Running ABS Under Windows XP

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

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

Creating a Shortcut for Windows ABS

After installing ABS, creating a desktop shortcut in Windows XP is accomplished as follows:

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 "Create Shortcut" from the menu options. A new file will be created called "Shortcut to wabs".
5. Highlight "Shortcut to wabs", click the right mouse button and select "Cut" from the menu options.
6. Close or minimize Windows Explorer and return to the Windows desktop.
7. In an open area on the desktop, click the right mouse button and select "Paste" from the menu options. You should now have an icon with the description "Shortcut to wabs":

8. 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.
9. 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: 

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 click "OK". The ABS icon will appear in the "Current icon" field. 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. Remember to edit the PATH statement (as previously described in Windows XP Network Installation).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Multiple shortcuts can be created to bypass the ABS main menu and automatically launch specific 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 WABSFILES.PDF 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 for each user before they can use ABS.