ABS Software Installation

This page and the links within it contain information and instructions for procedures and programs primarily used by Systems Administrators (i.e., installing and maintaining the ABS software). Refer to the ABS Reference Guide for details on running the Alloy Blending System (ABS) programs.

~ System Requirements ~

The following is required to run the Windows version of the Alloy Blending System (ABS) software:

  • Intel Pentium class PC
  • Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP or NT
  • Minimum of 32 MB of available RAM
  • Minimum of 50 MB of free hard disk space (this requirement varies according to the number of programs installed and the amount of data entered)
  • Internet access is recommended to take full advantage of remote support capabilities, such as Internet Services

~ Software Installation ~

The initial installation of the Alloy Blending System (ABS) software can be performed via two methods:

  1. Using the ABS Install program (ABSINS.EXE) - this method can only be used in a single-computer environment, or;
  2. Manually creating folders and copying the software from the ABS CD - this method must be used in a network environment. You must be familiar with Windows Explorer or DOS to install the ABS software manually.

Windows XP network clients should also review Setting up ABS over a Windows XP Network.

Windows 2000 network clients should also review Setting up ABS over a Windows 2000 Network.

Windows 95/98 network clients should also review Setting up ABS over a Windows 95/98 Network.

Novell network clients should also review Setting up ABS over a Novell Network.

Installing the ABS software manually is accomplished in the steps shown below.

1. Folders Required by ABS

Keystone Systems recommends establishing the following environment when ABS is initially installed over a network. Folders in red must be named as shown - those in blue are suggested names and may be substituted with your designation:

NOTE: All folders under \KEYSTONE must be named as shown, except for the users’ working folders. In addition, each user must have their own working folder. Working folders cannot be shared among users. In our example, the folder \KEYSTONE is “Shared” and mapped as drive “K”. This will be referred to as the “ABS mapped drive”.

Following is a description of the contents of each ABS folder:

\TASK - Contains all of the ABS executable programs and dynamic link libraries. This folder must be added to the path statement. The main menu drivers for both the DOS and Windows versions will be installed in this folder. The batch file “ABS.BAT” is the main menu driver for the DOS version, and the executable program “WABS.EXE” is the main menu driver for the Windows version.

\ABS\DATA - Contains all of the ABS data files except for the Grade/Alloy Adjustments, Material Adjustments, and Management Reporting System’s (MARS) log files.

\ABS\GLOG - Contains the Grade/Alloy Adjustments files.

\ABS\HELP - Contains the ABS help files and error messages. Also contains the program SLFR.EXE (DO NOT move this program to \TASK).

\ABS\MLOG - Contains the Material Adjustments files.

\ABS\LOGS - Contains the ABS Management Reporting System (MARS) history (log) files. This folder is only necessary for users of the MARS System.

\ABS\USER1 - “Working folder” for User #1 - will contain work files, temporary files, .INI files, etc. (this is where ABS.BAT or WABS.EXE should be executed from for User #1).

\ABS\USER2 - “Working folder” for User #2 - will contain work files, temporary files, .INI files, etc. (this is where ABS.BAT or WABS.EXE should be executed from for User #2).

2. Modify the AUTOEXEC.BAT File (Windows 95/98)

After the drive for the \TASK folder has been established and created, modify the AUTOEXEC.BAT file with any ASCII text editor (Windows Notepad, etc.) and add [drive:]\TASK to the PATH statement (the “ABS mapped drive” as described above in a network environment). If an AUTOEXEC.BAT file does not exist, one must be created on C:\ with a PATH statement added. Based on our recommended configuration, the PATH statement in a network environment would be entered as shown below:

PATH=%PATH%;K:\TASK

Reboot the computer after editing/creating the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

To set the path in Windows XP, edit the environment variables as described in Windows XP Network Installation.

To set the path in Windows 2000, edit the environment variables as described in Windows 2000 Network Installation.

3. Copy the ABS Software from the CD

The ABS software is normally distributed on a CD with the following folders:

Folder on CD

—————— Description ———————

Folder Where File(s) Must Be Placed

 \DATA

 Validation and data files required by ABS.  \ABS\DATA

 \HELP

 All help and error message files; will also contain SLFR.EXE, which must be kept in \ABS\HELP.  \ABS\HELP

 \TASK

 All ABS executable programs and dynamic link libraries.  \TASK

In addition, the root of the CD usually contains one or more information files, either in ASCII text or MS-Word for Windows format. As indicated by the above table, the files and programs must be copied to specific folders for ABS to properly function.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All files copied from the CD will have an attribute of “Read Only”. This attribute must be cleared from all data files in the \ABS\DATA folder. This is accomplished by running Windows Explorer, highlighting the file to change, clicking on the right mouse button, and selecting “Properties” from the menu. Under “Attributes”, uncheck the “Read Only” box and click on “OK” to save the change:

Repeat this procedure for all files previously specified.

4. Create the ABS.INI File

The last step in the installation/configuration process is to create the ABS.INI file for each user. Proceed to User Configuration for an example of the ABS main menu. The program used to create the ABS.INI files is normally accessed from the ABS main menu under “ABS Utilities”.

You must create an ABS.INI file for each user before they can run ABS.