PathCom Systems Confidential, NDA.

Software Installation & Configuration for a New Computer

For Customer Technical Support Guideline rev.B

This document provides a guideline for trained technical support personnel to install and configure the
PCStainer software with its required drivers and supplemental applications to a new computer.

1. PCStainer Software Installation

 System Requirements
 English-based 64-bit Microsoft Windows 7 with the following or better configurations:
 2.5GHz CPU
 4GB RAM
 1366x768 Screen Resolution

 Setting Up a New Computer

 Disable Windows power management, screen saver/display settings, auto update, auto time
synchronization, auto disc-scan, wireless internet connection, etc. features
Any of the above applications may interrupt the staining process if run during the staining
operation period.
 Set the computer name to the instrument serial number, ie: PC12017, or PC13055 etc.
 Set the computer admin user name to: PathCom
 Set computer admin user password to: 6747l (lower case letter “L”)
 Copy the new PC files folder to the Local Disk C:\; this folder contains all drivers and
programs for setting up a new computer for the PathCom Slide Stainer.

 Copying the PCStainer Software to a New Computer

 Copy the original C:\PathCom folder to the Local Disk C:\ on the new computer.
 Install the latest version of the PCStainer Software.
 Open the latest Installer Package.
 Click “UninstallPathCom.vbs” and follow the installation instructions.
 Click “InstallPathCom.vbs” and follow the installation instructions.
 Note: To install the PCStainer Software, see Software and Firmware Upgrade Guideline.

2. Additional Windows Applications and Drivers

 Installing Fonts
 Open C:\new PC files\Fonts\...
 Open and install WINGDNG2.TTF
 Open and install WINGDNG3.TTF
 Run andale32.exe and follow installation instructions.
 Restart the computer to complete installation.

 Installing the FTDI Driver

 Open C:\new PC files\FTDI Driver\...
 Run and follow installation instructions.

 Installing the Visual Basic Power Pack

 Open C:\new PC files\FW\...
 Run and follow installation instructions.
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 Installing the Windows .NET Package

 Open C:\new PC files\...
 Run and follow installation instructions
 Restart the computer to complete installation

 Installing the QED Actuator Update Utility

 Open C:\new PC Files\FW\Actuator_Update_Utility...\publish\…
 Run setup.exe and follow the installation instructions.
 Select the COM Port# (usually the first available COM#) when prompted.

 Install Communication Board Update Utility

 Open C:\new PC Files\FW\Comm_Board_update…\publish\…
 Run setup.exe and follow the installation instructions.
 Select the COM Port# when prompted.

 (Optional) Installing NotePad++ to read logs and data files

 Open C:\new PC files\NotePad++\...

 (Optional) Installing Skype for technical support

 Open C:/new PC files/…
 Run and follow installation instructions.
 An internet connection is required to download required program files.
 Setup a Skype account and invite [email protected]
 Verify the audio settings after logging in.
 From the menu, open Call>Audio Settings…
 Select and test the Microphone
 Select and test the Speakers
 Call the Echo/Sound Test Service
 Verify the video conference feature.

3. PCStainer COM Port Assignment

 Connect the instrument to the designated USB port on the computer, and power the instrument on.
Please maintain a dedicated USB port for the instrument, as connecting to a new port
may cause the COM Port assignment to change.

 Check the COM Port assignment (COM & LPT)

 Open Start Menu>Devices and Printers
 The computer will automatically detect four devices on the instrument.
 Right-click and open the Device Manager and scroll to Ports(COM & LPT)

 The first 3 COM Ports detected are assigned to the Robot and Pump, Slide Modules, and the
RFID reader.

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 The 2D Barcode Reader appears under Other devices, and will be assigned to the 4th COM
Port after driver installation(see below).

 Installing the 2D Barcode Reader

 Open the Device Manager and expand Other devices.

 Right-click on USB-Serial Converter and select Update Driver Software

 Select “Browse my computer for driver software…”
 Select “Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer…”
 Select “Universal Serial Bus Controllers” then click “Next”
 Click “Have Disk...”
 Browse to C:\new PC files\KeyenceConverterCable\FTDI_Keyence_Drivers\…
 Select ftdibus.inf and follow the installation instructions.
 Return to the Device Manager and expand Other devices.
 Right-click on “USB-Serial Port” and select “Update Driver Software”
 Select “Browse my computer for driver software…”
 Select “Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer…”
 Select “Ports (COM & LPT)” then click “Next”
 Click “Have Disk...”
 Browse to C:\new PC files\Keyence ConverterCable\FTDI_Keyence_Drivers\...
 Select ftdiport.inf and follow the installation instructions.
 Return to the Device Manager, and verify that all 4 ports are installed.

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 Changing the Port Assignment

PCStainer COM Ports must be assigned to a single digit number from 3 to 9.
 The user may reassign any double-digit COM port number to a single digit number:

 Open the Device Manager and expand Ports

 Right-click on the USB Serial Port (i.e.COM16) and select Properties
 Click Port Settings>Advanced…
 Select a new port number under the COM Port Number drop-down list
 Click OK to exit. The computer may need to be restarted before the changes can take
effect.
 Note: It is recommended to assign ports to COM3, 4, 5 and 6.

4. Setting the RFID Reader COM Port#

 Verify that the instrument is powered on and connected to the computer.
 To launch the AutoStainer Server UI, open C:/PathCom/PathComAutoStainer
 Run PathComAutostainer.exe

 Click “OK” to close any pop-up messages, then click the icon on the Windows
task bar to display the Server UI
 Select the RFID tab

 Change the Com Port Number to one of the port numbers found in the Device
Manager (ie: 3, 4, 5 or 6)
 Click the check box Port Connected to connect to the RFID reader.
Note: If the connection is not successful, an error message will be displayed such
as “Reader not found or not ready”
 Continue trying new port numbers until the RFID reader is successfully
connected.

