Running ABS Under Windows 2000

Complete all of the steps shown in the Software Installation section before creating a Windows 2000 shortcut.

To set up ABS over a Windows 2000 network, refer to Setting Up ABS over a Windows 2000 Network before creating a Windows shortcut.

Creating a Shortcut for Windows ABS

After installing ABS, creating a desktop shortcut in Windows 2000 is accomplished as follows (the examples below relate to running the Windows version of ABS. Examples relating to the DOS version are shown in Running ABS Under Windows 95/98):

1. Activate Windows Explorer.
2. Locate the drive and folder where the ABS executable programs have been installed (usually [drive:]\TASK) and double-click it to view the contents.
3. Locate the program “WABS.EXE” and highlight it.
4. Click the right mouse button and select “COPY” from the menu options.
5. Close or minimize Windows Explorer and return to the Windows desktop.
6. In an open area on the desktop, click the right mouse button and select “PASTE SHORTCUT” from the menu options.

You should now have an ABS icon with the description “SHORTCUT TO WABS.EXE”:

7. Highlight this icon, click the right mouse button and select “Rename” from the menu options. Enter “Alloy Blending System” (or ABS). Click anywhere on the desktop when finished to save the new name.

8. With the icon still highlighted, click the right mouse button and select “Properties” from the menu options. The “Shortcut” tab should be similar to the example shown below:

9. IMPORTANT: The “Start In” folder must be changed to reflect the user’s unique ABS working folder (i.e., \ABS\USER3 or wherever you’re going to run ABS from - this must be an area other than \TASK and must be unique for each ABS user). You may also want to set the “Run” field to “Maximized”.

10. Next, click the “Change Icon” button and the following message will appear:

Click “OK” and the “Change Icon” dialog will appear. In the “File name” field, enter [drive]:\TASK\ABS.ICO and press <Enter>. The ABS icon will appear in the “Current icon” field, as shown below:

Click “OK” to select the icon and return to the “SHORTCUT” properties. The final shortcut should look similar to the following example:

Click “OK” to save the properties and return to the desktop.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Multiple shortcuts can be created to automatically launch specific ABS programs and/or functions. However, each shortcut must have a different working folder specified. You cannot run more than one (1) ABS program at a time in the same working folder without encountering problems. Download or WABSFILES.PDF (Windows Version) for a complete list all ABS programs to determine which program relates to which function. For assistance, contact Keystone Systems.

Proceed to User Configuration for instructions on completing the setup for ABS. You must create an ABS.INI file before you can run ABS.