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Click on a link below to see the answer for each
FAQ. If you have a question that isn't answered
here please ring the Help Desk on 0845 8386860 or
email Support@FourForm.com
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- PC configuration, set-up and using STARS
- Year-End Procedures
- Prices, Maintenance and Support
- The Last Resort
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How do I get the STARS icon to show on my PC?
Power up your PC then start Internet Explorer. Within the address bar of IE enter the IP address of your STARS server, for example HTTP://192.168.0.1 (this will be written on the side of the STARS box itself) then click on the "Go" button. You should now see the STARS login page waiting for your user and password. Hover your mouse over the IE page and click on the right mouse button then select "Create Shortcut". IE will prompt you that a shortcut will be placed on your desktop. Click OK to set up the icon.
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I can't see any drop down menus in STARS
STARS requires Internet Explorer version 6 Service Pack 1 or higher to run correctly. Versions of IE below 6 SP1 may not format the screen as expected and may not show the drop down menus. A Microsoft IE upgrade CD was supplied as part of your installation, follow the instructions on the inside cover of the case or visit the Resource Page and follow the links to upgrade. Each PC that is used to access STARS will need to be upgraded to version
6 or higher
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We've recently acquired STARS but I don't know how to start it running
Your STARS server should be up and running 24 hours a day. You need to be issued a username and password by the system administrator at your school and then set-up the shortcut icon on your desktop. Once you can log in, use the Quickstart Guide in the Resources Section of this site to begin to navigate around the system.
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What should we use as the first login to STARS?
When your system is installed, the default username is 'Admin' and the default password is also 'Admin'. Once you have logged in for the first time you will be forced to change the password to something else. Only the person who changes this password will know what it is, it cannot be determined by anyone else, not even the STARS help desk. Passwords expire after 6 months and you will be forced to change it after this point.
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I've forgotten my password - what do I do?
You need to get a system administrator to reset your password. The Administrator can reset your password to a new value and tell you what it now is. When you log in for the first time using this new password you will be required to choose another password that only you know. From then on you will need to use the new password that you have chosen.
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I've forgotten my password and I'm the Admin user - what do I do?
If there is another user who is set up as an administrator then they can reset your password. If you are the only administrator then you will need to contact the support desk. It is not possible for us (or anyone else) to tell you what your password is, you will need to have a system reset on the Admin account to have a new Admin password allocated.
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We're going to have our network
upgraded / Broadband, do we need to do anything?
If the range of IP addresses is remaining the same on your network then you do not need to make any changes to the STARS server. However it is worthwhile making sure that your installer is aware of the STARS box so that the IP address being used is not allocated to any other equipment. If your range of IP addresses is changing (this is normally the case for ISDN to Broadband upgrades) then a new IP address will need to be allocated to the STARS box. Before the upgrade begins we advise you contact the STARS help desk to ensure you make all the changes needed to the STARS box. These changes need to be made before the Broadband upgrade starts, you will not be able to access the STARS box after Broadband has been installed if you have not changed the settings. If necessary we can arrange for an engineer to visit to make the changes and test the equipment for you.
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How do I import pupil information?
You can import pupil information into STARS by setting up a spreadsheet containing the basic pupil details. This information can then be loaded into STARS via the 'Import Pupils' option from the maintenance menu. Pupil achievement information needs to be entered into STARS directly through the Achievement Record option.
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Do I need to configure the PC in a special way?
There are some minor changes you need to make to the PC to settings to ensure correct access to STARS. The Internet settings need to be modified slightly so that Internet Explorer knows that the address of STARS is on your internal Intranet and not on the external Internet. Take a look at the user manual to see the PC connection guide where step-by-step instructions are shown.
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When should I start the year-end process?
You can begin the year-end process at any time. The initial steps are to 'Stage' the pupils and select the next school year. Ideally you can start staging the pupils during the run up to the end of the last term. Set the pupils up so that they are all marked for their next class. Stage the next school year in the same way then, when the new term starts in September you can perform the rollup and have all of your pupils in place. You will only need to enter the details for the new pupils joining the school.
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We've performed the year-end 'Staging' but need to make some more changes
You can fine-tune the staging process any number of times. Simply return to the year-end options and make the changes to the pupil classes or the next school year until you are happy with the settings. The year-end staging process does not need to be completed in one go, you can split the process over many sessions.
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I'm just not sure how to perform the year-end process
The STARS manual contains an extensive guide on how to complete the year-end process. It's worthwhile taking a look at the relevant section before you begin your first year-end. You can see the manual by clicking on the "Help" button and selecting "User Guide" when you are logged into STARS or on the Resources page of this website.
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What should I do with pupils who leave midyear?
Pupils who leave the school during year can either be deleted or moved into an archive class. If you delete the pupil then you will also permanently delete all of the achievement information held for that pupil which means their results will not appear on any reports or graphs you produce from the system. A better method is to archive the pupil at the end of the year by moving the pupil into the same archive class as all of the other school leavers. This means that the pupil details will still be on the system and available for reporting purposes.
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How much is STARS?
For the centrally hosted system that allows access from any PC connected to the Internet, the yearly subscription is 1000.00 (plus VAT). We also offer large discounts to existing customers running standalone servers who want to move to the centrally hosted server option.
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What is the support fee and what do I get?
Maintenance is included in the yearly fee for hosted STARS sites (SaaS Sites).
The support fee for standalone STARS servers starts at £300.00 (plus VAT) depending upon the number of pupils on the role. For this you get hardware support (repair or replacement including on-site engineer call out), continued access to the help desk via telephone and email, all of the latest upgrades as they become available and the ability to work with the developers of STARS to suggest new ideas and requirements for the system
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Can I extend the warranty on the STARS hardware?
Your STARS server is covered for repair or replacement under the Annual Support Contract. If you experience a problem with your server and you have a maintenance agreement with us then we will arrange for an engineer to visit and repair or replace your server as necessary. The Support Contract covers all of the hardware and cables but excludes consumables such as ZIP, CD or DVD discs. If you DO NOT have a support agreement with us you have the following options should you experience a problem with your server:
- Have the hardware repaired yourself - you own the equipment outright and can arrange for it to be repaired yourself without involving FourForm
- Send the equipment back to us (at your expense) and we will arrange for it to be repaired and returned to you at cost price
- Have an engineer visit you on site to examine and repair the equipment at cost price (plus engineer costs/expenses)
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Do you offer a referral fee?
Yes! For each installation that an existing customer recommends to us we will pay the school a referral fee. If you purchase STARS as a group of schools (for example a Cluster Group) and agree to have STARS installed at the same time, we will apply the referral fee to each site
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How do I know my license and support on STARS has expired?
There are a number of ways you will be informed that your license (and support) have expired. Firstly, as your subscription renewal approaches we will write to you and let you know of the current price to renew. The system will also start to let you know that the license will soon expire whenever an Admin user logs in. Finally, once your license has expired, you will no longer be able to connect to the STARS central server to receive updates to the software or download additional STARS packages.
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Help, my question isn't in this list!
Don't worry, if you can't find what you need in the manual or in this FAQ section then ring the Help Desk on 0845 8386860 or email Support@FourForm.com. All of our contact details are here.
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