CMIS .ini File Guidance

The cmis.ini file controls the format of your timetable in CMIS and many other aspects of how the system behaves. This page will provide instructions on backing up and restoring your cmis.ini file, protecting you should the file become corrupted or you have to reinstall CMIS.

We recommend setting a reminder in your calendar to create a cmis.ini backup every 4-6 weeks.

Taking a Backup

  • Ensure CMIS is closed
  • Go to H:\CMIS
  • Right click on "cmis.ini" and select copy
  • Go to your personal storage drive, or wherever you wish to save your backup, and paste the file there
  • Rename the file to show clearly when it was saved, "December2014 cmis.ini" for example
  • Ensure you keep at least a few months of backups.

Restoring from a Backup

If CMIS begins to look or behave differently than normal, the first solution is to replace your current .ini file, which may have become corrupted, with a backup using the steps below:

  • Ensure CMIS is closed
  • Locate the most recent .ini backup copy you took
  • Right click and copy the backup .ini file
  • In H:\CMIS delete the current "cmis.ini", "cmis.bak", and "cmis.ba2" files
  • Right click and paste the backup "cmis.ini" file (renaming the file to "cmis.ini" if needed).

If your .ini file has become corrupted and you do not have a backup .ini file you can:

  • Request a colleague copy and email their cmis.ini file to you - if they manage similar spaces and courses this could get you a CMIS which looks and behaves similarly to your own.
  • Request the default .ini file from SMTT by raising an Ivanti Incident or emailing timetabling@glasgow.ac.uk - this .ini file will not be tailored to your area or uses, but will provide a baseline to start from.

Alternative Solution

While cmis.ini file corruption is the most common cause of problems in CMIS, it is possible for the connection file to become corrupted, affecting where and when data appears - it can also lead to crashing when ordering or filtering data. To replace your connection file follow the steps below:

  • Close CMIS
  • Go to H:\CMIS and delete file cmislive.MIS
  • Open CMIS again - this should download a clean copy of the connection file from the server
  • If a new copy of the connection file isn't downloaded on re-opening CMIS, try restarting your PC
  • N.B: You may have to change your data set and reset your filters.

If restoring your .ini file and obtaining a clean connection file has not solved your issue, please raise a call through the UofG Helpdesk or email timetabling@glasgow.ac.uk, attaching screenshots of any error messages or strange behaviours experienced.