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Manually Scanning Stand-Alone Computers Using Express Software Manager 5.x
Technical Note 1288
Last Reviewed 04-Jan-2002

Applies To
Express Software Manager version 5.x

Summary
You can run the Express Software Manager version 5.x inventory client to scan applications on a stand-alone computer. This technical note presents the manual procedures for using two floppy disks or zip disks to collect the data from a stand-alone machine and import it to the Express Library. Note: Express Metrix has a utility, the Remote Client, that automates this process.

Remote Client
Express Metrix has a utility, the Express Remote Client, that can be used to run the inventory client on remote computers, zip the files, and import the data. You can specify additional information to be inventoried by using the user-defined fields option. Express Software Manager version 4.5 includes both the Remote Client and the User-Defined Fields. For more information about deploying the Remote Client to scan stand-alone machines, see Chapter 11 in the Express Software Manager version 4.5 System Administrator Guide or the Online Help.

Overview of Manual Procedures
The inventory client is designed to collect data using a two-pass architecture, which is optimal for networked computers. For a stand-alone computer, you must scan it once, import the data, and then scan it a second time to completely gather the inventory and Year 2000 compliance information. The required tasks are listed below, and the details for completing each task are presented in the sections that follow.

  • Copy the Express Software Manager executable files to two floppy disks.

  • Run the inventory client on the stand-alone machine.

  • Import the first-pass data to an existing Express library and update the database.

  • Rescan the stand-alone machine using two updated files from the Express library.

  • Copy the second-pass data and update the database.

Copy the Executable Files to Two Floppy or Zip Disks
Use two floppy or zip disks to run the inventory client and gather data from a stand-alone computer. Use a separate floppy disk for each inventory pass. Prepare the disks as follows:

  1. Label one disk "First Pass."

  2. Place a formatted disk in the drive of the machine where Express Console is installed (typically the system administrator’s machine).

  3. Using Windows Explorer, open the Express Console folder (typically in C:\Program Files\WRQ\Express Console). Then open the Clients folder.

  4. Copy these two files from the Clients folder to the empty floppy disk:

    Exinv32.exe
    Exinv16.exe
  1. On the floppy disk, create a text file called Hdc.ini.

  2. Add these two lines to the Hdc.ini file:

    [Express Meter]
    StandAlone=a:\
    If the local path to the floppy disk is not a:\, then insert the correct path.

  1. Label the second disk "Second Pass." Repeat steps 2-5 to prepare the second disk.

  2. Verify that each disk contains two .exe files and one .ini file.

Run the Inventory Client on the Stand-Alone Machine
  1. Place the "First Pass" floppy disk in the disk drive of the machine to be scanned.

  2. Run the appropriate command:

    If the machine uses a 32-bit operating system, run

      a:\Exinv32.exe -BY2K
    If the machine uses a 16-bit operating system, run

      a:\Exinv16.exe -BY2K
    A high-impact scan will be performed until the machine is completely scanned. The -BY2K switch performs the BIOS clock rollover and leap year tests during the scan.

  1. Look for these new files on the floppy disk:

    File Name
    		Description
    i<n>.inv
    		Inventory data and BIOS information
    Applib.mch
    		Machine identification information
    Express.log
    		Client error log

    If you suspect a problem with the scan on this machine, open the Express.log file.

Caution: Do not use this floppy disk to scan another stand-alone computer until you import the data you just gathered. Express Console imports data only from the last machine scanned.

This technical note will be updated with the procedures to import multiple inventory data files a floppy disk.

Import the First-Pass Data and Update the Database
Import the inventory data to an existing Express library and update the database. During the update process, Express Software Manager compares the inventoried files with those in the Express Knowledgebase. The recognized applications are moved to the Auto-added list of applications, and the unidentified files are marked to be rescanned.

To import the data and update the database:

  1. Place the "First Pass" floppy disk in the drive of the computer where Express Console is installed.

  2. Open Express Console and open the library into which you want to import the data from the stand-alone machine.

  3. On the Tools menu, point to Machines, and then click Import Stand Alone Machine.

  4. Open the A:\Applib.mch file on the floppy disk. This step transfers the data from the floppy disk to the Express library.

  5. On the Tools menu, point to Library, and then click Update Database. The updating process moves recognized applications to the Auto-Added list and marks the other applications for second inventory pass to gather more information.

Rescan the Stand-Alone Machine
The stand-alone computer must be rescanned to gather additional information about files that are not recognized during the first inventory pass. (On networked computers, the files are marked and then automatically rescanned the next time the inventory client is run.)

To gather the second-pass inventory data, you must use two updated files from the Express library to scan the machine again. Carefully follow these steps:

  1. Identify the correct i<n>.inv file for this stand-alone computer. Note: After the data is imported into a populated library, <n> changes to keep the machine's identity discrete. Identify <n> as follows:

    1. In Express Console, open the library where the stand-alone machine's data was imported.

    2. Expand the Machines folder and click the All Machines folder.

    3. In the right pane, right-click the name of the stand-alone machine. Click Properties.

      Note: The machine name may appear as "Unknown" if no computer name is entered on the machine.

    1. In the Properties dialog box, note the Express ID on the General tab. This seven-digit identifier is the <n> in the i<n>.inv file for this machine.

  1. Place the "Second Pass" floppy disk (that you prepared earlier) in the disk drive of the computer where Express Console is installed.

  2. From the updated Express library on the server (where you imported the stand-alone data), copy these two files to the floppy disk:

    • Applib.mch

    • i<n>.inv for this machine, which you identified in step 1

  1. Place the "Second Pass" floppy disk into the disk drive of the stand-alone computer to be rescanned.

  2. Run the appropriate command with the -N switch:

    If the machine uses a 32-bit operating system, run

      a:\Exinv32.exe -N
    If the machine uses a 16-bit operating system, run

      a:\Exinv16.exe -N
    The -N switch enables the inventory client to run again. (By default, the inventory client waits one month before being able to run again.)

Copy the Second-Pass Data and Update the Database
To move the second-pass inventory data into the Express library, you must copy--not import--the i<n>.inv file as follows:

  1. Using Windows Explorer, copy the i<n>.inv file from the "Second Pass" floppy disk and paste it into the Express library. When prompted to replace the existing file, click Yes.

  2. In Express Console, open the Tools menu and point to Library. Click Update Database. The second update uses information gathered during the second pass to identify the applications and move them to the Auto-Added list.

Scanning Additional Stand-Alone Machines
Repeat the steps in this technical note for each stand-alone computer on which you want to run the inventory client. If you choose to use the same floppy disks, first delete the following files from the disk:

    Applib.mch
    Express.log
    i<n>.inv
Creating a Machine Group for Stand-Alone Machines
As an option in Express Console, you can create a machine group for the stand-alone machines. This allows you to view data and run reports exclusively for these machines. To create a machine group:

  1. On the Add menu in Express Console, click Machine Group.

  2. In the Add Machine Group dialog box, enter a group name, such as Standalone.

  3. In the left pane of Express Console, expand the Machine Groups folder to list the Standalone group.

  4. Click the All Machines folder to list the machine names in the right pane.

  5. Drag the names of the stand-alone machines from the right pane and drop them into the Standalone folder in the left pane. This action copies the names into a group for viewing and reporting. These machines will still be listed with All Machines.

Contacting Express Metrix Technical Support
If you encounter problems with using Express Software Manager to gather inventory data from a stand-alone computer, contact Express Metrix technical support or your Express Metrix Business Partner.

Related Technical Notes
9991 Express Software Manager Technical Notes (5.x or lower)