MARAMA PM 2.5 Database FAQ

Frequently Asked/Answered Questions

Q:Say, we are still having trouble importing reasonable-looking Andersen data...
A:Version 1.0.6 now treats what we view as a deficiency in the Access import engine. Try it - it works well even with longer filter IDs.

Q:Some of my data is excluded from the Mass Concentration report and/or graph. Do you know why?
A:An export filter that was blocking some valid transactions for records 68101-68109 has been repaired in version 1.0.5

Q:I find that the export routine excludes some of my readings for what appears to be valid data. What is the deal?
A:An export filter that was blocking some valid transactions for records 68101-68109 has been repaired in version 1.0.5

Q:I have used the Andersen file cleaning utility, and still get import errors. Can you help?
A:We have at last identified the intermittent difficulty importing Andersen files. Download version 1.0.5

Q:Can the program work with Access2000?
A:We have successfully converted version 1.0.4 to Access2000 using the following steps: Please report any difficulties that you encounter using this approach.

Q:If the monitor fails, I have to send a null value code record for the day. But if the monitor has failed, then I have not parametric data to send. What do I do?
A:We posed this question to the EPA. They said that the 88101 card with the null value code is sufficient, but if you have the parametric data, it would be helpful to send it along.

Q:Some of my values, notably CV, temperatures, and pressures, are reported to AIRS as a string indicating no decimal places when they are round values such as 4.00. AIRS tells me they require a decimal place. What should I do?
A:Download the new version 1.0.3, or follow the directions for modifying your existing version, which will create the same result. Be sure to follow the directions for updating MODULES, noting that if you do not REMOVE the old module, an error will result.

Q:If I type a validity flag into the Validity Flag field on the Validate tab of the Filter data form, will it get sent to AIRS?
A:Yes, if the record is otherwise valid for transmission to AIRS, the typed-in code will be accepted.

Q:I tried downloading the PM2.5 Database Version 1.02 and am having problems. When I try opening the file with Access it gives error reading of 'not a microsoft access database file or the file is corrupt'. I have make several attempts downloading and opening the file. Can you help me what is going wrong?
A:You are not using Access version 97. This application will not work for earlier versions of ACCESS. We intend to release an ACCESS 2000 version shortly.

Q: We are an R and P state and we have a bunch of data files, but we don't have the monitor serial number in the site ID 2 field. Can you help?
A:Yes. This application will do the work for you. Good Luck.

Q: I have some CSV files with monitor data in them that don't import. I get a bunch of different errors.
A:The files that are imported to the database should be the very files that come from the monitor. CSV files from another application most likely will not work.

Q: We wish to use the database as a multi-user appliction, where the MDB lives on a networked drive. What steps are required to give users the ability to user the system?
A:The file SYSTEM.MDW that contains all the users and group definitions needs to live in the same location as the MARAMA MDB file. The system administrator should run WRKGADM.EXE on each workstation that might use the MARAMA database, identifying the SYSTEM.MDW file on the networked drive. Both SYSTEM.MDW and WRKGADM.EXE are tools shipped with Microsoft Access. Give us a call if you need help finding and using them.

Q: We need to move monitor Q from site A to the shop, and put a new monitor R at site A. How do we do it?
A:
  1. From a database standpoint, you need to be sure that all of the data files from monitor Q are imported into the system prior to making the changes described in the step 2.
  2. Update the database to show the new arrangement. In the monitors screen, [monitor button off the main menu], choose a site that accurately reflects where monitor Q is, that is, un-assign it from it site A. Alternatively, you could delete the monitor Q record.
  3. In the monitors screen, update the record for monitor R. You may need to create this record if monitor R has never been entered. Assign monitor R to Site A by choosing site A from the pulldown list on the monitor screen.
  4. Note: it is not possible to have both monitors Q and R assigned to site A with the same POC. This validation rule is deliberately programmed into the system.
  5. The database will assign the correct siteID to the incoming filter data from the monitor. It will not change data that has already been imported.

