Accu-Chek Products » Information Management » Accu-Chek Compass » Frequently Asked Questions

Accu-Chek Compass FAQ's

What are the minimum PC requirements?

• Following is a list of the computer system requirements needed to use the Accu-Chek Compass software.
  * IBM-compatible computer
  * Available 9-pin RS232 serial/COM port
  * For connectivity with meters using InfraRed, a separate IR to serial (COM) port lead is required (separate device) and is supplied with the Compass software
  * Not USB enabled / Not USB compliant (USB to serial adaptor included)
  * Pentium 90 or higher
  * Windows 98SE, Windows NT 4.0, Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 2000
  * CD-ROM drive
  * 50 MB (minimum) available hard disk space
  * 32 MB (minimum) RAM
  * Graphics card that supports a resolution of 800x600 and 256 colors or higher
  * Mouse
  * Assistance from Microsoft or other PC vendors may be required to resolve communication conflicts
• Your computer must have an available 9-pin serial COM port (serial interface cable provided with theCompass software)
• NOTE: The software is not USB compatible nor can the Accu-Chek meters download directly to an Infra-Red port on a PC

I have downloaded my results but can't view them in the reports?

• Select Accu-Chek Compass Tab (on the left hand side of the screen)
• Click on 'Diary Data'
• Check the dates of the data downloaded (particularly the year as this may not have been set on the meter correctly e.g. 2000 or 2030 instead of 2003)

Assuming the dates are correct;

• Go to one of the reports and check the appropriate date range has been selected
• Click onto 'View' on the task bar
• Select 'Report Settings Bar'
• Choose either specific date range or previous 7, 14 or 30 days (whichever options you wish that include the dates of the data downloaded)

If the dates are not correct;

• Delete all entries in the diary which have incorrect dates
• Re-download results from the meter
• Before saving the data, click 'Review' to edit the data
• Double click on each result displaying an incorrect date
• Alter the date for each result, then save the data (note that once the downloaded data has been saved, it is not possible to edit the glucose result or the time/date from within the diary)

Date Format in the Diary is Incorrect;

• The data in the diary may be displayed in an inappropriate format (e.g. Month/Day/Year). This is a function of the settings within the PC, not the Compass software
• Date and time formats on the PC can usually be changed under 'My Computer', 'Control Panel', then 'Regional Settings', although this may vary from PC to PC. The setting should be set to UK format and under the 'Date' Tab, the date format should be dd/mm/yy in the short date style and dd mm yyyy in the long date style
• Note that the PC should also be set to the 24-hour clock to prevent problems using the Time Blocks in the Compass software. Time format can usually be changed using 'Regional Settings' and the 'Time' tab. Change time style to HH:mm:ss. If the PC setting is in the UK format, the clock should already be set to 24-hours

How do I enter insulin results?

• It is not possible at present to add insulin values to data downloaded from an Accu-Chek meter. This is due to a bug in the current software. This has been rectified in the next version of the software (1.1)
• It is possible to edit insulin data on those readings that have an associated insulin result downloaded froma Glucotrend Premium meter
• It is also possible to add insulin readings to manually entered glucose results
• Therefore if you wish to add insulin levels to downloaded data, you can manually input the same data as that downloaded, with the addition of the insulin values, then delete the original downloaded data as it is now duplicated

• In order to enter a manual result;

• Select 'Diary Data'
• Select 'Add Record'
• Fill in the appropriate fields and click 'OK'

• To delete records in the diary;

• Highlight the record and click 'Delete Record'

How do I back up my data?

• The software gives you the option to back up your data every time you close the program. If you say 'no' to this, the data is not backed up. If you say 'yes', then 'save', data is copied to a default folder on the PCs hard drive
• You can alter where the back-up file is saved to by choosing a different location (including a floppy disk) before clicking on 'save'
• Note the data file may be too large to back up to a floppy disk. If this is the case, the file must be 'zipped' to reduce its size so it can now fit on the disk. This function is performed differently depending on the system being used so refer back to Microsoft technical support for assistance. The file that contains all the data in the software is usually located under c:\program files\Accu-Chek Compass\Data
• The diary data may also be printed off on a regular basis as a form of back up

What do I do if the computer can't detect my meter?

