Frequently Asked Questions

The following is a list of frequently asked questions which may help during installation and operation.

What is the connection string for the database?

The connection string for the database is of the form :

Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=e:\vbnetprogs\searchdb\mdb\searchdb.mdb;Persist Security Info=True

for a Microsoft Access database, and

Provider=SQLOLEDB.1;Password=asearchdbz;Persist Security Info=True;User ID=searchdb;Initial Catalog=searchdb;Data Source=Downstairs

for a SQL Server database.

This must be placed in the web.config file.

There is an easy way to create a database string which is explained at : http://www.webconcerns.co.uk/asp/udl/udl.asp

I get an error message about requiring an updateable query

If you get an error something like 'Operation must use an updateable query ....', it means that the MS Access database does not have the correct permissions.

The database, or the folder it is in, must have write access.

If you are using a hosting organisation, they usually identify a folder outside the root of the web site which has the correct permissions.

Otherwise you have to set the permissions by right clicking on the access database, select Properties and then the Security tab, then change the permissions for the appropriate user.

I have created a button on the define site admin page which tests if the database can be written to.

Where do I put the web.config file?

If you are getting errors like application not found, try moving the web.config file to the root of your web site instead of in the searchdb folder.

If you already have a web.config file in the root of your web site, then all you need to do is copy the information from the appSettings area of the searchdb web.config file into the root web.config file.

The only information within the web.config file that is relevant to this application is the details with the appSettings area.

What does the error about remote debugging mean?

If you put the application onto a web server and you receive an error about remote debugging then this means that you need to change a setting in your web.config file as follows:

<customErrors mode="RemoteOnly" />

to

<customErrors mode="Off" />

What does the database test button do on the login page?

This checks that the connection you have created is correct by inserting a record into a special table, then deleting the record. This checks read / write access to the tables.

How do I stop or start logging?

Logging is defined by an entry in the web.config file as follows :

<add key="pg_ErrorLogging" value="true" />

Leaving this out will disable all logging.

What are the restrictions on the trail version?

The trail version is limited to 30 days.

The trail version does not come with the source code.

It does not index any pages

This may be because you are running it on a PC that has a firewall in front of your internet connection.

Another possible reason is that the page defined to start crawling from does not have any href links on it.