Frequently asked questions

System Requirements

Q: Which versions of Microsoft Windows will BoffinSQL run on?

A: Windows 98(Second Edition), 2000 and XP. BoffinSQL has not been tested on Windows ME

Q: What is the minimum specification for the PC?

A: Pentium 166Mz with 64mb RAM and 20Mb free hard disk space.

Installation

Q: Is the free trial version limited in any way?

A: The free trial version of BoffinSQL is fully functional and identical to the full version in every way. The only limitation is that it will be disabled after 25 days. Once your free trial use has expired, you can unlock BoffinSQL by purchasing a registration key.

Q: What do I need on my PC to link to Oracle?

A: The Oracle client software installed that provides the TNS listener plus the Oracle OLE component. Some versions of the Oracle client install the OLE drivers, other do not. If you do not have the OLE DB you can download it from Oracle. Click here to go to the Oracle download page.

Q: Boffin is failing to connect and I get a connection failure error (active X component can't create object). How do I rectify this?

A: If the error is as shown below check first that the client software is installed and then check  the OLE DB component is installed.

Q: Boffin is failing to connect and I get a connection failure error (ORA-12224: TNS: no listener). How do I rectify this?

A: If the error is as shown below check that the Oracle Instance is started and that you can connect by other means.

Using Boffin

Q: What versions of a Microsoft Access Database can BoffinSQL create?

A: Access 97 and Access 2000 databases.

Q: Do I need to have Microsoft Access installed on the PC to create an Access Database?

A: No you do not need Access to create a database (but you will need Access to use it).

Q: Do I need Microsoft Excel on my PC to create Excel spreadsheets?

A: Yes!

Q: Can Boffin run multiple SQL Queries in one run?

A: Yes, but it will only retain the last one unless the output is in one of the output formats. Run three queries and output the results in to Excel will produce three sheets in the one spreadsheet.

Q: Can Boffin do updates as well as queries?

A: Yes, you can run, INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE queries subject to Oracle© user restrictions.

Q: Can I Email the Output files Boffin creates automatically?

A: Yes, you can send outputs created by Boffin as attachments.