Frequently Asked Questions About COMET
Jump to Questions: Data Entry | Networks | System Issues
Data entry
Q: I keep getting an error message when I try to type a new volunteer's name in a dropdown box in the Child Information section.
Q: Why are there no children appearing in the dropdown lists in my Hearing Information section? I know I entered the children in the Child Information section.
Q: Why don’t I see the hearings I entered on the Upcoming Hearings report?
Q: I am trying to assign a placement in a hearing to a child, but the child’s name will not show up in the dropdown box.
Q: How can I re-open a child’s case that was previously closed?
Q: How can I change the reports in the Report section in COMET?
Q: I am trying to arrive at the total number of children served in a three year period including cases that were open during that time but are now closed. Can you lead me to the right screen or steps to do this?
Q: When we run the "Demographics of Assigned Children" report (summary) it shows 177 children w/ volunteers for the year. When we run the report for "Annual Program Survey Section Four: Children" it shows 160 children served by program for the same time period. Why are we getting the difference? I thought these numbers would be the same.
Q: Is there training available on using COMET?
Q: I need a report not available in COMET can I get a custom report?
Network issues (Some answers may require familiarity with networking, if you are unsure of the answer contact COMET Tech support)
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Q: How does COMET work on a network?
Q: We are on a network and one of our computers can’t view the data in COMET.
Q: Why am I asked for the connection source every time I open COMET?
Q: How can I back up COMET so that I won’t lose any data?
Q: What is needed to run COMETV on a network ?
Q: When I use the automatic linking feature to link my workstation to the comet data on the network nothing seems to happen, it just seems to hang up and think about it.
Q: When I go to the Hearings Information Screen (or other information screens) it is completely blank. What’s going on?.
Q: I try to open COMET and I get an “Unrecognized Database format” message. What do I do now?
Q: One workstation is not working it keeps dropping COMET data or shutting down.
Q: Tips for better running COMET on a network
System Issues (Some answers may require familiarity with MS Access, if you are unsure of the answer contact COMET Tech support)
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Q: Why do I need MS Office Service Pack Updates?
Q: How can I back up COMET so that I won’t lose any data?
Q:What is needed to run COMET ?
Q: How do I put a short cut to COMET on my desktop?
Q: Is it possible to take data from my old database and put it into COMET?
Q: How do I find out what version of Access I have?
Q: I am getting “unsafe expressions” or “enter parameter values” when trying to start COMET.
Answers
I keep getting an error message when I try to type a new volunteer’s name in a dropdown box in the Child Information section.
Press the escape key to cancel your entry. You probably have learned that you can enter some new list items directly into the dropdown boxes. However, you must enter any new volunteers by clicking on the "New Volunteer" button above the volunteer dropdown box in the Volunteer tab in the Child Information section. In general, no new persons can be entered in the dropdown lists. You will be able to enter new list items only if you see a list number after the text box description.
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Why are there no children appearing in the dropdown lists in my Hearing Information section? I know I entered the children in the Child Information section.?
In COMET each hearing must be connected to a child’s petition. You must first enter the petition information in the Child Information section under the Petitions tab. Then, after the Hearing Information tab is filled out, go to the Involves tab in the Hearing section and make sure to select the family member involved in the hearing and the child or children involved in the hearing.
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Why don’t I see the hearings I entered on the Upcoming Hearings report?
Each hearing in COMET must be connected to a child’s petition. Make sure to enter petition information in the Petitions tab in the Child Information section. Also, in the Hearing information section under Involves information, make sure that the child’s name and petition information are shown in the Involves tab. Upcoming hearings are also based on Hearings that are happening after today’s date.
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I am trying to assign a placement in a hearing to a child, but the child’s name will not show up in the dropdown box.
Each hearing in COMET must be connected to a child’s petition. Make sure to enter petition information in the Petitions tab in the Child Information section. In the Hearing information section under Involves information, make sure that the child’s name and petition information are shown in the Involves tab. Once this information is entered into the hearing go back to the placement section and select the child from the dropdown box.
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How can I re-open a child’s case that was previously closed?
In COMET has a feature a Re-Open Button on the Closing information screen. This button allows you to track a child’s original opening and closing dates. For re-entering a child/group into your database, you may also want to enter the original opening and closing information into the notes sections. The new date that the child came back into the program will now show in the Case Information Screen along with the original date below. Some CASA/GAL programs also put an indicator like a number on the child’s/group name to indicate they are a returning group. Example: (Boyd –2)
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How can I change the reports in the Report section in COMET?
