Dive Rite NiTek Logic Software - BEWARE

[WarmWaterDiver]

I upgraded my PC's version of NiTek Logic software from v2.09 (when I bought the downloader etc. for my NiTek3) to the latest v3.06 last week. Suddenly, I can no longer easily download dives from the NiTek3, and this is the worst, can no longer edit dives downloaded from the NiTek3 (so dives are named NewDive1, NewDive2, etc.). As part of this editing, I can no longer input equipment used, buddy info, etc. as well as the inputs for gas consumption calculations. I get weird error messages and then the NiTek Logic crashes. I contacted Dive Rite and they then informed me that , by the way, you won't be able to edit information, and that I need to experiment with the timeout etc. settings (I was connected to the correct COM port).

So, I'm trying to see if I can can revert to v2.09 without losing the info from dives already downloaded to the PC. So far no answers on if this can be done, much less how, from Dive Rite (it's been a week). I'm going to try this on my own, unless someone else has some pointers (please post or PM me with them if you do).

Otherwise, BEWARE using the latest NiTek Logic v3.06 if you're a NiTek3 (or earlier, I assume) vintage dive computer owner / user. This has me a bit steamed in terms of customer support (no warnings of this on Dive Rite's site or upgrade documentation).

 

[StSomewhere]

First, have you called DR and asked them?

Second, what was in the "upgrade" that made you decide to use the newer software version? You didn't just upgrade without a need, did you?

Third, that's really good advice, before you ever upgrade you should (at the minimum!) copy the program's datafiles off somewhere in case so you could go back to the old software if necessary. Better would be to have an ongoing backup strategy for your important PC files. Of course, if the upgrade updated your datafile in place and you didn't have a backup of the datafile then you may just be hosed.

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

St. Somewhere,

First - I e-mailed DR, got their first response within a day, replied with additional queries, 1 week no answer. With my work schedule, e-mail works better than telephoning during the day time. See my first paragraph in my original post. Did you read the post?

Second, the 'upgrade' was to use the software with DR newer offerings - such as the NiTek Duo and its different-in-brand-logo-on-the-face-only siblings, as well as with my NiTek3. But, upgrades should be upwardly compatible, for most business folks concerned with business success and customer base - repeat purchases etc. What my direct experience with DR thus far is the NiTek Logic has been revised to accomodate their newer offerings at the expense of their older offerings, with no flags / documentation on this set up for those who do use their older offerings. I would be interested to hear from someone using a NiTek He on this issue.

Third, are you familar at all with this software from direct experience? I'd appreciate 'pointers' on how the 'logbook' data base is configured, so it could be backed up. So, back to my original post, I'm going to try this myself unless someone else has any direct info on how to do this based on direct experience?

Thanks in advance to anyone else if you have this and share!

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

FYI, so far the 'rollback' function included with the v3.06 upgrade was unsuccessful. The automatic 'backup' folder created by the upgrade when performed is not working.

I was able to install v2.09 again via CD, and I copied all the Logbooks etc. to a temporary folder. But, I I have not been able to import their contents back into v.209, nor view their contents - but can see via Windows Explorer that the files are still there in the temporary folder.

 

[abowie]

When you upgraded did you enable the backup utility that allows you to roll back to a prebvoius version?

If you did all of those files ought to be in the ..\backup directory.

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

abowie,

Yup, and it didn't work. There are files in the 'upgrade_backup' directory, but the program just plain locks up now on v2.09. The 'backup' directory is and was empty.

I upgraded with the 'patch' link for v3.06, since I already had v2.09. I also copied the entire contents of the 'Dive Rite' directory to a temporary directory, so I do have copies of everything - just not working software to use them with!

