Installation

The OSLO programs are available for a variety of computer platforms and operating systems. All programs are available for PC’s running Microsoft Windows, Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95, and Windows NT. OSLO PRO and OSLO SIX are also available for UNIX workstations from Sun and Hewlett-Packard. The installation instructions for UNIX versions are presented in the Program Reference manual. This section contains basic instructions for installing the PC versions of OSLO.

System requirements

OSLO requires an IBM PC or compatible computer with the following minimum specifications:

Hardware (minimum)

  • 80486-DX or Pentium CPU

    8 Mbytes random-access memory (RAM)

    Hard disk with 15 megabytes virtual memory

    VGA display

    Mouse with Microsoft compatible driver

    3.5" disk drive

    ID module (supplied with OSLO PRO and OSLO SIX)

  • Software

  • Windows 3.1, or
    Windows for Workgroups 3.11, or
    Windows 95, or
    Windows NT 3.51 or above.

    Win32s Rev 1.30 (required for Windows 3.1 or WFW 3.11 only)

  • A computer with a Pentium or above CPU is recommended for best performance in an interactive design environment. For ease in working with OSLO’s multi-window interface, an SVGA display with a resolution of 800x600 pixels (or more) is preferable to the VGA display.

    ID module

    The ID module (hardware key) is a small (approximately 2x5x1 cm) device with a 25-pin connector that plugs into the parallel printer port of the computer. The ID module must be plugged into the computer before OSLO PRO or OSLO SIX can be run. If you use another device on the parallel port (e.g., a printer or Ethernet interface) connect it to the ID module. OSLO Light and OSLO LT do not require an ID module.

    Win32s

    Win32s is a subsystem developed by Microsoft that enables Windows 3.1 or Windows for Workgroups 3.11 to run 32-bit application programs. If you are using one of these versions of Windows, Win32s must be installed in your computer before OSLO can be run (it is not required or allowed on Windows 95 or Windows NT). You can obtain Win32s directly from Microsoft product support on the Microsoft Network, Compuserve or at http://www.microsoft.com on the Internet. The file to download is PW1118.EXE in the Microsoft Software Library. You can also obtain Win32s by special order from Sinclair Optics. Installation instructions are provided in the file.

    If you already have Win32s installed on your computer to run another application, please note that the minimum level required by OSLO is Rev. 1.3.

    OSLO

    Before installing OSLO, check to make sure that your computer satisfies the system requirements, and that (if it is required) you have installed the Win32s subsystem described in the previous section.

    The OSLO installation program is automatic. The only installation option set by the user is the choice of a directory in which to install the software (the directory itself is created by the installation program). All files relating to OSLO are copied to subdirectories of the chosen directory. The installation procedure for standalone and networked computers is the same.

    Installing OSLO

    1. Put the OSLO disk in the floppy drive.
    2. Choose File >> Run in the Program Manager window (Windows 3.1, WFW 3.11, Windows NT 4.0), or in the Start menu (Windows 95).
    3. Type a:setup and select OK.
    4. When prompted, enter the full path name, or choose the default for the directory where the OSLO subdirectories and files are to be located. The setup program installs OSLO and creates a Program Group containing the OSLO icon.
    5. Double-click on the OSLO icon to run OSLO.

    Removing OSLO

    All files pertaining to OSLO are contained in the OSLO Installation directory. To remove them conveniently, you should use an MS-DOS window. If you try to remove OSLO using the File Manager (required under Windows NT), you will have to first change the attributes of hundreds of files that are marked read-only.

    1. Open an MS-DOS window under Windows, or exit Windows to DOS.
    2. Put a blank flexible disc in drive a:, then execute the following command :

    xcopy <install_directory> a: /S /D:<install_date>

    where <install_directory> is the complete path to the installation directory (e.g. c:\oslpro50) and <install_date> is the date of the installation directory (e.g. 02-14-96). This command will save any lenses or other files that you have added or modified to the flexible disc.

    1. Execute the following command:

    deltree <install_directory>

    This command will prompt you for confirmation, then remove all the OSLO files. Please note that the deltree command deletes all files and subdirectories, regardless of whether they are marked read-only.

    Window sizes and fonts

    Before using the program, you should take a few minutes to set up the windows and fonts to your preference. This is particularly recommended if you have a VGA display.

    1. With your mouse, grab the top of the text window frame and reduce the vertical size of the window as much as possible. Leave the horizontal size alone.
    2. With your mouse, grab a corner of the graphics window frame and reduce both the vertical and horizontal size as much as possible. Move the window to the upper right corner of the display. Note that you can change the size and shape of the graphics window to your preference. OSLO contains a special graphics subsytem that adapts to any window geometry.
    3. On the menu, click on Window, then on Graphics, then on New. Another graphics window will appear. Make it as small as possible, as in step 2, and move it to the lower right corner of the display.
    4. On the menu, click on Options, then on Fonts. A list of fonts will appear, together with font styles and sizes. If you have Lucida Sans Typewriter, select it; if not, select Courier New or Fixedsys. Choose Regular or Bold according to your preference. If you have a VGA display, enter 7 for size using the keyboard (the smallest value in the combo list will be 8, but 7 will be accepted if you key it in). If you have an SVGA display, choose 8 - 10 point according to your preference. After these entries, click OK. Another font selection box will appear. For this, use Arial Bold, and again (if you are using VGA) enter 7 for the size. Then dismiss the box by clicking OK. A message will appear in the main window indicating that your changes will not be effective until the program is restarted.
    5. Click on File, then Exit the program. Then double click on the OSLO icon to restart it. The text window should appear smaller than before, because of the smaller font. Reopen the second graphics window using the same procedure as before. Note that it appears in the proper position.
    6. Click on the toolbar icon that is fifth from the left (or press the F5 key). This will open the lens surface data spreadsheet. If you have a VGA display, the spreadsheet will cover up part of the text window. Grab the bottom of the spreadsheet frame and drag it up above the text window. Then adjust the size of the graphics windows until you have used all of the available area of the display.
    7. Exit the program and restart it to save the final windows positions.

    VGA 640x480 display with 8 pt fonts:

    VGA 640x480 display with 7 pt fonts:

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