 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Geoplot 3 Technical Support - Page 2
General Problems when using a Software Lock
If you want to run Geoplot on more than one computer there is no need to uninstall Geoplot each time - you just need to transfer the authorisation from one computer to another using Authmanw. Ensure that you are not using Norton SpeedDisk (it may be installed by default as part of the Utilities package) - see Installation chapter for more details.
When transfering the authorisation to or from the authorisation disk, ensure that the Authorisation Name is typed in lower case exactly as listed in the Installation Chapter - the name is dependent on the version of Geoplot being used. You must use the authorisation disk provided as the transfer medium - it cannot be any floppy disk. Also, you must use Authmanw to move the authorisation, you cannot copy or move the file using Windows - if you try to do so you will probably corrupt the authorisation.
If you encounter the message "(09) Error locating authorisation on specified drive!" or "(32) Invalid MASTER diskette" check to see that you have the "Transfer Authorisation To" and "Transfer Authorisation From" file path locations properly specified.
The standard defragmentation utilities supplied with Windows 3.1, 3.11, 95, 98, ME and NT4 do not usually cause any problems with the authorisation. Under some circumstances the defragmentation utilities supplied with Windows 2000 and XP can corrupt older Geoplot software lock authorisations (those supplied before May 2003). However this seems to be a very rare problem and does not affect authorisations issued after May 2003. To be safe, and where possible, you should not attempt to defragment in 2000 and XP if you have an older authorisation.
You can check to see where the authorisation is at any time using the Check utility in Authmanw. Enter the Authorisation Name and select the path where the authorisation should be then click OK. If it was successfully found a message will report the remaining number of installations - this will be 0 if on the hard-disk or 1 if on the floppy disk. If it was not successfully found a message will report "[24] Error locating specified authorisation !"
In some circumstances a corrupted authorisation can be reactivated remotely. This involves the user running the Modify utility in Authmanw, pointing at the floppy disk drive. Enter the Authorisation Name and select the path where the authorisation should be then click OK. The following form will report a 6 digit User Code which is then supplied to Geoscan Research (UK) and in return a new set of numbers will be provided to type into the Reset Code 1 field. Clicking OK should reactivate the authorisation on the disk.
Problems Transferring a Software Authorisation in 2000 or XP
If software authorisation transfer appears to go correctly but you receive an error message when you then try to start Geoplot it is probable your authorisation has been transferred to the wrong location. This can happen with some Windows 2000 and XP installations and usually the authorisation has been transferred to the Windows directory.
If you cannot locate the authorisation using Authmanw and Check, as described in the previous section, then use Windows Explorer or Windows Search facility (2000 and XP) to look for it as described next.
First ensure that any system files will be visible - in Windows Explorer or Search select Tools, Folder Options, and the View tab then set the "Hidden files and folders" radio button to "Show hidden files and folders". Also ensure that there is a tick next to "Display contents of system folders" and there is NO tick next to "Hide protected operating system files".
If you are using Windows Explorer click on the Search button or alternatively select Search on the Start menu then Files or Folders to begin the search. Enter gp300.ekb in the "named" field (or gp300d.ekb, gp300n5.ekb etc as listed in Chapter 2 Installation). Make sure "Look in" is set to the root directory. In a default installation the authorisation should be in directory C:\GP300\AX NF ZZ, though note that Authmanw will not list the AX NF ZZ directory when you specify where to transfer the authorisation to : it will just show C:\GP300 typically and this is correct. If you find the authorisation is not located where you expected through your settings in Authmanw but has ended up in the Windows directory, typically C:\WINNT or C:\WINDOWS, then the following procedure should relocate the authorisation to its correct position.
Close Windows Explorer and run Authmanw again. Select Remove from the main dialog box. Enter the authorisation name, set "Transfer Authorisation From" to the Windows directory (typically C:\WINNT or C:\WINDOWS) and set "Transfer Authorisation To" to the floppy disk drive. Leave Options set to Smart Remove. Click OK to transfer the authorisation. The authorisation should now be successfully put back onto the floppy disk. Now follow the normal procedure for transferring the authorisation from the floppy disk to the hard disk. You should now find the authorisation is placed correctly in the Gp300 (default) directory.
If the above procedure does not work then it is likely there is some background program that is intercepting system files and directing them to another location. If you know of a likely candidate for this action then disable it. If you do not know for sure then reboot the computer into Safe Mode, use the search facilities to find the .ekb file as described above. Use Authmanw to move the authorisation back to the floppy disk and then back to the hard disk as described above. Once the authorisation is correctly located reboot Windows in normal mode.
Problems downloading data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you experience problems downloading data then initial checks should include the following initial checks:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ensure you are using the correct download cable - see the appropriate Appendix in the manual for details.
Ensure the download cable is plugged into both the instrument and the computer.
