Comet

Comet Frequently Asked Questions 

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 their training available on using COMETV4?

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) Top

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 COMETV4 on a network ?

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) Top

 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 COMETV4 ?

Q: COMET shuts down when I try to assign a volunteer to a child’s record.

Q: I try to assign a petition to a child and get an “Invalid Object No Longer Set” message in COMET forms. 

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: I try to open COMET and I get an “Unrecognized Database format” message. What do I do now? 

Q: I try to open CometDB.mdb or my own Comet Tools and I get a “Convert Database file” message. What do I do now? 

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 COMETV4.

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 V4 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- 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 COMETV4?

Yes, check 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. You can contact Comet Tech Support and possibly have a custom report built for your program. It is important to know that any changes made in the data displayed in queries in Comet Tools will affect the data in the data file. If you delete data displayed in queries in Comet ToolsV4, that data will be gone from Comet and is not recoverable!
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COMET FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Networking questions Top
 

How does COMET work on a Network?

The COMET system is a split Access database, basically two Access files linked together to share information. The COMETV4.mde file is the application file that resides on the client workstations. This file is linked to a CometDBV4.mdb file that resides on the server computer. The CometDBV4.mdb is the file that houses the COMET data and the file that needs to be backed up. See how to set up COMET on a network by looking in the Comet Documentation that comes with installing COMET on a network. 
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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 CometDBV4.mdb file that serves as your data source. Print and follow the Comet Technical Support instructions on Re-linking to the CometDBV4 data file. Link Not Working. The link to the main data file could have been broken if the computer storing the CometDBV4.mdb 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 ComeDBV4.mdb 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 CometDBV4 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 CometDBV4,mdb file, which contains your Comet data, on a regular basis. Check your Comet Docs folder for instructions on backing up the Comet data. 

The CometDBV4.mdb file will probably become too large to simply copy to a floppy diskette. If you have a zip drive, you can copy CometDBV4.mdb to the zip drive. If you don’t have a zip disk, you should purchase a zip program. A program called WinZip is available for download from the Web at www.winzip.com . The program costs around $30 and can be used to zip any of your Windows documents. WinZip comes with an excellent tutorial showing you how to zip, or compress, your files so that you can fit them on a disk. If your file is extremely large, WinZip can be set so that you can store the CometDBV4.mdb file on multiple disks.

NOTE: THE COMET TECHNICAL SUPPORT LINE DOES NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR WINZIP. ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO USE WINZIP SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURES THE PRODUCT.
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What is needed to run COMETV4 on a network?

Before installing Comet on your server, you will need a system that will work with 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. 
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 CometV4 on a network before attempting to run CometV4

Comet is a Microsoft Access database application. This means it is designed in and for Microsoft Access2000, Access XP and/or Access 2003. 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 2000 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 CometDV4.mdb 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.mde file cannot read the hearing information table. Solution: Try re-linking your Comet to the Comet data 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 COMETV4 and I get an “Unrecognized Database format” message. What do I do now? 

If you try to open COMETV4.mde file from a computer that is running MS Access 97 You will not be able use COMET. In order to run COMET V4 you must have a MS Access 2000 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.  
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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 Top

Why do I need MS Office Service Pack Updates?

CometV4 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 CometDBV4.mdb 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. 

The CometDBV4.mdb file will probably become too large to simply copy to a floppy diskette. If you have a zip drive, you can copy CometDBV4.mdb to the zip drive. If you don’t have a zip disk, you should purchase a zip program. A program called WinZip is available for download from the Web at www.winzip.com. The program costs around $30 and can be used to zip any of your Windows documents. WinZip comes with an excellent tutorial showing you how to zip, or compress, your files so that you can fit them on a disk. If your file is extremely large, WinZip can be set so that you can store the CometDBV4.mdb file on multiple disks.

NOTE: THE COMET TECHNICAL SUPPORT LINE DOES NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR WINZIP. ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO USE WINZIP SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURES THE PRODUCT.
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What is needed to run COMET V4 ?

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 CometV4 on a network before attempting to run CometV4

Comet is a Microsoft Access database application. This means it is designed in and for Microsoft Access2000, Access XP and/or Access 2003. 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 2000 or higher operating platform. Data from some other database programs maybe "imported" into Access. 
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COMET shuts down when I try to assign a volunteer to a child’s record.

Microsoft acknowledges a problem with one of the Access Jet 4 files, you can download a fix for this Access Jet file by going to the Microsoft web site and updating your windows Service pack. On Windows 2000 Press Start – Select Windows Update to go to the windows update page, Or to go to the web address is http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com  Windows will scan for updates and check what windows files your computer has not updated.
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I try to assign a petition to a child and get an “Invalid Object No Longer Set” message in COMET forms. 

Microsoft acknowledges a problem with the Access Jet 4.0 files; you can download a fix for this Access Jet file by going to the Microsoft web site and updating your windows Service pack. On Windows 2000 Press Start – Select Windows Update to go to the windows update page, Or to go to the web address is http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com  Windows will scan for updates and check what windows files your computer has not updated. You need to have the latest version of Msjet 4.0 loaded on your computer. Check the windows update page to find out what the current version of Msjet 4.0 is available. 
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How do I put a short cut to COMET on my desktop?

You should be able to find the CometV4 short cut in the CometV4 folder. Click and drag it to your desktop. If you need further instructions, contact Comet Tech Support.
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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.mde file 4.00 from a computer that is running MS Access 97 You will not be able use COMET. In order to run COMET V4 you must have a MS Access 2000 or higher. Contact your network administrator or person maintains your computers about upgrading your MS Access.
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I try to open CometDB.mdb or my own Comet Tools and I get a “Convert Database file” message. What do I do now? 

If you try to open the old CometDB.mdb data file or Comet Tools developed in MS Access 97 from a computer that has Access 2000 or XP, you may be prompted to convert it to Access 2000 or (XP). Contact Microsoft about converting a File from Access 97 to 2000 or Contact Comet Tech Support. 
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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 COMETV4.

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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