1. Adobe Acrobat, PDF
The Adobe Reader program for viewing PDF files is installed as acroread. On Solaris sparc this is version 5. Version 7 is also available on Solaris sparc as acroread7. This newer version uses more memory and a system with at least 256MB is recommended while 128MB is "required". On Linux systems acroread is version 7. On Solaris x86 it is version 4, the latest Adobe has made available.
The gv command can also view pdf files and on Solaris x86 systems xpdf is also installed.
/usr/local/gnu/bin/ps2pdf can be used to convert a PostScript file to PDF. There is also pdf2ps which you can try instead of acroread.
Usage: % ps2pdf filename.ps filename.pdf
To print from acroread make sure:
- 1) the printer command is /usr/local/ucb/lpr.
- 2) the Level 1 button is selected if printing to a Level 1 printer.
To make this permanent just add the following lines to your .Xresources file:
*acroread.lprCommand: /usr/local/ucb/lpr
*acroread.lprStyle: BSD
2. Matlab has license manager problems
Sometimes on startup Matlab will have a license manager problem and will say:
>>>>> MATLAB did not start due to a license manager problem. <<<<<
We, ECE/CIS, do not maintain the license manager. You should check on Copland/Strauss if MATLAB starts up there or not. When it fails there, you can report it to consult@udel.edu, otherwise report it to us using the Help System.
If you're running MATLAB on your own machine and have problems, download the license.dat file from the central systems, before reporting a problem.
3. Finding machines to run programs on
Finding what machines to use can be done with the sysinfo program.
As mentioned before stimpy is the primary CPU server for research and has the most supported software. mlb is the primary CPU server for academic use.
If you want to find a Solaris machine to use instead use sysinfo like this:
sysinfo -nos "SunOS 5"
You may also want to look into the -f option to sysinfo. Be sure to get proper permission from the primary user, for personal machines, before running CPU intensive jobs.
4. 6x13 Font Error on xfig (Solaris 10 x86)
Xfig behaves like it can't find the fonts. It accepts the instruction to use Courier font, but then it substitutes 6x13 for it when it displays the text. This is a reported bug in Solaris 10 x86.
A temporary fix is to run xfig with the -noscalablefonts option.
5. Upgrading to Windows Vista from XP
Before installation, you might want to check the hefty system requirements for Vista.
Upgrading to Vista will take a long time. Roughly 1 hour prep and 1-3 hours just for the install (depending on processor).
Before upgrading to Windows Vista you should perform a few key preparatory steps so that the installation can occur cleanly.
5.1 Backup
- Either create a full system image or backup important documents on another hard drive/partition or removable media
5.2 Purge System
- Run Disk Cleanup and remove any temporary internet files and installation files
- Uninstall any programs that you have not used for more than a year
- Remove/archive downloaded files
5.3 Uninstall Virus Protection - very important
- Uninstall your virus protection program (usually McAfee)
- Uninstall third-party firewall program
- Uninstall anti-spyware programs
5.4 Defrag
Preparation for upgrade is done.
5.5 Installation
- Place the Upgrade CD (1st of 4) into drive.
- Click on "Install Now"
- Go ahead and "Go online to get the latest updates for installation".
- Click on "Upgrade" in order to keep all the files, settings and programs that are currently installed.
- A compatibility report might come up listing all the programs that might have problems with Vista. Make a note of these so you can install the vista-compatible versions of these programs after installation.
- Files will then be copied to the hard-drive from the 4 CDs
- The installation will then continue. A few reboots will occur.
- After reboot, Vista will ask you how it wants to handle updates. "Use recommended settings" is the best option, unless you want to take care of your own updates.
- The current time zone and time/date will then be asked.
- Finally, Vista will ask where you are using the computer. Select 'Work'.
- The computer will then reboot.
5.6 Download latest version of McAfee and install.
5.7 Activation
- In order to allow Vista to work after 30 days, activation must occur.
- This can be done under Control Panel > System and Maintenance > System > Windows Activation
- Go ahead and try clicking activate. If it works skip the next step.
- If this does not work click on 'Change Product Key' and enter the Vista Key. Then Activate.
5.8 Install any software which the compatibility report has said that might not work with Vista.
5.9 Software that has been EE/CIS Labstaff tested:
- Matlab
- Acrobat Reader 8.0
- Cygwin
- Thunderbird
- Firefox
- SSH
- Microsoft Office
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