You are in Support

How to install the HandicapMaster Network Edition

Installation on the SQL Server Computer

  1. Check your system requirements

    Please check that your hardware and software meet the requirements to run SQL Server 2005 Express.

    The installation of SQL server 2005 Express will require administrator access.

    You will require an internet connection to download the SQL Server 2005 and associated software from Microsoft.

    It is also good data processing practice to take backups of your data prior to performing this installation.

    Please note: Due to the database technology used by HandicapMaster Club and Premier editions it is not possible to restore a backup from these into Network edition. If you wish to migrate data from Club or Premier Edition to Network edition please contact us and we will be pleased to assist.

    For further information about SQL Server 2005 Express please visit this Microsoft web site:

  2. Download and Install HandicapMaster

    Please visit the Downloads page to download HandicapMaster and install HandicapMaster by running the downloaded file.

    Select "NETWORK" installation when you run the installer.

  3. Download and Install Microsoft Software

    1. Download SQL Server 2005 Express (file SQLEXPR32.EXE) and the HandicapMaster Hm_SQLServer.exe installer to the same folder on the PC.

    2. Run the Hm_SQLServer.exe installer.

      This will install SQL Server Express and then run a HandicapMaster Configuration utility to install a HandicapMaster database into SQL Server.

      If the .Net Framework 2.0 library is required, this installer will download it from the Microsoft web site as it is run.

      1. At the Authentication Mode window, check Mixed Mode is selected and enter a Password for the "Sa" Logon.

        SQL Server Install

      2. At the Configuration options window, untick "Enable User Interfaces" and tick "Add User to the SQL Server Administrator Role". SQL Server Install

      3. When the "HandicapMaster SQL Server Configuration Utility" runs, make a note of the SQ Server Catalog name. You will need this later.

        Also, enter a folder for HandicapMaster to use to take safe copies of the Database file as it runs. In the Folder for Automatic Backups section, select a folder (if the folder does not exist, HandicapMaster will create it).

        It is suggested that this folder be on a separate disk from that used by SQL Server.
        Note: if you are using multiple HandicapMaster Databases e.g. Ladies and Men as separate databases then a different folder MUST be specified for the backups for each database.

    3. Download and Install SQL Server 2005 Management Studio Express.

      This is a program than may be run to administer SQL Server, if required.

  4. The other options displayed in the HandicapMaster Configuration Utility are:

    HandicapMaster Configuration Utility

    1. SQL Server Catalog

      The Name of the SQL Server instance.

    2. SQL Database name

      Enter a suitable database name, we suggest 'HandicapMaster' for your first database.

    3. Database File

      If this is not already filled in, browse to the folder where the Database File "HandicapSQL.mdf" has been installed to (do NOT use the copy in HandicapMaster installation folder).

  5. Configure SQL Server to allow Network access

    The default installation of SQL Server does not enable Network access so you will need to enable this using the "SQL Server Configuration Manager" which is installed as part of the "SQL Server 2005 Management Studio Express" installation.

    1. Start the SQL Server Configuration Manager. From the "Start" bar select All Programs --> "Microsoft SQL Server 2005" --> "Configuration Tools" --> "SQL Server Configuration Manager".

    2. Double click on "SQL Server 2005 Network Configuration", then click "Protocols for SQLEXPRESS". Check TCP/IP protocol is Enabled.

    3. Configure TCP/IP Port
      Now configure a port for the SQL server to listen for network requests. By default SQL server uses port 1433, however for security reasons you may wish to use an alternative port.
      If you are unsure of a suitable value please discuss this with your network administrator.

      Double click the TCP/IP protocol entry, then click 'IP Addresses' Tab

      In the 'IPAll' section at the bottom of the list, delete any value for "TCP Dynamic Ports" (do not leave this value as 0 (the default) it MUST be 'blank' to turn off Dynamic Ports).
      Enter a specific port value in "TCP Port" and click OK to save these changes.
      Please record this port value as you will need it when you configure the Client PCs.
      Network Install Setting TCP/IP Ports
      You will see a message displayed indicating that the configuration changes will not take place until SQL server is restarted. This will be done in the following step.

      This value may be set if you already have active SQL server database applications being accessed over your network.

  6. Firewall configuration

    If you are running a firewall you may need to configure it to allow the SQL server to receive incoming requests. The following information should be provided to your firewall administrator.

    The program
    "\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\BINN\sqlservr.exe"
    needs to be enabled in the firewall to allow incoming TCP requests on port 1433 (the default ) or the port configured in the step above.
  7. Restart SQL Server 2005 Services

    Now the SQL server 2005 Services need to be restarted to pick up the changes made above.

    1. Within the "SQL Server Configuration Manager" window click and highlight "SQL Server 2005 Services".

    2. On the right hand side click and highlight "SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS)", then right-click and select 'Restart'.

    Please note it can take a short time for SQL Server to stop and restart.

  8. Run HandicapMaster and configure the Database parameters

    Start up HandicapMaster. You will see a message indicating this is a new HandicapMaster Network edition installation, and that you will need to configure the database details.

    Enter the SQL Catalog name that you recorded when running the HandicapMaster Configuration Utility step above. Add the TCP/IP Port number used in section "Configure SQL server to allow Network access" to the end of the catalog.

    For Example: SERVERNAME\SQLEXPRESS,1433

    Enter the name of the database used when running the HandicapMaster Configuration Utility step above ('HandicapMaster' by default). HandicapMaster will then use these values to connect to the database.