Inspect the cable for damage - if possible test continuity of the cable according to details in App. C.
Check that the serial port on the computer is enabled - you may need to inspect the BIOS settings to confirm this. Please note that making incorrect changes to the system bios may prevent your PC from booting so consult your system documentation very carefully before doing so.
Try downloading to another to eliminate the computer serial port as a problem.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Computer Setup
Before you download you ensure that screen savers, battery standby, battery monitor, hard disk standby are disabled - a reminder is given on the dialog boxes. If you do not disable them, then when these become active they can interrupt the real-time handling of the data flow into the PC, leading to loss of data. As well as disabling screen savers, battery standby and battery monitor, make sure there are no other background tasks operating that may interrogate the serial ports or acquire CPU time, for example:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Some personal organiser synchronising software, by default, continually scans the serial ports for activity--this must be disabled before downloading data.
Some virus checkers may need disabling if they monitor the serial port and interupt the flow of data.
Software for modems may take control of the serial port and must be disabled. In some circumstance the serial port may not be active, most common on computers with internal modems and must be activated before you can download data. This may be done either using special utilities provided with your computer or by changing the system bios settings when you first start your computer. Please note that making incorrect changes to the system bios may prevent your PC from booting so consult your system documentation very carefully before doing so.
It is possible that if Windows, or one of its components, is not correctly installed, or conflicts occur within the hardware installation then you may have difficulty downloading data correctly. For example, you may have a mechanical switch that connects a single serial port to either a modem or an instrument for download - however, the modem driver / installation may be permanently trying to access the serial port at the same time.
You should disable Infrared ports since they also use the serial port and may interrogate it every 3 seconds by default.
Do not use a serial mouse since this will generate interupts that may affect data handling.
Running a portable computer from battery, rather than the mains supply can solve download difficulties (this was experienced on a DELL computer running Windows 98).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In all the above cases you should always restart your download software after making setup changes, and in many cases you will also have to reboot the operating system.
Geoplot Setup
If you are using Geoplot 3 to download data then check the following points:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Make sure the "Download RS232 COMM port" setting in the Environment Options, Input tab is set to the correct port number--by default this "1". Ensure that there is not a break in the cable.
Data download requires the version of MSCOMM.VBX dated 5/12/93. This is automatically installed with the other DLL and VBX files. If you experience problems with data download check to see if there are any other versions present on your machine and ensure it is not dated earlier than 5/12/93.
A progress report consisting of a bar and reading count is shown as the data is downloaded. If there is a large quantity of data and the computer is slow then you may get a "Buffer Overflow" or "Port Overrun" error message. If so, then go to Environment options and change the progress report to either Bar only or none at all. Also, do not move the mouse or progress form during download since this will generate a Windows call that will be serviced in preference to handling the RS232 data. The internal buffer may not have sufficient capacity to temporarily store the incoming data in the interim.
If you are using Windows 3.1 on an older, slower, computer (e.g. 486DX2) then it is advisable to make some changes to your System.ini file to improve throughput of data into the RS232 port and avoid buffer overflow. In the [386Enh] section add :
COMxBuffer=8192 (where x = the Comm port number)
COMxFIFO=On
If you are using Windows 3.11 you may also need to add :
COMxFIFO=0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It is possible that if Windows, or one of its components, is not installed correctly, or conflicts occur within the hardware installation then you may have difficulty downloading data correctly. For example, you may have a mechanical switch that connects a single serial port to either a modem or an instrument for download--however, the modem driver / installation may be permanently trying to access the serial port at the same time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Computer does not have a Serial Port
If your PC does not possess a serial RS232 port but does have a USB port then you should use a USB to serial adapter to download data. This could also be a solution if you continue to experience difficulties using a conventional serial port - see above. You will need Windows 95 with USB support, Windows 98 or higher. It is very important to follow the installation instructions for the adapter correctly otherwise it may not function - usually the driver is installed before plugging in the adapter. The driver software that accompanies the converter will probably assign its virtual COMM port to be a number greater than "1". If using Geoplot 3, you should select the Input tab in Environment Options and set "Download RS232 COMM Port" to match this number. (In XP and Vista you can check to see what port the converter is assigned to by clicking on Start, Control Panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager, Ports - follow a similar route for other operating systems. If the COMM port number is larger than the range offered by Geoplot you can change this by clicking on the Port Settings tab, then Advanced). Note that on some Windows installations the COMM port number changes each time Windows starts so you may have to monitor this and change the Options setting each time.
If you use a USB converter you will find that you have to exit Geoplot after a download in order to clear data left in the PC's buffer. For example, if you come to dump data and see the message "Receiving data
" instead of the normal "Waiting for data
", even though you have not yet pressed DUMP on the instrument, this is a sure sign that data is still left in the PC's buffer. If you do not exit Geoplot at this stage and continue downloading, the data will be scrambled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|