Hi

Is there anyone here from “Del Mar Reynolds Medical”, no one from this company is answering any emails and basically the global support is non existent? Please contact Eddie hughese@ngha.med.sa urgently!

Regards

Eddie

Weren't they taken over by Spacelabs?

El-Seif used to be the agent in Riyadh, if my memory serves me well.

Yeah, and I think their support office is out in space somewhere!

Ed

Just around the back of Cygnus Alpha.

If anyone else can help in the meantime The primary problem we are facing are database errors. Our current problem is that Cardionavigator program fails to execute and reports the following "Unable to open database" (Error 208).

It is server based (Paradox) and all service connections to the server are up and running! All data is in its correct folders and appears intact! Also there are no utilities with the software so how do I check its configuration if it wont EXECUTE?

Anyone know a fix without a full re-install?

Regards

Eddie

I'm probably stating the obvious when I say that it sounds like a corrupted database file that you've got there, Mate. It's a sure bet that the system was switched off "incorrectly"!

What system does the thing use (as in OS etc.) ... something generic? Probably something "specific" (proprietary), I'll bet.

Can you get at the files at all? Can you copy, and then examine them? If you're already considering a full re-install, I'm wondering if a step-by-step deletion of some of the files might work (by conjuring up an automatic rebuild). I would delete the index(es) first, then the database itself if need me.

Sounds like fun. Good luck, Mate.

Geoff, its now Al Jeel medical and sorry to say but if brains where dynamite they would nay have enough to blow their noses!

Ed

Hi Geoff, it’s running on XP. I am no expert on paradox but it seems to be a logical flat file system organized in to directories “EKG Data” via year/month/day. And what appears to be a master data file (pointer) in the application root folder. I have backed these up! We have no technical info about the systems configuration! And as I said the manufacturer fails to respond to any cry for help!

Ed

Please allow just a little digression then ...

Here is an interesting case. We have an "emerging nation" which used to rely upon people with mukh from the Western nations to provide technical services to its (then) fledgling healthcare organizations. Of course, they had to pay heavily for that privilege. But don't worry too much about that, as they had plenty!

But now, with the amount of equipment at another magnitude altogether, not to mention complexity, and also with customer expectations at a new level ... technical support by the equipment companies is (as Eddie has just indicated) by and large left in the hands of donkeys. The companies' margins are still quite "healthy", but tech support staff now come from non-Western countries, and the pay is rock-bottom ... but what about the end result? That is, the lousy service?

A point for discussion, perhaps?

Those data files are corrupted, Mate (or, one of them is). You have (good) back-ups? Can you copy them back onto the system, then?

Also, doesn't someone there have Paradox? It would be nice to be able to take a look at those data files.

Hi

We have managed to get the system up and running with no patient data loss!

Just to say though that any tenders bearing the name "Ferraris Group" that land on my desk will be filed under "bin".

Regards

Eddie

Well done, Mate. But you don't escape that easily, I'm afraid. We need the how's, the where's, and the why's!

Hi Geoff, I scanned it with this and it worked first time! Apparently the database was locked (due to an ungraceful closedown).

For anyone else, “Del Mar Reynolds" provides NO support whatsoever! I jest ye not (no reply for over 2 weeks???)!

“Del Mar Reynolds Medical”, you are a disgrace to the industry!

Eddie

A nice fix, Eddie. I hope that the ungraceful one has been (is being) suitably chastised!

"Scanned it in"? Ultrasound? That's advanced stuff, Mate.

It's "interesting" though that the OEM didn't see fit to bother with a database repair routine as part of his software. It would have been a nice touch, after all. Or (perhaps better yet) even have used a DOS system, which would have been a bit more "forgiving" ... or even some sort of battery-backed system (to close the files) which would tolerate "ungraceful exits" or all types!

See ... who needs "tech support" (from so-called Local Agents, or anybody else).

PS: The Del Mar Reynolds Medical of today is clearly not the Del Mar Avionics and Reynolds Medical of old! But, there again, the same may be said of many of the contemporary manufacturers, can it not? The factory is closed for summer holidays, I should imagine. I only hope they're enjoying the same lovely weather as we're having here in the UK.

PPS: I notice that Nucleus do a whole range of data recovery software, so that's a handy website. Of course, back in pre-history, we used to be able to patch .dbf files (etc.) back together ourselves, using simple tools such as the Norton Disk Editor (much more fun). Oh, happy, happy, days.

So true

Do you remember replacing a simple EOF byte!

I made a killing with Norton Utilities Un-erase program! When things like a file delete would only add an ? to the first character in the file name!Oh happy days!

