Chapter 1 - Equipment Setup

This chapter describes the equipment required to run the software DECAY18 in conjunction with a JCI155v4 Charge Decay Test Unit and how to set it in operation.

Equipment requirements

The equipment required to collect new charge decay data

and to review data previously collected is as follows:

To review charge decay data previously collected

You require:

• IBM or compatible PC (processor 8088 to 80486 / Pentium^®)
  • minimum 512Kb Memory
  • MS-DOS 2.0 or later
  • minimum CGA graphics capability
  • minimum one floppy disc drive (recommended two floppy drives if no hard disc).
    • either 5¼" 360K or 1.2M
    • or 3½" 720K or 1.44M
• JCI155v4 software disc, size to suit your PC (3½" or 5¼").
• Previous data disc(s), size to suit your PC (3½" or 5¼").

To collect and review new charge decay data

You require:

• JCI155v4 charge decay test unit.
• IBM or compatible PC (processor 8088 to 80486 / Pentium^®)
  • minimum 512Kb Memory
  • MS-DOS^® 2.0 or later
  • minimum CGA graphics capability
  • minimum one floppy disc drive (recommended two floppy drives if no hard disc).
    • either 5¼" 360K or 1.2M
    • or 3½" 720K or 1.44M
  • one free RS232 serial port
• RS232 serial data cable (modem connection cable, or
  DCE/DTE cable - straight through connections with no crossovers), to suit the PC.
• JCI155v4 software disc, size to suit your PC (3½" or 5¼").
• Data storage disc(s), size to suit your PC (3½" or 5¼").

If the computer's only RS232 serial port is used for a mouse, the mouse must be disconnected. It is never required for this software. In case the 25-pin or 9-pin cable supplied is not suitable for your PC, 9 to 25 pin adaptors are readily available.

To install the program permanently on the computer

You will require a computer as described above, fitted with a fixed ("hard" and/or "internal") disc drive.

Setting up the equipment

If you have not used a PC before, you might require some help or advice on the correct way to set up a PC or insert discs. It is advisable to have the PC and the JCI155v4 switched off and to ensure that these (and any associated mains powered equipment) are plugged into adjacent mains sockets, or otherwise share a common earthing point before they are interconnected and the mains supplies switched on.

Installing the program permanently

As mentioned above, you will need a computer with a fixed disc; if you have no fixed disc, ignore this section. Choose a drive-letter i.e. a single character identifier for your hard disc, normally 'C', and a directory-name of one to eight letters.

Switch your computer on, wait for it to boot up, and when the system prompt is shown, insert your Decay18 distribution disc in drive A (or B if necessary, but then use B instead of A in the commands below). The installH command copies the program decay18b and its resources to the directory specified, and certain batch files to the root directory of your hard disc.

C:>A:

A:>installH <drive-letter> <directory-name>

A:>echo off

Reading source file(s)...

INSTALLH.BAT

ADDPARM.BAT

:

:

:

nn File(s) copied

C:>

Note:

• if you omit directory-name, then it will default to "D18"
• if you omit drive-letter you must omit the directory-name, and then the drive-name will default to "C" and the directory-name will default to "D18"

This program uses MS-DOS^® GRAPHICS.COM (or GRAPHICS.EXE) to allow direct printing of graphical information from the computer screen. It is likely that the file "C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT" contains a line like the following, where the second word if any corresponds to the printer in use:

GRAPHICS DESKJET

To check it, type the following at the prompt:

C:>TYPE AUTOEXEC.BAT | MORE

The contents of the file will be displayed, together with a prompt for more if it exceeds 24 lines. If it does not contain a graphics line, then a suitable command must be inserted at start of the batch file that is used to start the Decay18 program. Consult your MS-DOS^® Manual ("GRAPHICS command") and your printer manual to determine which printer parameter must be appended to the GRAPHICS command. Then type the following command:

C:>setprint <printer-parameter>

This will alter the batch file as required. If no printer-parameter is required or you cannot determine which one to use, use "G" for the printer-parameter to ensure that a graphics command without a parameter is added. This can be changed later if required.

Using the program from a floppy disc

If you have a fixed disc, install the software there and ignore this section. Otherwise insert the boot disc in drive A:, switch your computer on, wait for it to boot up, and when the system prompt is shown make a bootable copy of your Decay18 distribution disc, as follows:

1. Have a new unused disc ready.
2. Insert it in drive B: if available - otherwise you will be prompted to exchange discs as required.
3. Type the command:

   A:>FORMAT B: /S (N.B. use "B" regardless)

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a bootable disc.
5. Insert the boot disc in drive A:, your new program disc in drive B: if available (otherwise you will be prompted to exchange it as required).
6. Type the following command at the prompt:

   A:>COPY FORMAT.* B:

7. Swap discs if prompted until the prompt reappears.
8. Type the following command at the prompt:

   A:>COPY GRAPHICS.* B:

9. Swap discs if prompted until the prompt reappears.
10. Ensure your distribution disc is write protected.
11. Remove the original boot disc, and insert your distribution disc in drive A:, and type the command:

    A:>INSTALLF B

12. Follow any on screen instructions to swap discs.
13. Remove your distribution disc, and be sure to replace its protective sleeve.
14. Select the drive occupied by your new program disc: i.e. type "A:" or "B:" as required

This program uses MS-DOS^® GRAPHICS.COM (or GRAPHICS.EXE) to allow direct printing of graphical information from the computer screen. Consult your MS-DOS^® Manual ("GRAPHICS command") and your printer manual to determine which, if any, printer parameter must be appended to the GRAPHICS command. If a printer-parameter is needed (most IBM compatible printers don't need one) type the following command:

A:>setprint <printer-parameter>

This will alter the batch file as required. It can easily be changed.

Connecting the instrument to the computer

• Ensure both the instrument and the computer are connected to the electric mains if they require a mains supply, and are switched off.
• Locate the 25-pin female D-connector (or 8-pin miniature DIN socket) on the back panel of the Charge Decay Test Unit and plug the interconnection cable into it.
• Locate a serial port on the computer. It will normally be on the rear panel and be a 9-pin (or possibly, on old machines, a 25-pin) male D-connector. If the remaining D-connector on your interconnection cable fits, then plug it in. If it has the wrong number of pins, use 9/25-way D-adaptor of appropriate sex.

Next     Top