Posted by
Zdenek Svindrych on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Leica-TCS-SP2-LCS-and-Win7-tp7582853p7582924.html
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Good job, Ondrej!
However, don't be too optimistic about Win7.
I've tried LCS in simulator mode, and it was unable to open files. Maybe you
could be able to save them, I can't test it with the simulator, anyway I
doubt it.
I had to setup a virtual machine with XP to run the software (simulator),
but this is not going to work with all the hardware. Also note that only
VMware (no commercial interest) is able to virtualize parallel port, the
other option is to emulate the dongle (which is illegal, not necessarily
unethical).
Fortunately, XP is a good OS and there is still lot of supported hardware.
Only the PCI slots are becoming scarce...
Best,
zdenek svindrych
KCCI, University of Virginia
---------- Původní zpráva ----------
Od: Ondrej Sebesta <
[hidden email]>
Komu:
[hidden email]
Datum: 14. 11. 2014 11:27:52
Předmět: Re: Leica TCS SP2, LCS and Win7
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Dear List
At first thank you a lot for all the advices. I found one eliminated older
computer (Pentium4, 1Gb RAM) with Win XP at our faculty, so I used it for a
test fresh installation of LCS under win XP. As was adviced I would like to
have a reserve computer in stock so it would be possible to turn back in
case of any troubles with win7 and LCS.
So far I was able to install it properly and I would like to share my
experience with you.
1) First of all it is really good idea to back up complete system including
your data, of course.
You will need a hardware configuration files stored in the LCS program
folder "Calibration Data". Back up these settings carefully somewhere
else(e.g. flash drive). You will find usefull to backup complete LCS program
folder (in Program Files) and LCS folder in "Documents and Settings/user,
where IPS profiles are stored. This is important.
2) You will need the installation file of your current version of LCS.
Alternatively you may use the LCS backuped files and copy them on the new
computer, however I did not test this.
3) It is very good idea carrefully examine your hardware and current
versions of your hardware - especially SCSI driver, serial bus (COM)
drivers, LPT drivers and multifuncton I/O adapters. In my case it was
Adaptec SCSI Card 29160 -ultra 160 SCSI (SCSI port where scanner is
connected); Decision PC COM PCI 4 port (it is multiport serial adapter where
on which laser table is connected); netMOS9835 PCI Multi-I/O controller
(driving my additional serial port where a motorized stage controller is
connected). Note down numbers of used COM ports and their setting (bitrate,
parity, stopbits etc.) and versions of used drivers.
4) In case you are spending money on a new computer take care about these
important things you will need:
a)at least 3 free PCI slots on your motherboard (or more - see into your
current setup) -first for SCSI PCI card, second for multiport card adapter
and third for additional serial and/or LPT ports.
b)matherboard should have a "native" LPT1 port, where licence dongle is
connected. This is neccessary to run LCS!
c)Two or three harddisks or logical disks. It is usefull to use one quick
harddisk as a swap disk/temporary disk and LCS program installation disk.
(disk where temporary data are stored between acquistion and saving-we have
SCSI disk, however modern SATAII and III disks has sufficient data
bandwidth).
5) I had exchange all PCI cards, cables and LPT dongle onto new computer.
Some of them was automatically recognized and windows installed proper
drivers. I had download a driver for multiport (from here:
http://www.pccompci.com/driver/4p232-SMD.html). It is possible you will need
find your drivers yourself. SCSI drivers can be found here:
http://www.adaptec.com/en-us/support/scsi/u160/asc-29160/. I realized that
all needed hardware has support under win 7, so the swithc on new OS seems
possible to me.
6) Now it is time to try install LCS program. I get installation file of my
current version LCS 2.61.Build 1537 from my local Leica vendor. To avoid
troubles I recomend to use your current LCS version. There is a step during
installation when a new firmware may be upladed into the scanner (and the
version of firmware must fit with the version of LCS!). To ensure backstep
possibility I would avoid the scanner firmware overwriting!
I performed installation onto disk C:/Program Files (and it works), however
as I told before, you can choose the installation folder on the quick
swap/temporary disk.
During the process you will be asked on the name of "prefabrikated" IPS
profile folder. This looks something like:
SP2_4ChT_AOBS_MultiRGBB8_UV_405_AOTF. It is absolutely not important what
you choose, because you will overwrite default Leica IPS profiles with your
backuped IPS profiles. After the installation you are forced to restart
computer.
7) Before the first start of LCS you have to copy back your hardware
settings into the Program Files/LCS/Hardware Control folder and your
backuped personal settings files into Documents and Settings/LCS/ folder.
8)In the Control panel>system>hardware settings I had to actualize driver
for Leica TCS-x. I found it in the LCS program folder/tools. Now SP2 is
recognized as Imaging device. I also had to change naming of COM ports
according to where LCS seek serial devices like motorized stage etc.
9) At this moment it is possible to run LCS and start to work ;-)
I am not sure ofcourse, if this will works as nice on Win7, but I am
optimistic. There can be one issue with LPT port which is connected via USB
ports on modern motherboards and there could be a problem. I want to test
this later.
Best Regards
Ondrej.
------------------------------------------
Mgr. Ondřej Šebesta
Laboratory of Confocal and Fluorescence Microscopy
Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague
Vinicna 7
128 44 Prague
Czech Republic
Phone: +420 2 2195 1943
e-mail:
[hidden email]"