Download Updates

One of the huge advantages of a computer based shield nickel reference (as opposed to the traditional book) is that new shield nickel data files can be added "on the fly" as new varieties come to light. Also, errors in any previously distributed data file can be easily corrected by distributing an updated data file.

Choosing Online: D/L Updates compares your local program and data files against the version database on www.shieldnickels.net and attempts to download any updated files from the website. You must have an active internet connection to download updates.

All updated files are placed in a subdirectory of the program directory (on Windows computers that is "C:\Program Files\SNV4" by default) named "updates". The default Preferences file is set so that the "updates" directory is included in the list of directories that is searched for SNV data files. If you remove "updates" from the list of SNV data file directories, then the updated files will be downloaded but not used, so unless you have a very good reason for doing so removing "updates" from the list of SNV data file directories is NOT recommended.

Once you choose Online: D/L Updates, a window will popup to show the progress of the update process. This window may be minimized or closed, and the update process will continue in the background without any user notifications. A log of the update process is maintained in the file "download.log" stored in the program directory. The "download.log" file is always appended to so that historical download logs can still be viewed. It is safe to delete the "download.log" file if it becomes too large.

After successfully downloading updated data files, you must press File: Reload Data to make them available in SNV. Because SNV downloads updates in the background, it does not automatically make the updates available because that could interfere with work you are doing while the downloading is occurring.

If You Are Using a Dial-Up Internet Connection

SNV data files are very large - 3MB to 10MB per coin. Those of you on dial-up Internet connections may wish to obtain updates on CD instead. For updates obtained on CD, see Manually Updating the Data Files.

Special Note for Program Updates and Help File Updates

The above text describes the process for downloading updated SNV data files (.coin files), and is as automatic as possible. Updates to the program and the help files are distributed by posting new installers to the web. Registered users will receive an email notification when such updates are available for downloading.

Interrupted Updates

If you interrupt the download process for any reason (exiting SNV, closing your Internet connection), no harm will be done but any partial file downloaded will be discarded. The next time you run Download Updates, the partially discarded file will be started anew from the beginning.

Errors During Updates

Very occasionally, you may see a communication error and SNV will complain that the downloaded file was not valid. If this occurs, simply run Online: D/L Updates again. If the problem consistently repeats, ask for technical support.