It is not possible to change the reports in COMET but it is possible to export COMET report s to MS Word format. Just click on the "Publish it to MS Word" on the toolbar at the top. Also sample reports are available for more information contact COMET Technical Support.
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I am trying to arrive at the total number of children served in a three year period including cases that were open during that time but are now closed. Can you lead me to the right screen or steps to do this?
Use the Child Demographics report under the Current/Closed cases tab.
1. Go to the Report Menu and select the Current Closed cases tab.
2. Enter in the range of time you want to see the children.
3. Then select the Child Demographics (by date) report and select Active children button
4. Select Preview Summary report to see totals of children or select Preview Detail Report to see list of names.
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When we run the "Demographics of Assigned Children" report (summary) it shows 177 children w/ volunteers for the year. When we run the report for "Annual Program Survey Section Four: Children" it shows 160 children served by program for the same time period. Why are we getting the difference? I thought these numbers would be the same.
Demographics for Assigned Children report will show all active children as assigned to volunteers during that date range. The Survey report is looking at only new children assigned to the program during that year or Date Range that were assigned to volunteers.
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Is their training available on using COMET?
Yes, check the training modules on the training page for details.
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I need a report not available in COMET can I get a custom report?
It is possible to build customized queries and reports in the COMET Tools file. Because COMET Tools links to your data file, any query or report created in COMET Tools will display your most current data.
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COMET FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Networking questions
How does COMET work on a Network?
The COMET system is a split Access database, basically two Access files linked together to share information. How to setup COMET on workstation (link).
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We are on a network and one of our computers can’t view the data in Comet.
You will need to re-link that computer to the CometDB data file that serves as your data source. Print and follow the COMET Technical Support instructions on Re-linking to the comet data. The link to the main data file could have been broken if the computer storing the comet data file was shut down while someone else was in COMET or if someone on the network shut down their computer without exiting properly out of Comet first.
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Why am I asked for the connection source every time I open COMET?
You may not have any groups entered yet. Either enter a group from your files or create a dummy group that you will delete later, i.e., Group number = “111Test” and Group Name = “DeleteMe”. You will not need to enter anything else for this dummy group. After you have entered a group of your own, you can delete the dummy group. The program connection source routine is coded to recognize a database containing at least one group.
If you are networked, you may want to open the comet data file to which you want everyone linked. Open the tblGroup and enter the dummy data directly in the table. Close the table and re-link your computers to the comet data file.
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How can I back up COMET so that I won’t lose any data?
You should back up the comet data file, which contains your COMET data, on a regular basis. Check your COMET Docs folder for instructions on backing up the COMET data.
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What is needed to run COMET on a network?
Before installing COMET on your server, you will need a system that will work with Microsoft Office XP Professional (with MS Access) or higher. For system requirements for Microsoft Access, refer to the Access software documentation or contact Microsoft technical support.
Each workstation will need have Microsoft Windows XP operating system or higher versions of OS. Each workstation will also need Microsoft Office XP Professional (with MS Access) or higher. For system requirements for Microsoft Access, refer to the Access software documentation or contact Microsoft technical support.
COMET can be installed on a single computer or on a network so that several staff members can enter and view COMET data. Review the installing COMET on a network (link)
COMET is a Microsoft Access database application. This means it is designed in and for Microsoft Access XP, Access2003 and/or Access 2007. Microsoft Access is a program packaged in Microsoft Office Professional COMET may not be compatible with Access 2010. COMET runs on the Windows operating platform. It is recommended that you run COMET in Windows XP or higher operating platform. Data from some other database programs maybe "imported" into Access. Contact Comet Tech Support for more information on importing information from other programs into Access.
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When I use the automatic linking feature to link my workstation to the Comet data on the network nothing seems to happen, it just seems to hang up and think about it.
Comet may be having trouble linking on your network. Contact your Network Administrator or COMET Tech support. The program may need to be manually linked.
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When I go to the Hearings Information Screen (or other information screens) it is completely blank. What’s going on?
Possibly two things: 1. you have lost partial connection to your data and the COMETV4(V5) file cannot read the hearing information table. Solution: Try re-linking your COMET to the COMETdata file, or 2. Someone has inadvertently changed or deleted the relationships on the tables. (Possibly though a query). Solution: Contact COMET Tech support.
