87 Express Professional Version 1.0.0 /*************************************************************************** This file contains important information regarding the current state of this utility. Please read this before installing and using the 87 Express Pro utility. ***************************************************************************/ /******** CONTENTS ********/ 1.) Requirements for running the 87 Express Pro utility 2.) Installation Instructions /********************************************************** Requirements for running 87 Express Pro Software Application. ***********************************************************/ In order to run 87 Express Pro there are a few things that must be in place and a few notes to take into account. These items include software and hardware and are as follows: 87 EXPRESS Pro SOFTWARE 1.) 87 Express Pro requires a Pentium class computer with a processor speed of 200 MHz or better. 64Meg of RAM or more is reccomended (with at least 5Meg available for this application). This application should be run at a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or better (although it will also run under 800x600). 87 Series Displays FIRMWARE 1.) 87 Express Pro will work with all major releases of firmware that has shipped within 87 Series displays. Some older versions may limit some of the functionality within the utility. If you have an older version display, and want all the functionality offered by the utility, contact Vorne for details on how to remedy this. HARDWARE 1.) Communication with the displays is a two-way process. That is, the utility sends information to the displays and then expects a response indicating that the communication was successful. This means you MUST have 87 Series displays and M1000 displays wired for 2 way communication. In RS-232 mode, there should be 3 wires running between the displays and your computer. In RS-422 mode, there should be 5 wires running between the displays and your computer. /**************************************************************************** Installation Instructions ****************************************************************************/ NOTE: If you have previously installed 87 Express Pro for Windows at any time on this machine, the cleanest way to upgrade to the latest version is to uninstall the old version prior to running this install. To do this, from the start menu, choose the control panel option. In there, choose 'Add/Remove Software'. From there, find 87 Express Pro in the list of installed software. Click on it and then click on the 'Add/Remove' button. When asked if you are sure you want to remove 87 Express Pro and all it's associated files, choose 'Yes'. However, if you have already defined many displays or many messages for M1000 displays, it may be better to choose what gets installed. In this case, it is best simply to run the latest version install and choose 'Repair' when it prompts you for the type of install you want to run. This option will install all of the program files without overwriting the files you have created/modified. NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU INSTALL TO THE SAME DIRECTORY THAT YOU DID ORIGINALLY. 1.) Installing 87 Express Pro for Windows. Whether you are installing 87 Express Pro for Windows from 3-1/2" diskettes or from a downloaded file from our website, the procedure is basically the same. If you did download it over the internet, then you must first 'unzip' the file you receive. This file will be named 'EightySevenExpressInstall.exe'. All you need to do to 'unzip' it is to double click on the file. It will automatically expand into several files, one of which will be named 'Setup.exe'. If you are installing from diskettes, then the diskette labeled 'Disk 1' will contain the 'Setup.exe' file. Simply insert it into the disk drive and you are ready to go. From this point, installation is the same for either method. A.) You need to run the setup.exe program in order to start the installation. This can be done many ways, but the two most common are mentioned here: - Open the Windows Explorer, search for the location of the folder containing the setup.exe file in the window pane on the left, then double click on the setup.exe file in the window pane on the right. - OR - - From the Start Menu, choose 'Run..'. Then, click the 'Browse' button. From here you can search for the folder containing the setup.exe program. When you select the proper folder, you should see all the files currently in that folder. Choose the setup.exe file, then click on the 'OK' button. Click on 'OK' again and the installation will begin automatically. B.) Now you simply follow the instructions from screen to screen. You will be prompted for some information including the following: What folder to install the 87 Express Pro for Windows program files into, what folder group to place the 87 Express Pro icons in on the start menu. There is no need to change these items from their defaults. They are just there for your convenience. 2.) Files installed with 87 Express Pro for Windows that must not be modified, moved, or deleted. The following files are placed directly in or under the directory chosen for install: EightySevenExpress.exe The 87 Express Pro executable file. EightySevenExpress.hlp The 87 Express Pro help file. EightySevenExpress.cnt The 87 Express Pro help contents file. EightySevenExpress.ini The configuration file for 87 Express Pro. Readme.txt This readme file. Params.* Many firmware parameter configuration files. ExampleDataExport.xls A sample data export spreadsheet.