Q.        What are the minimum hardware requirements for the PC?

A.        The only special requirement is that the PC have at least one full-sized ISA slot available for installation of the OpenASPECT interface card.  Otherwise, any PC operating under Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 may be used.

Q.        What are the minimum operating system requirements for the PC?

A.        No special requirements are known at this time.  The software should operate properly under any version of Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, or 2000.

Q.        What is the best way to install the PC software?

A.        Is always safe to use the Install/Uninstall software feature which may be accessed via the Windows control panel.  Under Windows 95, 98, and 2000 it may be quicker and easier to either use Windows Explorer to start the setup.exe program on the installation floppy, or just click on start/run a:\setup.exe.  Under Windows NT 4.0 it is recommended to use the Install/Uninstall feature in order to be certain that the installation is recorded for future uninstall if desired.

Q.        How may the PC software be uninstalled?

A.        First, use the Install/Uninstall software feature in the Control Panel to uninstall.  There will be a message at the end that not all files could be removed.  Follow this by using Windows Explorer or My Computer to simply delete the entire folder where OpenASPECT for Windows was installed.  This will completely remove the software.

Q.        Is there a version of the PC software available for use under DOS?

A.        Yes, but it lacks the user-friendly features of the Windows version.  It can be supplied upon special request by email to doug@mrr.com.

Q.        What should I do if I get a message that the PC cannot see the interface card?

A.        First, turn off the PC and make certain that the PC interface board is securely seated in its ISA slot in the PC.  Then check that the switch settings on the board match the PC IP address entered into the software when it was configured.  The manual explains this step in more detail.  The switches can be visually observed to determine their settings, and the software configuration may be queried by clicking on “Configure” on the main OAW window.  If you change the setting, you will have to close and re-start OAW before the change takes effect.  If the problem persists, click on Start/Settings/Control Panel/System and click on the Device Manager tab.  Look for any devices with question marks or other indications of problems.  Double click on any such devices and then click on the Resources tab.  Look for “Input/Output Range” indications and check for overlap with the port addresses used by the The OpenASPECT PC interface board.  The board uses eight addresses, based on the PC IP address selected by the switches on the board.  For example, if the default setting of 208 is used, the board will use the (hexidecimal) addresses 208, 209, 20A, 20B, 8208, 8209, 820A, 820B.  If none of these steps resolves the problem, contact MR Resources for hardware support.

Q.        Where do I connect the cable to the ASPECT 3000?

A.        The only supported option is to connect to the “SDC2” connector.  This will be on the rear of the ASPECT 3000 on the bottom of the board labeled A.  It should be indicated by a diagram on the ASPECT chassis above the board.  Use caution since there are multiple connectors on the back of the ASPECT that would be physically compatible with the supplied cable.  Damage to the ASPECT may result if the cable is incorrectly attached.

Q.        How do I obtain a registration number and get rid of the annoying “Trial Period” screen?

A.        Please contact MR Resources and supply them with the “Registration Code” that appears on the screen.  If your purchase order and payment for OpenASPECT have been received, they will send you an “Authorization Code” which should then be entered into the space provided on the “Trial Period” screen. 

Q.        Is there any loss of functionality during the “trial period”?

A.        No, except that the software will no longer run after the 30 day period has expired. 

Q.        Does OpenASPECT change the ASPECT files in any way?

A.        No.  The transferred files are byte-for-byte copies of the originals.

Q.        How can I avoid overwriting my original files if I want to copy a file back from the PC.  Can I just rename the file on the PC first?

A.        Renaming the file on the PC will have no effect, and will not prevent the original data from being overwritten on the ASPECT.  You must either rename the data on the ASPECT using the ADAKOS REN command, or use the special renaming utility for the PC supplied with OpenASPECT. 

Q.        Why does OpenASPECT sometimes rename my files?

A.        Depending on the operating system, some ASPECT file names may not be compatible with the PC.  The original ASPECT file name is stored in the “minus one” sector of the data, and will be restored when the file is returned to the ASPECT.

Q.        Can I transfer non-ASPECT files from the PC to the ASPECT?

A.        No.  OpenASPECT will detect non-ASPECT files and refuse to transfer them.  However, a special utility supplied with OpenASPECT may be used to convert simple text files into ASPECT files, which may then be transferred to the ASPECT.  This features can be useful for creating AU programs and other ASPECT text files using the more convenient text editors available for the PC.

Q.        Can I transfer files to the PC under automation?

A.        Yes.  Both ASPECT EXE files and DISNMR AU files may incorporate OpenASPECT commands, and hence may be used to transfer files to the PC under automation.  For example, an AU program may use the PASC command together with OpenASPECT commands to send data files to the PC as they are acquired.

Q.        Can data files transferred to the PC using OpenASPECT be analyzed on the PC?

A.        Yes, using any of several NMR analysis programs available for the PC.  One commonly used package is Acorn NMR “NUTS”, also available from MR Resources.

Q.        May I use the PC to archive my ASPECT files?

A.        Yes.  Any method used for archiving PC files may be used to archive files transferred from the ASPECT via OpenASPECT.  Some archiving media, such as CDR disks, cause the “read only” bit to be set on the files.  However, this will have no effect on an ASPECT file, since the “read only” bit is stripped away when the file is transferred back to the ASPECT.  For a convenient method of archiving large amounts of NMR data, please consider NMRArchive, a program for the PC which is also available from MR Resources.

Q.        What should I do if I find a bug or if I think of an enhancement that I would like to see in OpenASPECT for the PC?

A.        Please send reports of any bugs, and any ideas for enhancements, to  doug@mrr.com.