Eddie

PS there was a Database repair utility with the software but it could not deal wuth a locked database file? If they had bothered to get back to me there where a few questions I had for them!

Oh well lesson learnt!

Eddie

Oh, yes! I consider myself fortunate to have passed through two Golden Ages. The Golden Age of computers, and the Golden Age of biomed. Things are just not the same in either sphere these days, I would say, and it's probably time to move on (... but, to what?).

The thought occurs that "they" may have considered the locking of the files as a "feature", as (I'm assuming) they contain confidential patient data.

PS: I hope you noticed that I included a fair example of Baboon Speak there.

Del Mar Reynolds doesn't exist anymore. It's now Spacelabs and the Ferraris lung test equipment went from Ferraris to DelMar and now its NSpire Health

Hi Graham

I have contacted all of the above and they all share one support email service@dmr.ferrarisgroup.com

Spacelabs :- service@dmr.ferrarisgroup.com

Also the website www.delmarreynolds.com was enjoying an upgrade last sunday! Also guess what their email is? Yes service@dmr.ferrarisgroup.com

Okay an update to this thread:-

"Spacelabs" you are a disgrace to the industry!
You have also given a redefinition to the term “Stress Test”!

Eddie

Both Del Mar and Spacelabs were spin-offs from the "space race" and the "military-industrial complex" which were heavily dependent upon the so-called "Cold War".

As recent events in and around the Roki Tunnel have proved (if nothing else), the moth-balling of the F-22 (and all the rest) might indeed prove to be a bit premature, so perhaps we can at least now look forward to some new technical innovation.

Could this be another example of "natural selection"? But in the round, as it were ... for all mankind.

Hint: Stephen Hawking is right (of course he is, with a brain like his) ... the sooner mankind escapes this planet the better, if our long-term survival is to be assured.

Eddie
I have just gone into the Spacelabs website and posted the following message.
CAN I SUGGEST THAT YOU GO INTO THE WEBSITE
https://www.ebme.co.uk/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/32960/Reynolds_Medical_Cardio_Naviga#Post32960 AND RESPOND TO EDDIE IN JEDDAH !!
In the event of proable failure,
Their UK good guy and he is good, is Steve Elms, Technical manager.
Tel 0845 6017 224 or Fax 0845 601 7225. He may be able to point you in the right direction

I think spacelabs already have Geoff! Now if BAE or Raytheon (both here with me!) where covering this kit things would be fine! But fortunately they stick to what they know!

Eddie

Graham, thanks so much! I will give him a call!

Thanks Mate

Eddie

Spacelabs. All the clues are there, Mate (but you may need to eat a bit of "pie" when you speak with Steve). Ha, Ha.

Hi Eddie

I have sent you a PM containing some information about the problem you were having with Cardionavigator, along with some contact details that may help in the future.

Cheers Kanku and Roger, it is the weekend here now but I will email you guys probably asking for a recovery procedure in case we face the same problem again! Sorry for the negative thread but we had a clinic down for a full week whilst waiting for Al-Jeel to assist! Again if I can deal with you guys in the future I would be very grateful! We are also interested in remote Internet support if you provide it!

Kind regards

Eddie

OK, a quick update and acknowledgment here!

Once you get around the Space-labs "Firewall" The Techs and their support for Cardionavigator is simply excellent! Thanks guys!

Eddie

Perhaps they have been "following events" on this thread?

PS: can we assume that you're not referring here to the local agent?

Maybe, but I don't believe the techs are at fault at all! Its their front door that was well hidden!

Ed

PS I am definitely NOT talking about the local agent! With correct guidance from the above I was able to rebuild the system in around 20 Min's. The local agent took 3 weeks and still left it unstable! Suppose thats why I'm here hey!

Ed

I could never understand why a country that could (and still can) afford the "best" puts up with less than that when it comes to tech support.

Actually, I can understand it, so here it is:- the owners of those companies are either too mean to employ world-class techs, or they simply don't appreciate the value of tech support. Either way, it's up to the big healthcare providers out there (like the one you work for, Eddie) to put those local agents straight on this issue, once and for all!

Not in a position to answer that mate! Stones in shoes etc!
So "Lets just keep it in the family" so to speak!

Ed

Oh yes, Mate ... that is indeed why you're there. Stones in flip-flops it is, then. But let's just say that you're not alone!

During my time "out there", on the occasion of one of my (many) crusades (good word, that ... well selected) to put things right, a wise man once advised me:- "Mr.Geoff, it's best to be riyalistic"! I guess there are a few around who would understand what he meant by that (I certainly did, but didn't really heed his advice, unfortunately).