HELP
Other help pages -
Installing and Registering
Moving the program to a new computer
Recent Questions
Note: Before posting replies to user requests I normally make small changes to the program to accommodate the request where possible. What you are after may already be incorporated in the latest version so try upgrading first. Also, recent versions have an active news page. Please check it for current issues.
Sometimes the program takes a long time to open my database?
This problem can be caused by the automatic update function. Occasionally the program cannot contact the server due to Internet or connection problems. This can cause the program to wait for a long period before allowing the database to open. This has been fixed in version 5.06.01 onwards.
When I run the program from the desktop shortcut it produces a file called "errors" on my desktop. Why?
This is a fault in the third party installer application, shortcuts created manually don't create this file on the desktop. The installer has been upgraded in version 5.05.02 onwards. Once you have updated delete the "errors" file from your desktop.
My pedigrees don't fit on my printouts?
Check your screen resolution. The program runs best on a minimum of 1024x768. If you are using less than this eg. 800x600 then you may have problems making pedigrees. An easy way to check is to choose an animal and click the Preview button. Then click the DRAG button (top left).
A form will open which allows you to alter the position of objects and text. You should be able to see all of this form including the UPDATE and TIPS buttons in the top right hand corner. If you can't then your screen resolution is the problem.
The program gets the page size and maximum margins from the default printer. Make sure the printer you are using is set as the default printer. Go to your Control Panel > Printers. To set a printer as default right click on the icon and choose Set as default printer.
There are other settings which may also help you fit more in -
Use a different orientation (LAYOUT)
Use a smaller font (FONT)
Adjust word wrap to force long text onto new lines (FONT)
Adjust the page margin to allow less or no free space around the edge (LAYOUT)
Drag items to better position (DRAG button)
Manually edit text to abreviate or adjust line breaks (DRAG button then right click on text - EDIT)
Reduce the number of fields displayed (FIELDS)
I want to move or merge some my records intoto a new database?
In the opening File/ Open screen click CREATE NEW DATABASE. Fill in the user settings when prompted.
Click Database > Import to import some or all of the records. Follow the steps 1 to 5 to choose what you would like copied across.
When the program opens I click on the opening screen and it closes again?
This is normal. The opening splash screen with the photo on it is displayed while the databases are located. Sometimes this can take a few moments so be patient and the main program should open shortly. If you accidentally open the program or need to close it down before anything loads then clicking on the splash screen will do it.
I've updated to a version later than 4.80.0 and now my animals don't show in the search list on opening (My Current Stock)?
From version 4.80.0 onwards there are different headings for status. Since there have been several formats for this section over the past few years, the program will attempt to simplify them into just two checkboxes - I am the breeder and I am the owner.
By choosing one, both, or no checkboxes you can now cover all possibilities which previous versions couldn't.
Some past option choices may not decypher that easily and you could get the result above.
If no records appear in My Current Stock -
- Update to version 4.53 onwards
- Open your database and from the main program menu click Database > Update To New Version
- Check your records. If all is not right read on -
To fix records appearing / not appearing as My Current Stock -
- From the main program menu click Database > Fix data.
- In the status section choose "I am not the Owner" and click "Go".
- Search by Ownership > All Records
- Edit the records for the animals you currently own (double click from the search list) and mark them "I am the owner" then save.
To fix records appearing / not appearing as I am the Breeder -
- If the breeder setting is wrong also, how you fix it it will depend on whether the majority of the records were bred by you or not.
Use Fix Data again to mark all "I am the Breeder" or "I am not the breeder" depending on the majority. - Then change the individual records manually.
My computer has broken and needs to be reformatted. How can I get my data back?
The Kintraks program files aren't important as you can download and install them anytime from the internet. Just email me for a copy of your key. The important file is your data file in the folder My Documents\Kintraks and it ends in the .cav extension eg. Poodles.cav
Ask your computer repairer to recover it for you onto a disk. He should be able to get to it by using a boot disk to start your computer providing your hard disk isn't damaged.
Once you get everything working again use the database restore option to put your records back. If you have used the online backup options all your data will be safely stored on our Internet server. Click Database > Restore from Online Archive to put it back onto your computer.
I've accidentally deleted all my databases and I didn't make a backup?
Not good news! But are you sure it's gone? You may have clicked the Backup button at some stage so try searching your computer first - http://www.kintraks.com/search.htm
There are programs which can search your hard drive for deleted files. A good free one is PC Inspector File Recovery.
Did you ever send a copy of your database to me to help me solve a problem? I probably have it in my Inbox somewhere so don't hesitate to send me an email with the approximate date.
If you still can't find it and you need to start again open the program and click View > Logfile >Open to see a log of every record you have entered. At least you have your info even if it's not in database format. Happy typing (and next time use the backup option regularly).
