This PC-Rail Diagnostics program can help in providing us with the information needed to diagnose and put right any program faults which may occur. It simplifies the copying of diagnostic ('.med') data files and enables them to easiliy be attached to an email. It can also be used to send us 'saved positions', which in most cases are of great assistance in recreating and solving problems.

We normally request these files after a user has found a problem with a particular simulation which has generated a 'VFP' or PC-Rail error message or a certain move has caused problems. These files will help us identify the error and where necessary to produce an updated version.

Running The Program.

Quick method: Whilst running the simulation, use the menu option Help/Diagnostics. (This method is not available in some of our earlier simulations.)

Alternatively, run the program from the Windows Start/Applications menu where you can find it under [PC-Rail Diagnostics] and then select the required simulation.

In the example shown above we have selected Bath Green Park. Screens from other simulations comprise the same elements.

The main screen is split into four main parts.

The top part shows the name of the simulation, the folder where the files are to found and the date.

The left section below lists any diagnostic files which have been produced by the programme when an error is found. This will create a .med file like the one listed as 63708974.med dated 28/09/05 at 17:41 hours. Next to this there is a button [Incl] - click on this to select or deselect that file from inclusion in the diagnostics you send, though there is no harm in sending them all.

To the right are details of the available Saved Session data. The data is saved into numbered data folders, i.e, data01, data 02, etc. In the above example four saved sessions are listed, with details of the number of the timetable used, clock time, saved date, saved time. This will help you identify the exact folder required. Ideally we would need a saved session just before the problem occurred and one immediately afterwards. You should uncheck any sessions which are not relevant to the problem concerned.

Enter details in the 'Description of problem' box then simply select 'Copy Files'. If the program is able to locate the WinZip program on your system, the files will be compressed into a single.zip file. If not, the files will be saved to a temporary directory on you hard disk. The program will inform you where the file(s) have been saved to.

Example.

In the above screen a saved position which was saved on 15/08/06 at the simulation time of 10:59 is required. All the other items have been unselected leaving just the folder 'data03' included.

Click on 'Copy Files'.  The following screen is then shown. Choose the folder where you would like to save the zip file.

Click on 'Select' and the following will be shown listing the actual name of the file saved.

In the example shown the file name is 'DiagIGH29.zip'.

Use your e.mail attach facility and attach this file to the e.mail and send to john@pcrail.co.uk

We will reply to confirm receipt and again as soon as we have found the cause or require further information.

We hope this guide was useful to you.