Publication Date: April 30, 2003
Author: General Manager: FSA Students Channel
Summary: Availability of EDExpress for Windows 2003-2004, Version 9.1
Posted on 04-30-2003
TO: All Destination Points
FROM: U.S. Department of Education
RE: Availability of EDExpress for Windows 2003-2004, Version 9.1
The Department is pleased to announce the release of EDExpress for Windows 2003-2004, Version 9.1, on the US Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Download (FSAdownload) Web site (located at http://fsadownload.ed.gov/index.htm). This release contains Direct Loan and Pell functionality for the 2003-2004 cycle.
The EDExpress 2003-2004 Installation Guide and the Version 9.1 Cover Letter are also available on the FSAdownload Web site. Both documents contain important information you should review after downloading the software. The 2003-2004 Direct Loan and Pell Desk References are also available on the FSAdownload Web site.
Version 9.1 is available on the FSAdownload Web site in two formats. You can download the entire software in one file, called EDExpress91.exe, or you can download the software in eleven 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, Windows Me or Windows XP (Professional edition) as your PC workstation operating system in order to run 2003-2004 EDExpress, Version 9.1. Please also note that for PC workstations with Windows 2000 or Windows XP as the operating system, users must be Power Users or Administrators for EDExpress Version 9.1 to run. There is no workaround for this issue. Other system and network requirements are outlined in the Installation Guide.
Version 9.1 can be installed as an upgrade to Version 9.0 (or the recent Version 9.0.1 service release). You must have Version 9.0 (or Version 9.0.1) installed in order to run an upgrade (or "Custom") installation of Version 9.1. Versions 9.0 and 9.0.1 are also available for download from the FSAdownload Web site.
NOTE: If you have not installed Versions 9.0 or the recent Version 9.0.1 service release on your system, you can proceed directly to a Full standalone or Full network server/workstation installation of Version 9.1. You do not need to have Version 9.0 or Version 9.0.1 installed to perform a Full installation of Version 9.1. Please be aware that a Full standalone or network server installation will load a completely new, blank 2003-2004 EDExpress database to your system!
If you are running an upgrade installation of Version 9.1, it is crucial that you ensure you have a valid, reliable back-up of your current production 2003-2004 EDExpress database (expres34.mdb). You should also run a database repair and database compact (in that order) via the Tools | Utilities menu before installing Version 9.1.
To upgrade from Version 9.0 (or Version 9.0.1) to Version 9.1, select the Custom install option during your standalone or workstation installation, and mark the checkbox for any modules you use (so module fixes can be installed). Do NOT mark the "Database" checkbox unless you are performing a first-time installation or want to overwrite your Version 9.0 (or Version 9.0.1) database. Remember, if you choose to overwrite your database, all data previously entered is lost.
After you upgrade from Version 9.0 (or Version 9.0.1) to Version 9.1, reboot your PC, then log on to EDExpress 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 EDExpress 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."
NOTE: A one-time product registration questionnaire will display when you log into Version 9.1 following installation that will take about 12 minutes to complete. Once you have completed the questionnaire and choose "Submit", EDExpress will automatically e-mail the results to the Department. You will no longer be prompted to complete the questionnaire again upon entry. You will not see the questionnaire if you install Version 9.1 on a PC that does not have e-mail access or if you log in for the first time on a date after September 30, 2003.
If you need assistance connecting to the FSAdownload site, downloading EDExpress in single or multiple file format, or with the installation or use of EDExpress, 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 FSA systems and software, you may want to subscribe to our e-mail listserv, FSATECH. For more information about FSATECH, including how to subscribe, visit the FSA Technical Support Web site at http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/services/fsatechsubscribe.html.