 

[spyder]

I bought a cradle in early December and it came with the 3.06 software. After returning from my trip to Coz in mid December I tried to download the 10 stored dives with no success. Kept getting timeout errors and other wacky things. I finally got it to download but it would stop after 3 dives. Checking the Nitek3, it now only has 3 dives in it. Not sure what happened to the other 7. I emailed several people at DiveRite but never got a response. Do you know where I can get a copy of 2.09? Seems like a waste at this point so I bought a Sensus Pro.

 

[StSomewhere]

St. Somewhere,

First - I e-mailed DR, got their first response within a day, replied with additional queries, 1 week no answer. With my work schedule, e-mail works better than telephoning during the day time. See my first paragraph in my original post. Did you read the post?

Second, the 'upgrade' was to use the software with DR newer offerings - such as the NiTek Duo and its different-in-brand-logo-on-the-face-only siblings, as well as with my NiTek3. But, upgrades should be upwardly compatible, for most business folks concerned with business success and customer base - repeat purchases etc. What my direct experience with DR thus far is the NiTek Logic has been revised to accomodate their newer offerings at the expense of their older offerings, with no flags / documentation on this set up for those who do use their older offerings. I would be interested to hear from someone using a NiTek He on this issue.

Third, are you familar at all with this software from direct experience? I'd appreciate 'pointers' on how the 'logbook' data base is configured, so it could be backed up. So, back to my original post, I'm going to try this myself unless someone else has any direct info on how to do this based on direct experience?

Thanks in advance to anyone else if you have this and share!

I don't have a Nitek myself but I did help a friend who does have one. Definitely call DR, email is spotty a lot of times with support call issues.

One thing that I was trying to point out, and I realize this may not help you here, is that upgrading without a specific reason to upgrade does not always pay, quite the opposite. Reasons for upgrading would be if the new software fixes a bug you are having, supports an additional feature, is needed to support a new OS, or is required by the vendor for support. I say this as someone with tons of experience developing software. The developer may not have had your model with existing dives and the old software to be upgraded to thoroughly test your configuration. This would more than likely be an issue with whatever company DR is contracting with to do this work, not DR directly (though I could be wrong, I doubt it).

The Nitek software has a datafile that it uses to store all your data on your PC, that's what you are looking to find in an older backup to use with the previous software. It should never happen but the developer may have re-used the existing file when the upgrade was performed. If you don't have an older backup of that file, then try to copy the existing backup file in the backup directory to another computer and see if the older version of the software won't open it up.

And do call DR on the phone and see what they can tell you. They ought to at least be able to contact whoever did the work to fix the bug in the new software, whether that's their own employee or the work was contracted out.

 

[ssnsltd]

Man I wish I found this thread before I bought my docking cradle. I got mine for my NitekPlus. It shipped with a USB version and only v3.06 of the software. It has been a nightmare from day one. I have unloaded and reloaded the software at least 6 times. It keeps crashing and taking my logbook with it. No inerface between it and the voyager either. :disappoin

If anyone does find a link to the older sofware, please post it.

thanks,
David

 

[BS Diver]

Looks to me I have almost same problem as you do, downloading stored data on the dive computer in to PC.

I'm using Dive Rite DOCKING STATION for NITEK/NITEK 3/NITEK HE and my
computer is Windows XP base with Ni Tek Logic software version 3.06
which according to Dive Rite is fine with all three dive computers:
first generation NiTek, NiTek, NiTek 3 and NiTek HE. When I try
uploading information from the Dive Computer to my PC I'm getting
following errors:

Unable to communicate!
Would you like to test for valid COM ports on your system?

YES NO

Then if I click on NO or YES I'm getting:

Access violation at address 00000000. Read of address 00000000.


I try change operating system to Win'98 & Win'95 - same problem, Com
ports are OK, cable is OK, I also change docking station... same
results.

*^??!!%$#!#$%.... WHAT IS GOING ON?

I NEED HELP. P L E A S E

bsdiver@bsdivers.com

If you can PLEASE send me by e-mail Ni Tek Logic software version 2.09 I would like to try old version.

THANK YOU

Paul