Q: We are an R&P state, and we have loaded in sites, monitor, filterdata from the monitor, and lab data from the lab spreadsheet successfully. However, we are not getting useful output on either reports or AIRS transactions. What's the deal?
A:The SITEID2 in the output from the monitor must contain the serial number for the monitor (that is, the same expression you used when defining the monitor in the MARAMA software). From the input received at the EPA conference in late May, there may soon be a version that uses AIRS SITE ID including POC in one or the other of the SITE ID fields. This approach would provide a straight-forward method of dealing with practice of moving the monitors around to different sites over time. If you have any input on this idea, please contact PES.

Q: Will the database accommodate the new AIRS Validity flags as prescribed in the March 27 memo from D. Mobley?
A:Yes, once they are clearly defined. We may also add functionality to assign Validity codes based on monitor flags where applicable. Stay tuned.

Q: When I try to create AIRS transactions, I get an error message that says "Invalid Use of Null". What's the problem?
A:The trouble you are experiencing with the export to AIRS is due to filter records without enough information. The system is trying to convert them into AIRS transactions and fails when it finds, for example, that there is no actual start time.

In theory, the agency reviews each filter record in the Filter Data form, and if any record is unusable or suspect, it is marked to NOT send to airs. Blanks should also be marked to NOT send to airs.

As an aside, filter records that are altogether blank, except for the filterID, are protected from getting into AIRS export by the AIRSMonitorID. Filter records without a matching Monitor ID in the monitors table will fail the join condition. All of those blank records are then excluded.

The short answer is that you need to buzz through the filters using the Filter Data form, and mark filters with missing monitor data, and blanks, to not send to AIRS.

Q: Virginia writes: How can we load data that was collected on hardcopy forms into the database?
A:As you know, the system was designed to take data from electronic monitor output files, but for you old data, you can try this. Good Luck.

Q: Maryland writes: Sometimes our Andersen monitor files do not import, reporting that values aren't separated properly. Upon inspection, the files look fine. What can we do?
A:The files do indeed look fine, even when examined in hexadecimal. However, it is certainly true that they do not import. We are perplexed about that. Since the problem is limited to some files of yours (only), we suspect the monitor is failing to write properly, but to date we cannot prove it. We have devised a program that rewrites the offending file but doesn't change the data such that it can be imported. You can download it here. Good Luck.

Q: I have my computer configured to show dates in a particular way that I like. Will that/won't that affect the AIRS export?
A: No. It will affect the way that dates appear in date fields in the system, but the AIRS export cannot be affected by variation in the appearance of data in date fields.

Q: When I run an import, I get an error that talks about "Couldn't find installable ISAM," and missing .DLL files.
A: The program depends on Access's ability to import spreadsheets and text files. When Access was installed on the computer in question, it appears that the option to install file conversion drivers was not selected. The remedy is to re-install Access with the file conversion drivers option selected.

Q: Due to data conversions or other consolidations, I have imported a data table (such as Filter or Lab) into our current database. After import there are still the same number of records in the table that I thought I imported. Is there another step after import than needs to be performed?
A: There are two things that come to mind: 1) You have imported the new data table into your existing database, but the new information lives in a table named something new, such as lab1 (so named not to conflict with your existing table named lab). You will want to integrate the new records ( from lab1) into the lab table.

Make a new query that contains the following:

INSERT INTO lab SELECT * FROM Lab1;

If you have never created a query, give us a call and we'll walk you through it. Execute the query, and that should catch you up.

2)If you have already done step one and adding a bunch of records did not change the number of records you had before, then most likely you are experiencing collisions on the primary key of the data you are importing. You will want to confer with us (technical support) about the best way to resolve this situation.

Q: Flow CV is a percent value, so .1% is stored in the database as .1. Isn't that a problem?
A: No. Flow CV is reported from monitors as a percent, and stored in the database without modification (.1% is stored as .1). The value is consistently used as a percent in all reports and exports to AIRS, so there is no adjustment is required. If you have made custom reports or modifications that take flow CV and multiply by 100 to show is as a percent, the value will be overstated by a factor of 100.

Q: What is the password?
A: The Personal ID associated with each group name is 1111. When specifying the group names, make sure you use all capital letters.

Q: Okay, I have entered all the groups and passwords, and I still can't get in. What gives?
A: When you log into ACCESS as you always have in the past, it thinks you are the user named ADMIN. As such, you will assign the group PM25ADMIN to the user ADMIN.

Q: I am not a MARAMA member agency. Can I use this database?
A: Yes. MARAMA paid for the development and they are happy for you to use it.

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