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Dear PP’s
I agree with Joel as I was also facing the same conversion issue but then i renamed the .prx file to .exe file , Run it and it will auto self extract to several p3 files.
Then Import in the P6 through the P3 Import Option and it will be done.
Cheers,
Omair
In order to use any Primavera conversion utility to convert p3 files into xer files you need to have P3 or SureTrak installed or at least some files and or some registry values that will allow P6 to make the conversion. I do not know of a 100% standalone conversion utility that will do it without these requirements. If you like the conversion utility you need either P3 or Suretrak whether you like it or not. And both dinosaurs have issues with Windows 7, believe SureTrak with any version of windows 7 while P3 with Windows 7 x64.
I agree P3 and SureTrak are old dinosaurs but also believe P6 is a new dinosaur version, still cannot give you correct float values after resource leveling so dumb it even gives you free float values when displaying zero total float, still cannot model correctly shift work, when transferring files form external databases a lot of garbage is transferred, many people have issues with the installation, and the list goes on.
P6 is here because it is required at gunpoint by unscrupulous owners and specifiers that do not care about the needs of the contractor. At home the GSA and many American agencies are among those who promote the Primavera monopoly even when against the law, and I am not saying Primavera is breaking the law, no it is not their fault. These Agencies argue the ends justify the means, their strategy is that if there are no weapons of mass destruction they will create them, a bunch of hypocrites that break the law whenever they want to.
Even when I do not use P6, at times I receive files from all 3 dinosaurs, P3, SureTrak and P6. In addition and even more frequently I receive files in MS Project format, especially files by Subcontractors to be included as part of the GC Plan. I keep my SureTrak license with the only purpose of having a view old old SureTrak generated files and after having a view to be able to make the conversion using the conversion utility.
Yes P3, SureTrak and P6 are all dinosaurs, dinosaurs with wrong mathematical computations for the most basic CPM values.
Thanks Rafael for the option, but I think the P3 conversion program is the best (simplest) way to go, especially as P3 is disappearing from my world. SureTrak was just a paid-for tool that once worked, no reason to keep riding that horse. I try to insist that all schedules that I 'risk' be resource loaded .xer files, the conversion tool makes that a non-issue.
Another option might be:
Install Windows Virtual PC along with Windows XP Mode, it is free from Microsoft. Then you will be able to install SureTrak, P3 and P6 in the required order in your virtual XP machine.
Thereafter you shall have no problem here with the conversion. You will have a backup installation of P6 in your machine. You will have no operating systems issues with SureTrak as it has serious problems with windows 7 no matter if 32 or 64 bits. You will be able to use other associated software designed for Windows XP.
If you do not want to install P6 into your Virtual XP machine you can sill install P3, SureTrak and the conversion utility to perform the conversion and transfer the files among the virtual machine(s) and your system using the explorer as if moving files from different folders in your machine.
If you latter-on have issues with the installation you can delete your virtual machine, create a new one with no hidden file nor registry values that interfere with P6, if something happens you can try again and again without having to resort to extreme measures such as the infamous Format C of your machine, a solution suggested by others when having problems with their connection to the P6 database.
If you still need access to P3 and SutrTrak I strongly recommend the Virtual XP machine, don't fight against the operating systems.
The following link might be of help for those having issues with the xer import.
http://primavera.zxlm.cn/kb/prim73486
To read about issues with SureTak and Windows 7
To build on Ron's and Forest's statements.
I recently tried to open a P3 file in a P6 64bit system using Suretrak, changing the file extension, and the conversion program. I found that I could not open the prx file on my laptop because I had installed SureTrak after P6, whereas it would work on my desktop because SureTrak was installed before P6(except contractor had locked the file). I found that changing the file type to .exe had no effect whatsoever (I believe this is a 64bit issue). I then had the contractor send me the zipped .p3 files and here the order of installation of SureTrak re-asserted itself. The only consistent remedy was to have the contractor convert his prx file to xer (sent him the file and instructions from Oracle). File under for what-it-is-worth.
Currently having trouble opening my two SQL databases to verify what I just wrote. May have to amend this post after I solve this semi-reoccurring problem (a re-boot sometimes fixes this).
P6.7.3 working now (re-booted). However, SureTrak crashed/hung when trying to restore the prx file. Needed the unzipped .p3 files to work. P6 seemed to have no problem importing from .p3 files (again order of SureTrak installation important). Recommend that you give your contractors/subcontractors the P3 to xer conversion program. It seems to be the best solution (I still had some slight calendar issues). To echo Ron - good luck.
This string is the clearest explanation of how to import a P3 prx file to a P6 xer format. I found a few step are missing if you are using a x64 bit OS and remote file storage.
1) after changing the prx extension to exe, self extract through a Virtual Machine x32 OS; self extracting in a x64 OS caused an error
2) copy the folder with the extracted P3 files to a local drive; importing to P6 from a an Andrew File System (AFS) server caused an error
This string is the clearest explanation of how to import a P3 prx file to a P6 xer format. I found a few step are missing if you are using a x64 bit OS and remote file storage.
1) after changing the prx extension to exe, self extract through a Virtual Machine x32 OS; self extracting in a x64 OS caused an error
2) copy the folder with the extracted P3 files to a local drive; importing to P6 from a an Adrew File System (AFS) server caused an error
Email: PPadmin@planningplanet.com
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