
such as average depth, SAC rates, SIT times, etc...
or to add new fields to track such things as pressures for multiple
tanks etc...
If there is some kind of bug in the application in the area
that modifies the database or makes these corrections, and you
you simply opened the saved file rather than a copy of your saved file,
you will never be able to go back to the original log file
you saved as the original is now modified.

The thing to always keep in mind is that whenever the log file
database is opened, some releases go in and modify it,
and that the last log file used is opened automatically by simply
starting up the application.

--- bill