Sunday MLS/phone support

[Biggles]

Yes, I'm a stake technology specialist.

Just to confirm, if I'm in a ward clerk's computer as an administrator, then I can get the entire security token reset process working on my own? It would be ideal to deliver a new fully working clerk computer without needing to schedule a face-to-face meeting.

To be clear MLS will only run in a unit PC administrator account. The MLS administrator account is something different, it gives limited access to the functions in MLS itself. The administrator option just makes it easier to confirm that the security token has been reset correctly.
Others on the forum have successfully copied all the necessary files from one computer to another, without needing to contact the GSC. However I’ve never been successful with doing that.

I’ve changed over quite a few clerk computer’s in the last few years and have made a simple call, as the TS, to the GSC to have the token reset. Usually within a few minutes, with the GSC still on the line, you can confirm that everything is good!

In my own ward I happen to be the ward clerk, which means I have a better understanding of the process.

[russellhltn]

Others on the forum have successfully copied all the necessary files from one computer to another, without needing to contact the GSC. However I’ve never been successful with doing that.

It's worked perfectly for me for at least 3 rounds of stake-wide computer replacements. (Yes, I've been STS that long)

I think the key is:

• Make sure MLS on the new machine is up to date. In the past the computers have come pre-loaded with an outdated version. New files on an old version may not work. However the latest round with the Provisioning Tools does seem to install the current version.
• Load the files on the new machine using the clerk's account. Otherwise, you have to play with permissions. Failure to do this can result in having to run MLS "As administrator" to get it to work.
• Delete the old folder before copying the new one. Otherwise, you might get a weird mix of old and new files.

[russellhltn]

So should my process work like so?

* Inform the ward I'm going to upgrade their computer that week. Before they can use their MLS again on a new computer, a bishopric member must use MLS to unlock it.

I'm a little puzzled by this step. You'll want to have them log into MLS to make a current backup file. Otherwise, you might be loading old data. As far as "unlocking MLS", I'm not sure as it will stay that way if you hibernate the machine. MLS will most certainly require re-logging in if the program is restarted.

Off hand, I don't know as a MLS login is required to restore the unit files onto the new machine.

[brad_p]

Others on the forum have successfully copied all the necessary files from one computer to another, without needing to contact the GSC. However I’ve never been successful with doing that.

I’ve changed over quite a few clerk computer’s in the last few years and have made a simple call, as the TS, to the GSC to have the token reset. Usually within a few minutes, with the GSC still on the line, you can confirm that everything is good!

Yes, I've never been able to copy files over, the security token always needs a reset.

So my game plan sounds like the following:

* Before I start, have the ward create for me an MLS account with administrator rights on their computer
* Sometime mid week, I take that computer home with me. This is done to ensure they aren't going to use it during that time. I don't want a financial clerk at the office making a check on the old computer at the same time I'm at home on the new computer asking for a security token reset.
* I install MLS on the new computer through the process the church lays out (I've done this several times, I have this part down.)
* Copy MLS files from the old computer to the new computer.
* On the new computer, go through the MLS login process. Get to the point where I log in with my MLS administrator account.
* At this point, call church HQ, get the security token reset.
* I do a few rounds of send/receive. Everything is good to go. I deliver the new computer back into the clerk's office. They don't have to do any new steps.