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Technical Notes
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This section is meant for technicians configuring networks on which to run OPTO.

General

Opto is a combination DOS/Windows program and works on the following operating systems: 

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Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows NT, Windows ME, Windows 95/98

Configuring  a Windows 95/98 System

General

bulletSet file handles in the Windows config.sys file to Files=255 then reboot.
bulletCreate a shortcut on the Windows desktop to the OPTO\PROGRAM\OPTO.EXE file (we normally set the program to run at �full screen�).
bulletIf program does not start on OPTO's Program Menu screen (black and white screen) but goes straight to the Main Menu on execution, call OPTO at 1-800-255-6786 for more tech support. (Note: The Program Menu is necessary for running OPTO utility functions)
bulletIt is best to disable any screen savers (We also suggest disabling any power management features in both the Bios and Windows control panel)
bulletNote: For Windows 95 computers: A patch is necessary to fix a Windows locking problem with the vredir.vxd file.  You may request a copy of the patch from OPTO support or download the patch directly from the Microsoft website: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q148/3/67.asp  
bulletFor information on how set up Peer to Peer Networks go to the following website: http://www.sourcemagazine.com/archive/200/feature4.asp

Networking (Peer to Peer Networks)

The OPTO program must be loaded on only one computer (referred to hereafter as the server) in the network.  The program and database may be executed across the network by configuring as follows:

Server

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 Enable �file and printer sharing� under network properties

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Share the drive upon which the OPTO directory is located and ensure that users have full access rights.

Each Workstation

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Set file handles statement in the config.sys file to Files=255. You must reboot for this to take effect.

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Map a network drive to the shared drive on the server. We generally recommend F:

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Create a shortcut on the Windows desktop to the \OPTO\PROGRAM\OPTO.EXE  file on the server using the mapped network drive and set  program attributes to start in �full screen� mode.

Printer Setup

Primary Parallel Printers for Network Printing:

bulletWhen setting up network printing in Windows for computers printing across a network, the printer ports must be captured.  This may be achieved when setting up a network printer in the �add printer wizard� by selecting �Yes� when asked �Do you print from MS-DOS based programs� and following the onscreen prompts.  You may also capture the ports manually after the install. (See Windows Help for further information)

Primary Parallel Printers for Local Printing:

bulletSetup a local printer on the computer and do not capture to the network.
bulletNote: the word processor uses port specific drivers.  For offices using WordStar as the primary word processor for communication letters, we recommend that the primary network laser printer/s are either physically connected to and/or utilize LPT1 as the captured port device. In instances where this is not feasible, contact OPTO for further support.

 Secondary Parallel Network Printer

bullet In instances of a user requiring specific tasks to be done on a unique secondary network printer (such as patient labels or checks) a secondary parallel port LPT2 will need to be installed on a computer in the network. 

Serial Printers

 General

Serial Printers are used in OPTO for the printing of patient or bar-code labels and connects to a computer via Com port. The program includes print drivers for the following two serial printers:

bullet Star Micronics: Model DP8340
bulletCostar Thermal Printer: Model SE250
bulletDymo: Model SE300

 Label Printer Setup

bulletSetup network printing in Windows using the �Generic Text � Windows print driver. (You do not need to install the specific drivers for these printers either from Windows or the manufacturer, although it doesn't hurt to do so.)
bulletOn the computer with the label printer physically attached edit the Windows system.ini file as follows:
bullet Under the [386Enh] subsection enter the command below, save and then reboot.
bullet Com(x)Autoassign=2     (Where (X) is the Com Port number)
bulletContact OPTO support at 1-800-255-6786 in order to complete the configuration settings within the OPTO program .

Configuring OPTO on a Novell Platform

For Windows 95/98 workstations accessing a Novell server

bulletSee the section on configuring OPTO on a Windows 95/98 Platform.

For Dos Workstations

bulletSet the File Handles line in NET.CFG to 75 or more
bulletEnsure that any search paths include both the OPTO and WordStar programs (e.g.: F:\OPTO\PROGRAM;F:\WS6;F:\WS6\DCT)
bulletPrinting is configured using standard procedures for capturing printer ports and routing to print queues on the Novell server. We recommend avoiding the use of VLM drivers.

Configuring a Windows NT 4.0  Network

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Ensure that each Windows NT computer has been upgraded with Service Pack 6.0A or later. Version of Operating System should be NT 4.0

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NT Servers should run as dedicated servers on the network.

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Networking Protocols with a strong Netbios component (such as Netbeui) should be run in addition to any other network protocols desired. If using strictly TCP/IP for internet connectivity as well as the internal LAN, then ensure that a WINS server is available on the network to service Netbios requests.

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Opto may be configured to run locally on any NT Server or Workstation by mapping a shortcut to the OPTO\PROGRAM\OPTO.EXE file and then setting file handles in the config.nt file to FILES=100 (computer does not need to be rebooted after modification to the config.nt file)

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A mapped drive letter should be mapped from each workstation to a shared application directory or drive on the server. Ensure a persistent connection by checking �reconnect at logon�

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Server must allow �read and write� permissions access to the Opto Directory and subdirectories.

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Printing within Opto must be altered to print to the UNC name of the printer share. (NT will not allow direct access to any of the computer hardware including printer ports)

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Printer configurations within Opto are located at: F7-F7-F6-F2.

Transfer of the OPTO Program to a new Server

bulletThe OPTO Program, databases, associated programs and files may be transferred in their entirety to a new server without the necessity to specifically run a setup utility.  The following directory trees must be moved and placed in the same hierarchical order on the new server. (Note: We suggest that the following directories be placed in the root of the computer�s primary drive)
bullet[OPTO] � Contains OPTO program and all database files.
bullet[Ws6] � The WordStar word processing program and associated print drivers.
bulletOptionally transfer the following: (not essential to execution of OPTO program)
bullet[Personal] � May contain personal user letters.
bulletOn Novell systems: \USERS\OPTO.
 

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