Check the following:

1. The meter cable is connected securely to the PC and the meter has been properly set up in it's download mode
2. Which serial COM port is being used on the PC;
   -In the software, go to 'Tools'
   -Select 'System Options'
   -Select each of the 4 com port settings in turn and try downloading again for each com port setting
3. Meter Battery Power
   -Verify that the batteries in the meter are not weak as a high level of power is required during a download
   -If in doubt, replace the batteries
4. Verify that the COM port is enabled but not in use by another program or serial device such as a mouse, modem, digital camera, scanner, Palm Pilot or other PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). It is especially important when downloading the Compact or Active meters that all other IR devices are disabled (including any in-built InfraRed port) and all programs that may be running in the background are closed.
5. If a handheld PDA is being used, verify that HotSync is disabled (you may find the icon for this on the task bar at the bottom of the PC display)
6. If using Compact or Active meters, ensure that the IR dongle (Tecram Irmate 210) has not been enabled as an InfraRed port (disable if necessary). This can usually be checked in the 'Device Manager'. Note that the IR dongle must be recognised and function as a COM port, not as an IR device
7. Disable any internal modem (usually this is done using 'Device Manager')
8. The Advantage meter may not always download first time, as it sometimes needs to 'wake up'. Try repeating the download but press the 'On/Off' button on the meter a couple of times during downloading as this may activate the download process.
9. Verify that the battery in the cable is not weak. This only applies to healthcare professional customers using the universal adapter. If in doubt, replace the battery
10. There may be a problem with either the software, the cable or the meter. This is very unlikely but contact the technical support department at Roche for further assistance (0808 1001920)

How do I download readings from my meter?

a) Active meter

• Start the Compass program
• Select 'Download Meter'
• Press and hold the M button on the Active meter until PC flashes on the display
• Place the meter on a flat surface and align the IR windows on the cable and meter
• Click 'OK' when ready to start. DO NOT move the cable or meter during the data transfer
• When the meter has been detected, the green light on the IR port will flicker and it will take a few second to download. The meter must be assigned to a patient the first time it is downloaded.
• The review screen will appear on the computer if there are any invalid readings (these have a red exclamation mark next to them and are usually missing time and date)
• At this point you can edit time and date of any of the downloaded results
• Any invalid results MUST be edited as they will not be saved
• Once all the readings are correct, save the data and review in the Diary

b) Compact meter

• Start the Compass program
• Select 'Download Meter'
• Press and hold the 'Memo' and 'Set' buttons until diagonal arrows appear across the meter display
• Place the meter on a flat surface and align the IR windows on the cable and meter
• Click 'OK' when ready to start. DO NOT move the cable or meter during the data transfer
• When the meter has been detected, the green light on the IR port will flicker and it will take a few seconds to download. The meter must be assigned to a patient the first time it is downloaded.
• The review screen will appear on the computer if there are any invalid readings (these have a red exclamation mark next to them and are usually missing time and date)
• At this point you can edit time and date of any of the downloaded results
• Any invalid results MUST be edited as they will not be saved
• Once all the readings are correct, save the data and review in the Diary

c) Advantage and Glucotrend Premium meters

• Start the Compass program
• Select 'Download Meter'
• Connect the appropriate cable to the meter and the PC
• Select 'Download Meter'
• The review screen will appear on the computer if there are any invalid readings (these have a red exclamation mark next to them and are usually missing time and date)
• At this point you can edit time and date of any of the downloaded results
• Any invalid results MUST be edited as they will not be saved
• Once all the readings are correct, save the data and review in the Diary

How do I delete test results from my meter using compass?

If you use Advantage or Premium meters, you can delete the entire memory using the Compass software:

• Connect the meter to the PC as if you are downloading data
• Go to 'Meter' on the task bar
• Select 'Clear Meter Memory'
• Follow instructions on the screen

This option is not available if using Compact or Active meters