Getting Started
| Can I run the Meccanisms Suite on a MAC? |
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| We don't profess to know much about MACs, but one of our users is successfully using a MAC. Here is what he says: "......also works on my "beige" G3 Macintosh running VPC5 (Connectix Virtual PC Version 5) using both Windows 98 (SE) and Windows 2000 Pro virtual system images. I use the serial adapter that came with my Palm Organiser serial cradle to link up the Motorvator with the Macintosh serial port. Since Motorvator uses a proprietary compiler which works on the PC only, it is both compiler and platform specific, so successful operation on the "Classic" Mac under VPC5 is useful, if a bit cumbersome. I do not know if similar success would be achieved on an OSX Mac running the later (Microsoft) version of the emulator. Presumably it would have to do so via the USB port and a USB/RS232 converter |
| Problems Installing Software on Windows 2000 |
| If you have Windows 2000, then you may be finding problems in installing the MeccCompiler2 software. When you run setup.exe you get an error along the lines of Setup cannot continue because some system files are out of date on your system. Click OK if you would like setup to update these files for you now. You will need to restart Windows before you can run setup again. Click cancel to exit setup without updating system files. After Windows restarts and you begin the installation again, the error message appears again. Let me try and explain what the problem is: 1. There are 7 files required to support the VB6 environment under which MeccCompilerII is written. These are VB6STKIT.DLL COMCAT.DLL asycfilt.dll olepro32.dll oleaut32.dll stdole2.tlb msvbvm60.dll If you have other software installed on your PC that uses the VB6 environment, then some or all of these may already be present on your machine (usually in the c:/WINNT/System32 directory). When Microsoft released Windows NT (and subsequently Win2000) they included a Security Model that controls updates to "Systems" files. Win2000 automatically blocks an attempt to update system files, if it thinks that you are doing something that might be wrong. So when you first run Setup.exe, if some or all of these files are present, you may get the error. 2. The only way around it is to not try to install existing files. We have provided a second Setup.lst on the CD, called W2000 Setup.Lst. In this setup file, we have removed ALL 7 of the setup files. So if you already have a VB6 based program somewhere on your PC, it is worth trying. A. Rename Setup.lst to Setup.old B. Rename W2000 Setup.lst to Setup.lst C. Run Setup.exe again You should either get (i) through to the setup wizard screen that asks you into which directory to install MeccCompilerII OR (ii) an error saying VB6STKIT.DLL not available. (i) is good.  carry on with the Install (ii) is Bad. 3. How to solve it. This assumes a certain knowledge of Windows, and how to find "system files" that may be hidden.  Have a look at the C:/Winnt/system32 directory and find out which of the 7 files are present. Then edit the Setup.lst file and remove these file names in the bootstrap files section, e.g. if you only find olepro32.dll then Change from
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| What Power Supply Do I need? |
| We are often asked to recommend a power supply. We have found that the best supply is a switch-mode regulated supply of 9V, with an amperage of around 1A. Most modern motors are very efficient and operate on less than 0.5A at full power. Examples: Dick Smith Electronics (NZ and Australia) (www.dse.co.nz, www.dse.com.au) #M9917 Variable (3-12V) (We use this one extensively). #M9923 Fixed 9V In the UK, we would suggest something like the Uniross UNI1200RP from PartMaster (www.partmaster.co.uk), although we haven't tested this ourselves. These all come with a variety of adapter plugs, and one will suit the MotorVator. MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THE POLARITY CORRECT (CENTER NEGATIVE) WHEN FITTING THE ADAPTER |
| I can't talk to the MotorVator from the PC |
| There are three specific setup values that you can alter in View>Options A. The communications port to connect with the MotorVator. Either Tick one of COM1...COM4 or enter the name (e.g. COM5) in the OTHER box. (Note if you need this option - don't add a : to Com5). If you select a port which doesnt exist on your computer, then you will get the COM error. Once you have selected the correct port, connect the MotorVator via the cable, power the MotorVator, and select MotorVator>Open Comms Window This will open a Black window. The MotorVator should respond with Green text. If it doesn't, close the window and open again (Sometimes it needs two attempts). |