Installation

(This only applies to ESPlanner Plus or Professional)

When you open the Planning Type->Monte Carlo page, there are no assets listed there.

Starting with version 2.19.x, the Monte Carlo are no longer saved in the database. They are stored in the My ESPlanner->Data directory, aka c:\Documents\My ESPlanner\data

If this directory is missing or not properly identified, no assets will be displayed on the Monte Carlo page

To fix this determine if you have the data assets directory available (at the location described or elsewhere). If not, running the ESPlanner update will install the files.

If you verify the directory, click Help->Customize. Click CHANGE ASSETS DATA DIR and enter the location of the directory. Click APPLY. Click VERIFY ASSETS DIR. You should get a "Directory OK"

If you do not and can't resolve it, open a support ticket.

If you get the error "not a valid Win32 application" it means that your download did not complete properly. Try downloading again. It may take multiple tries.

You have received a notice that an update to ESPlanner is available.
Updates are available on the My ESPlanner tab in your account. Just download the installation kit for the update (step 1) and run it (step 2)

If you find it necessary, you can also download the full (aka complete) installation kit at any time.

Both the update and complete kits are listed on the My ESPlanner tab here in your web site account. If you have a previous installation and find you need to use the full update kit, make sure to save a copy of your database file, ESPDatabase.mdb (note the MDB file extension may be hidden). This will typically be in the My ESPlanner directory (part of My Documents (WinXP) or Documents (Vista, Windows 7).

When you re-install ESPlanner, be sure to choose the same directory for the database file. Pay close attention when the database directory screen appears and choose the same directory. Then, restore your saved database file.

Problem

You want to keep your ESPlanner input confidential.

Resolution

While we do not support any encryption technique, there are options available.

One user has tested and successfully implemented TrueCrypt. Learn more about TrueCrypt at their web site.

All the ESPlanner data is in the database file, ESPDatabase.mdb

If you want to store it on a encrypted drive, you could use the technique described here.

Problem

After upgrading from an older version of ESPlanner, Monte Carlo reports that used to run now fail.

Resolution

In older versions of ESPlanner, some user defined assets (UDA) were incorrectly stored. Older versions of the computation engine (CE) ignored the error. The current version of the CE does not. To resolve the problem, remove any UDA's you may have and re-enter them. You should remove ALL (whether they are implemented or not). If you don't intend to use them, they do not have to be re-entered, i.e. re-entering the UDA's is optional.

Also see:
The care and feeding of user defined assets

This should resolve the problem. If you continue to have trouble, create a support ticket.

ESPlanner does not run natively on a Macintosh. You can still run it, but you have to run Windows using a PC emulator, install ESPlanner on the emulated PC, then run ESPlanner inside your "PC". Depending upon the version of Mac operating system you own, we have tested ESPlanner using these different emulators:

• (for Power PC Macs) Virtual PC version 7 or later
• (Duo Core) Parallels Desktop for Macintosh
• (Duo Core) A free virtual PC for the Mac is available called Virtual Box
• (Duo Core) VM Ware

These work well although we recommend Duo Core (or better) for best performance. We have not tested on older Mac (non-Intel) hardware. But, if you can run one of these emulators, it should work fine.

Updated 12/8/2011

There seems to be confusion from time to time about how the ESPlanner database works. Here are all the answers you would ever want.

All data for all profiles are stored in the database. You do not need to SAVE data - it's saved as you enter it.

The database location can be found using HELP->About. If you're unsure what database ESPlanner is using, look there. The file name is specified where it is labeled SOURCE= (this is new in 2.11.x and did not exist in older versions)

The default location for the database is My Documents\My ESPlanner on XP and older and Users\[your name]\Documents\My ESPlanner on VISTA or Windows 7.

The database file is ESPDatabase.mdb. This is a Microsoft Jet database, which is also used by MS Access. You can open it with access but you should not.

You can have multiple ESPlanner database files! You can work with only one at a time.

If you receive a database error and the program closes, and you are running VISTA, the problem is probably the location of the database.

Steps to resolve the problem:

Uninstall ESPlanner.
Reinstall ESPlanner. This time, play close attention to the Database location screen. DO NOT take the default. Choose BROWSE and select your Documents directory. (There is no My Documents on Vista as there was on XP).

This should resolve the problem.

If you lose your ESPlanner installation due to a hardware failure, you can download the full installation kit at any time during your subscription by logging in to your account at www.esplanner.com. If your subscription is expired, you can renew for only $50. Your new or renewed subscription is good for one year from date of purchase.

1. Go to www.esplanner.com
2. log in using your e-mail address you registered with.
3. Enter your password. If you forgot, click "I forgot my password"
4. After you have logged in, look for My ESPlanner (upper right)
5. Click My ESplanner