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I try to open COMET and I get an “Unrecognized Database format” message. What do I do now?
If you try to open COMET file from a computer that is running MS Access 97 or earlier You will not be able use COMET. In order to run COMET you must have a MS Access XP or higher. Contact your network administrator or person that maintains computers about upgrading your MS Access.
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One workstation is not working it keeps dropping COMET data or shutting down.
Make sure the most recent MS Office Service Pack installed on the workstation. Also make sure user is not shutting down or logging off workstation without closing COMET first. (link to OWC10 file)
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Tips for better running COMET on a network
Make sure COMETDBV4.mdb is in the same version of MS Access that your workstations are using. If you need to convert the COMET Data file Contact COMET Tech support or your network administrator.
Make sure your client workstations are up to date on Windows Updates and MS Office updates. COMETV4 uses updated libraries.
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COMET FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS System Problems
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Why do I need MS Office Service Pack Updates?
COMET uses MS Office Update Libraries to run parts of the software. To check for MS Office Updates: Press Start button - Programs - Microsoft Office - MS Access. Open MS Access, at the top is a tool bar, select - Help - About Microsoft Access Program:
A window will open - At the top it should list something like this: Miscrosoft(r)Access 2002 (10.6501.6626) SP3 - This shows the current computer is running MS Access 2002 (XP) with Service Pack 3 installed.
To find if you need any updates go to: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp For office updates on the same page on the top tool bar you will see a Link to “Office Family”. When you go to that page click “check for updates” Microsoft feature will check your computer for necessary MS Office updates. You may need your MS Office CD in order to finish updating the service pack.
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How can I back up COMET so that I won’t lose any data?
You should back up the comet data file, which contains your COMET data, on a regular basis or when you make changes to the data. Check your COMET Docs folder for instructions on backing up the COMET data.
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What is needed to run COMET ?
Each workstation will need have Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system or higher versions of OS. Each workstation will also need Microsoft Office 2000 Professional (with MS Access) or higher. For system requirements for Microsoft Access, refer to the Access software documentation or contact Microsoft technical support.
COMET can be installed on a single computer or on a network so that several staff members can enter and view COMET data. Review the installing COMET on a network before attempting to run COMET (link to workstation file)
COMET is a Microsoft Access database application. This means it is designed in and for Microsoft Access XP, Access 2003 and 2007. Microsoft Access is a program packaged in Microsoft Office Professional. Comet runs on the Windows operating platform. It is recommended that you run COMET in Windows XP or higher operating platform. Data from some other database programs maybe "imported" into Access.
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How do I put a short cut to COMET on my desktop?
You should be able to find the Comet short cut in the COMETV4(V5) folder. Click and drag it to your desktop.
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Is it possible to take data from my old database and put it into COMET?
It is possible to convert data from other databases into COMET. Programs with data in another application that want to migrate the data into Comet should contact a database developer familiar with MSAccess to assist with the migration. COMET Tech Support can assist the database developer by answering questions about the structure of the COMET data file.
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I try to open COMET and I get an “Unrecognized Database format” message. What do I do now?
If you try to open COMET file from a computer that is running MS Access 97 You will not be able use COMET. In order to run COMET you must have a MS Access XP or higher. Contact your network administrator or person maintains your computers about upgrading your MS Access.
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How Do I find out what version of Access I have?
To find out what version of Access you are running Open MSAccess (Go to Start Button– Programs – Microsoft Products – Select MS Access). Once Access is open from the tool bar you can select Help – About Microsoft Access. At the top of the window is a description of what type of Access you have on the computer.
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I am getting “unsafe expressions” or “enter parameter values” when trying to start COMET.
If you are a MSAccess 2003 user, You may need to change your Macro security settings in MS Access. Start Open Microsoft Office Access 2003. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Security. In the Security dialog box, select the Low setting. You are not protected from potentially unsafe macros. Use this setting only if you have virus scanning software installed, or you have checked the safety of all documents you open option, and then click OK. Of course it is important to have to have virus security protection (and keep the protection up to date) on any computer that you access the internet with. Your may also need to install a web component that will reference files in the access library. Here is the link to the XP web Component: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=982B0359-0A86-4FB2-A7EE-5F3A499515DD&displaylang=en Download and install this web component file, please contact us if you are still having problems with the reports.
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