Updating AbacusLaw by CARET (ADS Version) Manually

NOTE: These instructions only apply to the ADS version of AbacusLaw by CARET.

If you use AbacusLaw by CARET through Abacus Private Cloud, updates must be scheduled here.

Updating AbacusLaw by CARET manually must be completed on the server (the computer where the local installation of AbacusLaw by CARET is), and no users can be logged into the software for the duration of the update. Updates typically take 20-45 minutes, so schedule an appropriate maintenance window with your staff to minimize disruption.

If updating from older versions of Abacus (23.16 and below), this update may take longer than normal (30-60 minutes, typically) due to changing the database table format from DBF to ADT. Please allow more time than normal for these updates to fully install.

1. Run the latest ADS AbacusLaw by CARET installer.
   
   

2. Make sure all users are out of everything (AbacusLaw by CARET, Accounting, and MessageSlips), as well as Microsoft Outlook, if they have the Abacus Outlook Add-in installed.
   
   
3. Log into AbacusLaw by CARET. Navigate to File > Utilities > Backup > Backup. Choose the Destination directory to which you want to save the backup.
   • If a Sharing Violation warning appears, a user is still logged into AbacusLaw by CARET, and you cannot proceed. If all users insist that they are logged out, skip to Step 6 to force them out. Ultimately, you can also have everyone simply shut down their PCs, so that only the server is on.
     
     
4. If you are updating from v23.16 or below, perform a Pack (File > Utilities > Pack). You can check your version at Help > About AbacusLaw.
   
   
5. Close AbacusLaw by CARET.
   
   
6. Open the Advantage Configuration Utility and click Stop Service.
   
   
   
   
   
   This severs all connections to the Advantage Database Server used by AbacusLaw by CARET. If everyone swears they are out of AbacusLaw by CARET programs and you are still unable to perform a backup, you can try this. You will need to start it again, however, to do the backup (and go back to Step 3).
   
   
7. Open Computer Management. Computer Management can be found within Administrative Tools if you are unable to find it by searching for it on the Start Menu.
   
   
   
   
8. Navigate to System Tools > Shared Folders > Open Files. Select all entries that start with your Abacus directory path (e.g., C:\Abacus…), right-click, and click Close file.
   
   
9. Run the latest ADS AbacusLaw by CARET installer.
   
   
10. Follow the prompts through the update process.
    • If you receive a message that indicates that AbacusLaw by CARET or Abacus Accounting is running, repeat steps 6-8
      
      
      
      
    • Ensure you are installing to the correct directory. If you choose the wrong directory, AbacusLaw by CARET will simply reinstall itself where you told it to do so.
      
      
11. If you were prompted to restart, do so at your earliest convenience.
    
    
12. After updating the server, from each workstation run AbacusLaw WorkStation Standard Setup ##_##_##_#.msi from the Abacus share on the server: mapped drive\v23\Programs\AbacusLaw WorkStation Standard Setup ####_##_#.msi 
    • The #’s represent the number of the version, e.g. 23_29_83_1.
    • AbacusLaw by CARET will also prompt to finalize setup and launch the workstation installer automatically if you relaunch it on each workstation after the update.
      
      
13. Launch AbacusLaw by CARET and test the Accounting link (if applicable).
    If you are prompted to restart on the workstation(s), do so before attempting to use the program.
    If there are any shortcuts that have been pinned to the taskbar, they need to be re-pinned (delete the current shortcuts first), as pinned shortcuts are not updated by running station.
    If you have any issues after following this procedure, (1) disable any/all anti-virus programs “until reboot,” (2) update the workstation again, and (3) reboot the workstation.

If you still have issues, call AbacusLaw by CARET Tech Support at 800-726-3339.