Summary: Availability of DL Tools for Windows, Version 3.1

Publication Date: December

Author: General Manager: FSA Schools Channel

Summary: Availability of DL Tools for Windows, Version 3.1

Posted on 12-01-2003

The Department is pleased to announce the availability of DL Tools for Windows, Version 3.1, an upgrade release for the supplemental software product for Direct Loan participants.

Version 3.1, an upgrade to Version 3.0, is available for download from the Department’s Federal Student Aid Download (FSAdownload) Web site, located at http://FSAdownload.ed.gov.

DL Tools Version 3.1 installs one major functionality upgrade: the software now accomodates Direct Loan Disbursement records created or modified via the COD Web site (http://cod.ed.gov).

Web-initiated Disbursement records will now be included when running the DL Tools database rebuild process for a 2003-2004 EDExpress database, and will also be included on the Disbursement Detail Comparison and Loan Detail Comparison - Loan Level reports.

NOTE: The Department’s release of DL Tools Version 3.1 coincides with the release of 2003-2004 EDExpress Version 9.2, which adds functionality accomodating Web-initiated Direct Loan Disbursement records to EDExpress. Prior to running the 2003-2004 database rebuild process in DL Tools Version 3.1, you should ensure you have upgraded to EDExpress Version 9.2. Version 9.2 is also available on FSAdownload Web site (http://FSAdownload.ed.gov).

DL Tools Version 3.1 is available on the FSAdownload Web site in two formats. You can download the entire software in one file, called DLTool31.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, Windows ME or Windows XP as your PC workstation operating system in order to run DL Tools Version 3.0. Other system and network requirements are outlined in the Installation Guide.

Version 3.1 can be installed as an upgrade to DL Tools Version 2.0 or Version 3.0. You must have Version 2.0 or Version 3.0 installed in order to run an upgrade (or “Custom”) installation of Version 3.1. Version 2.0 and Version 3.0 are also available for download from the FSAdownload Web site.

NOTE: If you have not installed DL Tools Version 2.0 or Version 3.0 on your system, you can proceed directly to a Full standalone or Full network server/workstation installation of Version 3.1. You do not need to have Version 2.0 or Version 3.0 installed to perform a Full installation of Version 3.1. 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 3.1, it is crucial that you ensure you have a valid, reliable back-up of your DL Tools Version 2.0 or Version 3.0 database (DLTools.mdb). You should also run a database repair and database compact (in that order) via the Tools | Utilities menu before installing Version 3.1.

To upgrade from Version 2.0 or Version 3.0 to Version 3.1, 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 DL Tools database. Remember, if you choose to overwrite your database, all data previously entered is lost.

After the Version 3.1 installation is complete, 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 prompt 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 FSAdownload 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 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 Schools Portal: Listservs & Mailing Lists: FSATECH Web site at: http://www.ed.gov/offices/FSA/services/fsatechsubscribe.html.