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Frequently Asked Questions
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No. The SPIDR is usually pre-programmed before we send it out for rental. Unless you need to monitor the SPIDR, or if you need to change the program details, our software is not required.
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No, DOS FlowComis not Y2K compliant. The only software that should be used to communicate with a SPIDR is the current version of FlowCom. FlowCom is backward compatible with older SPIDR's and will add greater functionality.
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The latest version of FlowCom is available for download from this web site. Click here to go to the software page, which lists the current version and has a link to download FlowCom. If requested with a rental, we will also send out a copy of our software and an interface cable. |
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FlowCom will run on any PC capable of running Windows 98, 2000, XP or Vista with enough hard drive for downloads (at least 5MB) and one available RS232 or USB serial port.
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To install FlowCom, simply place the CD into the computer and run "SETUP.EXE". The installation wizard will then guide you through the installation process. For any other questions, please refer to section two of the SPIDR manual. Please note that FlowCom must be correctly installed on your hard drive, and will not run off the CD.
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If you downloaded FLOWCOM 32 from our website, you received a file called FLOW32.EXE. This is a self-extracting zip file and should be saved in a temporary directory. To begin installing FLOWCOM 32, run this file to unzip all the installation files. One of these files will be called SETUP.EXE. Run this file to begin the FLOWCOM 32 installation wizard which will then guide you through the installation process. For any other questions, please refer to section two of the SPIDR manual.
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There are several capped connectors around the SPIDR, only one of which will be the communication port. The interface cable supplied by DRC connects the communication port on the SPIDR to either the serial or USB port on your computer.? USB or serial communication must be specified when ordering to make sure the appropriate cable is sent with the SPIDR to the field.
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Press the 'Start' button on the desktop and highlight the folder called 'Programs'. This will cause several other folders to appear one of which is called 'SPIDR'. Highlight this folder and a shortcut called 'FC32' will appear. Click on this and Flowcom 32 will begin running.
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This is due to the fact that the laptop on which Flowcom 32 is loaded does not have a printer driver installed. To avoid this problem, a printer driver must be added. To do this, press the 'Start' button on the desktop, go to 'Settings' and select 'Printers'. This will open a window with an icon called 'Add Printer'. Double click on the icon. The "Add Printer Wizard" will begin running. Press 'Next'. Select 'Local Printer' and press 'Next'. A window with a list of printers will appear. On the left side scroll down to and highlight 'Generic'. Now on the right side, highlight 'Generic / Text Only' and press 'Next'. Now highlight 'LPT1' and press 'Next' twice. Select no when asked if you would like to print a test page and press 'Finish'. The computer will install a "dummy" printer and Flowcom 32 should run fine.
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Some laptop computers have additional hardware and software to regulate power consumption. Turn off any power management software and re-boot the computer. If the battery level in the laptop is low then this will cause problems in communicating with the SPIDR, make sure the batteries are fully charged and in good condition. Also, make sure that the COM port is configured correctly in FLOWCOM 32, as it is common for a laptop to have an internal modem occupying one of the COM ports. To set the COM port in FLOWCOM 32, click on the word 'Options' at the top of the Main Menu Screen. A drop-down menu will open. Highlight 'COM Port' and a list of the available COM ports will appear. Click on one of the listed COM ports.
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FLOWCOM 32 creates a .DLD file whenever a SPIDR is downloaded. A .DLD is a duplicate of the .MK2 file, however it is tagged read-only. This enables the user to keep an original copy of the data in the .DLD and keep an edited copy of the data in the .MK2.
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FLOWCOM 32 uses its own file format, any file with a .MK2 or .DLD extension can only be read by FLOWCOM 32. To convert a .MK2 or .DLD file to an ASCII format, open the file you want to convert and go to the FLOWCOM 32 File Menu and choose 'Make Text File'. You will then be prompted for a file name. The file is stored with the extension .TXT and the data can now be imported into most software packages.
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Call DRC (281) 444 5398 to discuss current rental prices and availability for laptop rentals..
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