FAQ: Troubleshooting MicroBase Pro Internet Connectivity

 
 

In order to use MicroBase Professional to communicate with the MicroBase Network, you will need the following:

  • MicroBase Professional must be installed on a PC which has an Internet connection.
  • Your DSS supplied MicroBase Network Login entered into MicroBase Professional.

Click here if you don't have a MicroBase Network Login.
 
1. How Can I Tell If My Computer Is Connected To The Internet?
  • Make sure that your MicroBase Pro equipped computer is properly connected to the Internet. Check cables and/or wireless settings.
  • Open your browser and see if your computer is able to open the Dynamic Solutions Systems website at www.dssmicro.com. If you can connect to the website, then your computer has either a direct Internet connection, or connection through a Proxy server.
  • Open MicroBase Pro and look in the bottom left corner of the MicroBase workspace for the Online/Offline status flag. When MicroBase Pro is able to connect with the DSS website at www.dssmicro.com, the lower left corner of the MicroBase Pro workspace will display Online.
  • If your MicroBase Pro installation cannot connect with the DSS website, the lower left corner will indicate Offline. To refresh the Online/Offline flag, click Options - Online Settings - Check Status Now and watch to see if the Online/Offline flag changes state.
  2. I Have A Direct Internet Connection. Why Does MicroBase Pro Continue To Display OFFLINE?

Your Internet Security/Anti-Virus software maybe be blocking MicroBase Pro from connecting to the Internet. If so check the following:

  • Disable your Internet Security/Anti-Virus software and see if MicroBase Pro can now connect to the Internet.
  • If this is the case, add "microbase.exe" to the exception list of programs that your security software will not block.
 
3. What If My Computer Is Connected To The Internet Through A Proxy Server?

In order for your MicroBase Pro installation to communicate to the MicroBase Network through a proxy server, it must be updated to MicroBase Pro v2.1x (or newer), and then configured to communicate with the Internet through a proxy server.

If your computer is connected to the Internet through a Proxy server and you are using MicroBase Pro v2.0, you will need to update your MicroBase Pro installation before you can connect to the Internet with MicroBase. In order to update your MicroBase Pro installation, you will have to manually download and run the MicroBase Pro installer. Click here to download the most recent MicroBase Pro installer.
 
4. What Are The Requirements For Connecting MicroBase Pro To The Internet Through A Proxy Server?

Check to make sure you have met all of the following requirements before attempting to connect to the MicroBase Network through a proxy server.

  • You must be using MicroBase Pro v2.1 (or newer). We strongly recommend that you update your MicroBase Pro installation to the most recent version. Click here to download the most recent MicroBase Pro installer.
  • You must have been issued a MicroBase Pro authorization key which enables Proxy support.
  • You must have your proxy server's IP Address and Port Number.
  • If your proxy server requires authentication, you will also need a Username and Password.

To obtain an authorization key which enables proxy support, contact DSS Headquarters with the following:

  • Your MicroBase Pro 4 or 5 digit serial number (if you don't know your S/N, your full authorization key will do)
  • The License Owner Name from your MicroBase Pro authorization data.
  • Your request for a Proxy enabled Authorization key.

Note: Once your MicroBase Pro authorization key has been reissued enabling proxy support, your old authorization key will be terminated.

Check with your IT professional to obtain your proxy server's IP Address, Port Number, and if authentication is required, a Username and Password.

 
  5. How Do I Configure MicroBase Pro To Communicate Through My Proxy Server?

Use the following checklist to verify that your MicroBase Pro Installation is authorized to use proxy support:

  • Start MicroBase Professional
  • Click Help - About MicroBase ...
  • Verify the About MicroBase... dialog displays "Proxy Support Enabled". If you don't see this message, contact DSS to obtain a revised authorization key which enables proxy support.

Once authorized, you can use this checklist to configure MicroBase Pro to connect to your proxy server.

  • Start MicroBase Professional
  • Click Options - Online Settings.
  • Under Internet, select (x) Connect to the Internet through a proxy server.
  • Enter your proxy server IP Address and Port Number.
  • If authentication is required, check [x] My proxy server requires authentication. Then click Authentication and enter your Username and Password and click OK.
  • Click Apply followed by Check Status Now.
  • When MicroBase Pro has connected to the Internet through the proxy server, you should see the (Online) flag in the lower left corner of the MicroBase Pro workspace. The parentheses indicate that the Internet connection is routed through a proxy server.
  6. I Can't Get MicroBase Pro To Connect To The Internet Though My Proxy. What Do I Do Now?

If you have performed all of the steps in section #5 above and still don't have a proxy connection, you can request your IT professional to collect information to send to DSS Product Support for analysis.

Use the following checklist to collect MicroBase Pro system logs and temporary request/response files:

  • Stop MicroBase Pro.
  • If using 64-Bit Windows, explore the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Dss\MicroBase\System
  • If using 32-Bit Windows, explore the folder C:\Program Files\Dss\MicroBase\System
  • Copy then entire contents of the MicroBase "System" folder (including the http subfolder) to a temporary folder on your desktop.
  • Start MicroBase Pro.
  • Copy the following three files from the MicroBase system folder to the temporary folder on your desktop:
  • _http_raw_request.dat
  • _http_raw_response.dat
  • _sys_status_response.dat

ZIP the contents of the temporary folder on your desktop and email it to marklester@dssmicro.com for analysis.
7. My IT Department Won't Permit MicroBase Pro To Be Used With Our Proxy Server. What Are My Options?

If use of the company proxy server is not permitted, then you may be able to temporarily connect your MicroBase Pro equipped computer to another Internet source to make contact with the MicroBase Network. Many portable devices will permit "tethering" one computer to another to share an Internet connection.

Tethering with iPhone or iPad: If you have an appropriately equipped device, you can activate the Personal Hotspot feature and connect via Wifi, Bluetooth or USB Cable.

Tethering with an Android device: If you have an appropriately equipped Android device, you can activate the Android Hotspot feature and connect via WiFi, Bluetooth or USB Cable.

Click the appropriate link below for instructions on connecting your MicroBase Pro equipped computer to the Internet via tether:

Important Note: Before connecting to the Internet using tethering, check to make sure that such use is permitted under your company policies.

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