Support
Tips & Tricks

Go to the settings file: C:\Program Files\xGEL Data Systems\xGEL LabMate\xGel Data Files\User Preferences\MsgBoxConfig.txt and edit it in a text editor to Show (0), or Hide (1) the various messages.

Here is what the file looks like when you call it up in a text editor:

• "modMain - Auto BackUp Completed",0
• "modMain - Auto Delayed Archive Completed",0
• "Printing - Make sure you are using paper stock",0
• "Summary Printing - Unless you like paper and scissors",1
• "Test Printing - Please check printer for test assignment sheets",1
• "Test Printing - Please check printer for test cards",1
• "The project will not be exported to the thumb drive",1
• "Show job stats when printing summary",0

The first field is the message type and is just a reminder to you. It is not read by the code. The second field is the display setting. Change it according to what you want to do.

• 0=Show
• 1 = Hide

DO NOT change the line order of the items as the code associates a line number with the message it goes with. The line 3 setting corresponds to the "Printing - Make sure you are using paper stock" message toggle.

On the main xGEL screen, right above the "x" in xGEL and about 2inches up there is a hidden area that you click. This will exit the program.

Click on the heading of the grid column that you want to sort on. Click it again to sort it the other way.

Good Luck - Ain't Really Happening for a while at least. (Remember - 3 coders and a cat) OK. Here is the deal, because of the way computers sort stuff, boring B-10 will sort between B-1 and B-2. When we first coded xGEL LabMate, we had it so that you could ONLY designate borings as numbers - like 1, 2 ,3, 4, 10, etc. and with number fields everything sorted just fine. Then users cried because they do not number their borings that way, they "number' them and embed other information in the "number" (VERY BAD for database design - and B-1 is NOT a number). For example, they wanted to be able to designate them as B-1, B-2, B-3A, B-98-98GY-76, and a host of other ways and so we changed it up.

Work Around ....Live with it .. or...restructure your numbering so that it is like this:

• B-01
• B-02
• B-10
• B-11

In this case things will sort fine.

Take heart. The faster we get traction (the more you get your friends sold on the xGEL LabMate), the faster we will be able to code ($$$) in another module to allow either way.

~ Ninja

#1. We only support Ohaus Scales - for right now.

#2. Check to see that you have xGEL scale setting matches the one that you are using. After logging in to the LabMate, at the lower right corner of the display there is a green button "Scale/Tare & UDW Dim Settings".

Right above this button is the current scale that the xGEL LabMate is set up for. If this is not the correct scale then, click that green button and then on the next screen click the button "Change Scale" to get to the screen that allows you to select a different scale.

#3. If you are using an Ohaus scale in conjunction with an RS 232 Serial cable, then it must be hooked to your computer's Serial Port #1.

Look at the back of your computer . There is probably only one serial port, however, some computers, especially the touch computers like used in restraunts and some of the xGEL users, have more. If you have more, then look in your computer manual or perhaps on a marking on the computer case and move the scale cable to a Com Port marked COM 1. This will generally do the trick.

Turn your scale off and then back on and see if the scale shows up. If not. Reboot - the almost last resort universal "fix".

#4. If all this does not work then you may need to Reassign your Ports so that whatever Port the scale is hooked up to is called COM1 by Windows.

To check/change your Port Settings in Windows XP (xGEL's supported Platform) do this...

• Go to Start|Control Panel|Administrative Tools|Computer Management|Device Manager|Ports(Com&LPT)
• Expand the Manager|Ports(Com&LPT) section
• Find the port that has the Ohaus Scale on it
• Right click it and then choose Properties.
• On the Properties Dialog - Go to the Port Settings Tab
• On the Port Settings tab, down at the bottom area choose "Advanced". In the lower left is a dropdown where you can change the Com Port number assignment. Click the dropdown and it will show a list of available ports.
• Change it to COM 1.
• Choose OK, and the scale should now be on COM 1.

• Note #1: If you already have a COM1 but it is greyed out or otherwise in use, you will need to first change it's Port Number to some other number so that you will have a COM 1 value that you can assign to the scale. Be sure that you do not have something else that needs the existing COM 1.
• Note #2: If you are using a USB Cable on the ScoutPro then the USB port that it is hooked into needs to be designated as Port #7. Go thru the same process except with the USB Ports.

If you need more assistance, please talk first to your company computer dude. These guys are pretty savvy and can generally take care of things for you in a snap - especially since they know your system and are right there and able to look at it in real time. If you still have a problem then rustle the cat food bag (send an email to support@xgeldatasystems.com ) and I will try and help.

~ Ninja

Ah, yes ... the fisky mouse cursor. Because of the way the scale communicates it sometimes fakes out the computer and masquerades as a pointing device. This confuses the computer and it thinks that the scale is a mouse. The way to fix this is to Always Boot up the Computer with the Scale Turned Off. After boot-up then turn the scale ON.

If everything was working just fine and then things start going crazy (like after a hibernation period with the screen saver) then:

• Get out of LabMate,
• Turn the scale OFF,
• Then turn in back ON.

If this doesn't work then:

• Turn the scale OFF
• Reboot the computer
• Then, after you call up xGEL LabMate, turn the scale ON.