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 Test the RFID Reader function

 Click the check box Reader Power On
 Place an RFID tag underneath the antenna and click Read RFID
 A 16-digit ID ie: “E0237492063E065D” will be read and displayed to the right.
 Note: The checkbox ISO15693 should also be checked to enable RFID writing.
 Open and edit C:\PathCom\PathComASGui\Data\TagSysRfidData.XML with Notepad++
 This file configures the COM Port for the RFID TagEditor.
 Set the port number to be the same number as determined above ie:
<ComPortNum>3</ComPortNum>
 Save the file.

5. Setting the 2D Barcode Reader COM Port#

 Verify that the instrument is powered on and connected to the computer.

 Launch and display the AutoStainer Server UI

 Select the Barcode tab:
 Click Com Setup and change the port number to one of COM Port Numbers (3,4,5,6)
found in the Device Manager above: i.e. COM6 and click “OK.
 Click the checkbox Use Port Name to connect to the barcode reader.
 Continue trying new port numbers until the Barcode reader is successfully
connected.

 Test the Barcode Reader function.

 If the barcode reader is successfully connected, the functions to the left will be
enabled, and the Last Status will change from “Unknown” to “Present”.
 Check and uncheck Laser Pointer On to verify the position of the two laser
pointers underneath the 2D Barcode reader.

6. Setting the Device SNR of the Robot (XYZZ System and Pumps)
 Verify that the instrument is powered on and connected to the computer.

 Launch and display the AutoStainer Server UI

 Select the Robot tab:

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 Click Show Terminal and click the icon on the Windows task bar to
display the Robot Terminal.
 Click Settings to display the CommBase Settings
 Select and copy a Device SNR from the drop down list under Device SNR.

 Open and edit C:\PathCom\PathComAutoStainer\Data\RSPSettings.xml with

Notepad++

 Paste the Device SNR into the file ie: <port> A4015NKG </port>
 Close the Autostainer Server UI and save the file.
 Re-launch the server and select the “Robot” tab.
 Click Connect to connect to the robot
Note: If the connection is not successful, an error message will be
displayed such as “Port Unavailable”.
 Test the Robot connection.
 Click Initialize. The XYZZ robot and pumps should home and initialize.

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 Repeat with a different Device SNR until the robot is successfully connected and
initialized.

7. Setting the Device SNR of the Slide Module Processor

 Verify that the instrument is powered on and connected to the computer. Make sure there is at
least one module installed on the instrument.

 Launch and display the AutoStainer Server UI

 Select the Slides tab:

 Open and edit C:\PathCom\PathComAutoStainer\Data\SlideProcTermSettings.xml

with Notepad++
 Paste a different Device SNR into the file ie: <port> A4015NKI </port>
 Close the Autostainer Server UI and save the file.
 Re-launch the server and select the “Slides” tab.
 Click Connect to connect to the slide module processor.
Note: If the connection is not successful, an error message will be displayed such
as “Port Unavailable”.
 Test the Slides connection.
 Select the checkbox Broadcast or input a specific Device Address (1st row: 1-
12; 2nd row: 13-24; 3rd row: 25-36).
 Select “Home” from Move To Fixed Position, and click “Go”. The selected
slides will go to the Home position.
 Select “Down”, and click “Go”. The selected slides will go to the Down position.

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 Repeat with a different Device SNR until the slide module processor is successfully
connected.

8. Installing the Zebra Label Printer (currently compatible with models Zebra TLP3844-Z, GX430t)
 Setting Up the Zebra Printer
 Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the label roll and media ribbon if
necessary.

 Installing the Zebra Setup Utilities and Printer Driver

 Connect the printer to the designated USB port on the computer. Keep it powered off for
now.
Please maintain a dedicated USB port for the label printer.
 For model TLP3844, open C:\new PC files\Zebra TPL3844-Z Driver\
Zebra_ZPLII_Utility\ …
 Run the setup application ZSU_114838.exe and follow the installation
instructions.
 For model GXT430t at C:\new PC files\Zebra GXT430t\Software\Zebra Setup
Utilities\...
 Run the setup application Setup.exe and follow the installation instructions.
 Power the printer on when prompted. The driver will automatically install.
 Note: The user may click Manual Install if the printer is not installed
successfully.

 Configuring the Printer Settings

 Open C:/Program Files (x86)/Zebra Technologies/Zebra Setup Utilities/App

 Run PrnUtils.exe to launch the Zebra Setup Utilities application

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 Click Configure Printer Settings to launch the Printer Settings wizard

 Label Parameters 1.00 inch Width x 0.75 inch Height, Normal Orientation
 Speed and Darkness 2.0 inch/s, 15
 Media Tear Off, Feed to Next Label, Default settings
 Advanced settings Transfer, Web Sensing, 0.00 inch Tear off adjust, 0.00 inch
 Calibrating the Media
 Click Open Printer Tools and click Calibrate Media to perform automatic calibration.
 The printer’s built-in sensor will feed several labels, and adjust settings to
account for label size, type and gap.

 Printing a Test Label

 Launch the PCStainer UI and login as “Distributor”

 Go to System Utilities>Settings>2D Barcode Format
 Select the printer from the dropdown list under Printer:
 Adjust the Margins and Darkness if necessary

 Top Margin: 45
 Width (dots): 252
 Left Margin: 12
 Dark Level: 15
 Go to Prepare Labels and print a test label.

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