I upgraded to version 4.4 (or later) and now I can't delete some duplicate records I made in earlier versions?
Recent versions will not allow you to accidentally enter a duplicate record but if you have made this mistake in the past it may not let you delete one now. Upgrade to the latest version first then from the main program click Database > Fix Data and use the options in the duplicates section to delete or number duplicates.
I created a new user on my computer and when I log into it Kintraks doesn't display any files and asks me to create a new one?
Windows keeps each user's data separate depending on the log in. Each user only sees their own MY DOCUMENTS folder. Because Kintraks keeps your database in My Documents\Kintraks you need to login on the same name to see them (or move the file to your new log in).
I created a custom field called "Weight" but it doesn't automatically contain the latest weight for the animal?
Weights only update when saved. Weights added before you started using this feature will not show up but you can force it to happen by opening the Health page and clicking on the last weight on the list and then click UPDATE.
I would prefer the animal name to be in bold type at the top of the pedigree?
Open MY SETTINGS and remove your stud name. The animal name will become the main title on the pedigree.
I tried adding six custom field names but there's no way they'll all fit on the pedigree?
You're right - Custom field names are useful for extra information or as substitutes for the supplied field names eg. Breed, colour etc. For example you might add "Tattoo" as a field but uncheck "Tag" on the Choose Fields form. Try to stick with 4 or 5 fields in total and everything should fit. You can also edit and move text around the page to anywhere you like. More information on this is available by clicking the Drag button on the Preview page then click Tips.
I don't like the G. Parent and GG. Parent entries in my pedigree all on one line?
Preview a pedigree and click the CHOOSE FIELDS button. At the bottom there is two options to Condense the last two generations. Uncheck this and each field eg. Breed, Registration etc. will appear on a new line. To fit everything in with this option unchecked you usually need to print in Portrait orientation.
Can I get rid of the breeder name in my pedigrees?
Sorry. If there is nothing to make the program uniquely yours it will simply be copied and pirated and future development will stop. I understand that some people are the owner of animals that they didn't breed, so the program will display different text on the pedigree if you weren't the breeder. That's the best I can do at this stage.
I have many combinations of letters that I use for titles. How can I make all of them appear in red?
Make sure you have version 3.064 or later. (See upgrade page) Click the MY SETTINGS button and look at the Title field options in the bottom right hand corner. Enter the titles that you want to appear in red separated by a comma eg. "CH,GR CH,AM CH, etc." It is always a good idea to use capitals for all your titles throughout the program to prevent letters in names from being confused with titles. If you do use a mixture of upper and lower case eg. "Ch" in your titles enter a space character in your title options setting before the comma eg. "Ch ," (note space between letters and comma). Then the program will only highlight the combination if it is followed immediately with a space.
I've just upgraded to a recent version and now my pedigree is crowded with information and some doesn't fit?
The new "Choose Fields" option on the pedigree Printout is set to show all fields by default in version 3.061 and earlier. Click the "Choose Fields" button and uncheck some fields in the later generations where there is less room .This option was intended to give users the choice of leaving out fields and displaying what they really want to see. For example: If you only keep one breed you don't need the breed name to show in every generation but you may have three custom fields that you do want to display. This should be a big help.
Why doesn't the CD burn feature work with Windows Vista?
Microsoft have changed the way CD burning works in Windows Vista making it harder for programs to operate these features remotely. A solution may be found soon but for now just burn your whole Kintraks documents folder to CD. The path is "Documents\kintraks\" . Windows XP users can find the Backup To CD feature is still available and working on the drop down list next to the Backup button.
Why doesn't "Backup To Other Location" work with Windows Vista?
There was a problem here but a change has been made in version 3.062 onwards to make it work with Windows Vista.
The descendants list has the same animal twice in one list and every generation from then on. Why?
You have crossed brother and sister. The offspring have the same parents (the program doesn't know that) so it looks up the same names twice and everything is duplicated on the lists. It's just how the program works.
My program closes down when I try to open the print preview? ( I don't have a printer connected )
The print preview is a real preview of how it will look on your particular printer. The program needs to talk to your printer to get settings from it to give you an accurate preview.
If you don't have a printer there's going to be problems but you can overcome this by installing the acrobat file print driver. (See your help file under Pedigree Certificate >> Print To File)
Also click your Start button and open Printers And Faxes and check that you don't have any printers listed which no longer exist. Click on your current printer and choose "Set As Default". This has never failed to fix the problem but let me know if it doesn't.
Will the program be compatible with Windows Vista?
I have found a few minor hiccups and have fixed them in recent versions. Windows Vista has left a lot of programs out in the cold compatibility-wise but not this one. It should work without problems for many years to come.
Further help?
Please Email any feedback or request. I am always interested in your ideas and criticisms. It can only make the program better. I will endeavor to answer all emails every 12 hours.