LAPK: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where to get help
   1. What is the status of this FAQ?
   2. How should I contact you?
   3. Can I have more information?
   
   
2. USC*PACK printer problems
   1. Can I use a printer on our network?
   2. Which printer models do you support?
   
   
3. USC*PACK autoexec.bat & config.sys settings
   1. How do I get more free memory?
   2. What is required in config.sys?
   3. What is required in autoexec.bat?
   4. Can I have a config.sys & autoexec.bat that works?
   
   
4. Web Computing
   1. What is this Web Computing stuff?
   2. How can I use it?
   
   
5. Workshops
   1. When is your next workshop?
   2. Why can I not pay using my credit card?
   
   
6. USC*PACK with WindowsNT & Windows2000
   1. Are the server editions of Windows supported?
   2. How do I set the USCPACK variables?

Where to get help

What is the status of this FAQ?

This FAQ is being maintained on a regular basis. We add repeating questions as well as interesting issues.

How should I contact you?

The fastest and best way to contact us is using email. Please use the address given in the "About us" section.

Can I have more information?

We will do our best to give you what you need to use our software. Please let us know what you would like more information about.

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USC*PACK printer problems

Can I use a printer on our network?

Yes you can, if you are running Windows9x/NT/2000, and if the printer is working under that operating system. All you have to do is to start a dos session and enter "net use lpt1 \\server\printer". Where "server" is the name of printer server, and "printer" is the name of the printer.

Which printer models do you support?

We currently support XXX and YYY. Most printers should be able to recognize one of these. There also exists a program that will enable you to use almost any printer from a dos session; DOSPRINT. More information about that program can be found at http://www.dosprint.com/.

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USC*PACK autoexec.bat & config.sys settings

How do I get more free memory?

When running USC*PACK in DOS, or a DOS command shell in a Windows9x environment, the amount of available memory is determined by your config.sys and autoexec.bat files. To get more memory, comment out lines by adding REM in front of the lines, starting memory resident programs. Note: DO NOT start playing with these two files if you don't know what you are doing!

What is required in config.sys?

USC*PACK requires that you have ansi.sys loaded, it also needs roughly 610MBytes of free memory. This is controlled by config.sys, see the sample config.sys below.

What is required in autoexec.bat?

The autoexec.bat file must contain lines similar to the three below:

    SET USCPACK=C:\USCPACK
    SET INTINIT=C:\USCPACK\INTERACT.INI
    LOADHIGH C:\DOS\GRAPHICS.COM
    

If you installed USC*PACK in another directory (not C:\uscpack), simply replace C:\uscpack with your installation directory (note that the installation directory name must contain 8 or less characters)

Can I have a config.sys & autoexec.bat that works?

We have found that the following settings in autoexec.bat and config.sys usually works with a default installation of Windows9x (remember to replace C:\USCPACK with the directory where you installed USC*PACK).

   AUTOEXEC.BAT:

   LOADHIGH C:\DOS\GRAPHICS.COM
   SET USCPACK=C:\USCPAC33
   SET INTINIT=C:\USCPAC33\INTERACT.INI

   CONFIG.SYS:

   dos=high,umb
   buffers=40
   device=c:\windows\himem.sys /testmem:off
   devicehigh=c:\windows\emm386.exe noems
   devicehigh=c:\windows\command\ansi.sys
   


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Web Computing

What is this Web Computing stuff?

Several of the programs we develop run on large compute resources. We now provide a web interface to these programs. The computations are performed on a Linux cluster.

How can I use it?

Please see the separate FAQ for the Web Computing Resource.

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Workshops

When is your next workshop?

Information about workshops are given on the "Announcements" section of our homepage. It is of course possible to request a workshop, contact us for more information regarding this.

Why can I not pay using my credit card?

We are working on providing this option to you.

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USC*PACK with WindowsNT & Windows2000

Are the server editions of Windows supported?

Yes, all WindowsNT and Windows2000 versions are supported

How do I set the USCPACK variables?

Right-click on the "My Computer" icon, select "Properties", the "Advanced" tab, and the "Environment Variables". You can now add variables for the user you are logged in as, or for the entire system. Select one of the "New"s and enter the variable (USCPACK and INTINIT) in the top field, and the location in the lower field.

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