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Summary: Availability of DL Tools for Windows, Version 2.0

Publication Date: July 19, 2002

Author: General Manager: FSA Student Channel

Summary: Availability of DL Tools for Windows, Version 2.0


Posted on July 19, 2002

TO: All Direct Loan Participants

FROM: U.S. Department of Education

RE: Availability of DL Tools for Windows, Version 2.0

The Department is pleased to announce the availability of DL Tools for Windows, Version 2.0, a supplemental software product for Direct Loan participants. The software is available for download on the Department's SFAdownload Web site (located at FSAdownload.ed.gov).

DL Tools has been developed to provide the following functionality related to the Direct Loan software:

1) Rebuild loan and disbursement data in EDExpress in an automated fashion;

2) Compare the 732 and/or the SAS report to actual disbursements recorded in EDExpress or an external file, and compare to DL Tools Cash Database;

3) Track cash receipts (drawdowns) and returns of excess cash for Direct Loan as reported in GAPS.

Version 2.0 is an upgrade to DL Tools Version 1.0. The software can be used to process data for multiple cycles; it contains Rebuild and Cash Management functionality for the 2000-2001, 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 cycles, and Compare functionality for the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 cycle.

The Compare and Cash Management functionality can be utilized by any Direct Loan School, including schools using custom or combination systems to process Direct Loans and EDExpress-only users. The Rebuild process is designed for use in recreating origination and disbursement records specifically in the EDExpress Direct Loan Module.

DL Tools Version 2.0 is available on the SFAdownload Web site in two formats. You can download the entire software in one file, called DLTool20.exe, or you can download the software in six separate "disk" installment files, which can be copied to a network drive or diskettes. Please review the download and installation instructions in the Installation Guide for further information.

You are required to have Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows ME as your PC workstation operating system in order to run DL Tools Version 2.0. Other system and network requirements are outlined in the Installation Guide.

Version 2.0 can be installed as an upgrade to DL Tools Version 1.0. You must have Version 1.0 installed in order to run an upgrade (or "Custom") installation of Version 2.0. Version 1.0 is also available for download from the SFAdownload Web site.

NOTE: If you have not installed DL Tools Version 1.0 on your system, you can proceed directly to a Full standalone or Full network server/workstation installation of Version 2.0. You do not need to have Version 1.0 installed to perform a Full installation of Version 2.0. Please be aware that a Full standalone or network server installation will load a completely new, blank DL Tools database to your system!

If you are running an upgrade installation of Version 2.0, it is crucial that you ensure you have a valid, reliable back-up of your Version 1.0 DL Tools database (DLTools.mdb). You should also run a database repair and database compact (in that order) via the Tools | Utilities menu before installing Version 2.0.

To upgrade from Version 1.0 to Version 2.0, select the Custom install option during your standalone or workstation installation. Do NOT mark the "Database" checkbox unless you are performing a first-time installation or want to overwrite a previously installed Version 2.0 database. Remember, if you choose to overwrite your database, all data previously entered is lost.

After you upgrade from Version 1.0 to Version 2.0, reboot your PC, then log on to DL Tools to allow the software to perform a one-time only database update. This update loads important changes and fixes to your database structure.

If you are running DL Tools in a network environment, you should first complete ALL of your workstation installations on ALL relevant production PCs, rebooting each PC as you finish the install, then access the software from ONE designated workstation to allow the database update to perform successfully.

If you receive any prompts during the installation indicating an existing file was found and asking if you want to overwrite, click "Yes."

If you need assistance connecting to the SFAdownload site, downloading DL Tools in single or multiple file format, or with the installation or use of DL Tools, please contact CPS/WAN Technical Support at 800/330-5947 or via e-mail at CPSWAN@NCS.COM.

If you have technical questions about our SFA systems and software, you may want to subscribe to our e-mail listserv, SFATECH. For more information about SFATECH, including how to subscribe, visit the SFA Technical Support Web site at http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/sfatech/.