The following sections describe how to configure your computer with optimal settings.
These settings should be checked after you install the MTS software. Although the MTS software will run without changing these settings, they are recommended to help improve system performance when running tests. These computer settings will not conflict with other applications.
System Temp and RPCProProjects directories
The software opens and then temporarily saves file information to your system’s temporary directory. Later, when the file is actually saved, the file information is written to the RPCPROProjects directory.
If the system’s temporary directory and RPCProProjects directory are on different drives, the software will provide a performance improvement suggestion each time file information is saved.
Performance Suggestion
The software lets you know that having these directories on different drives can degrade the software’s performance because it takes extra time to copy the file information to another pc drive. The most likely reason for having the RPCProProjects directory on a different drive is to save space on your system drive. You can move your system’s temporary directory to the drive where your RPCProProjects folder is located, or vise versa.
4. Edit the value to target the new directory location. For example, change the value
From:
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temp To:
D:\TEMP
Where D:\ is the drive where the RPCProProjects folder is located.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for the TMP user variable.
To move the RPCProProjects directory To move the RPCProProjects directory:
1. Using Windows Explorer, move the RPCProProjects folder to the drive that contains your system temporary directory.
Note:
The Performance Improvement Suggestion window tells you where these directories are located.
2. Open the RPC Project Manager.
3. On theToolsmenu, selectOptions, and then theProject Managertab.
4. Update the directory path in theDefault project locationbox. For example, change it
From:
D:\RPCProProjects To:
C:\RPCProProjects
Where C:\ is the drive where the system’s temporary directory is located. You can also use theBrowsebutton to select the RPCProProjects directory.
Virus scanning on dedicated test systems
When using an MTS controller with an hydraulic test rig, it is important to maintain a robust, high-throughput network connection between the data source and the controller hardware. Anti-virus software decreases system performance and increases the potential for delays in data transfer between the data source and controller hardware. Some tests at MTS have shown that for hard disk read/write intensive applications such as virus scanning, there can be as much as a 60 percent loss in system performance.
MTS understands the necessity to protect computers from virus infection. While remaining virus-free is important, it is also necessary to balance this with the requirements of dedicated test systems.
MTS recommends that you follow these guidelines:
• Disable real-time scanning on the test system computers or exclude the folder used to store your projects.
• Never run virus scanning while a test is running.
• Schedule required virus scanning for times when the test system is not in use.
Data backups on dedicated test systems
When using an MTS controller with a hydraulic test rig, it is essential to maintain a robust, high-throughput network connection between the data source and the controller hardware. Data backup software decreases system performance and increases the potential for delays in data transfer between the data source and controller hardware.
While data backups are important, it is also necessary to balance this with the requirements of dedicated test systems.
MTS recommends that you follow these guidelines: • Never run backups while a test is running.
• Schedule backups for times when the test system is not in use.
Display Properties for Windows XP
1. Open the Display file in the Control Panel, click on theAppearancetab, and then click theEffects
button.
2. Ensure theShow window contents while draggingcheck box is cleared (not checked).
Hidden mouse pointer
Do not set the mouse control panel tohide the pointer while typing, otherwise theToolsmenu may not show an active pointer.
If the mouse pointer is hidden on theToolsmenu, ensure the mouse control panel is set as follows:
1. Click the WindowsStartbutton, point toSettings, and then clickControl Panel.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click
Allow.
Double-click to open the mouse control panel.
2. Look for a tab or section that pertains to the mouse pointer, such as aPointer OptionsorPointer Utilitytab. The exact name of this property varies with each mouse driver.
3. Ensure the option forhide the pointer while typingis not selected. The exact name of this property varies with each mouse driver.
Note:
MTS recommends setting power options to never turn off the monitor and hard disks, and never go into system standby. For example, the power options should be set as shown in the following window.
Windows XP Power Option Properties
Note:
Power options let you adjust any power management option that your computer's hardware configuration supports. Because these options may vary from computer to computer, the options described may differ from those available on your computer. Power options automatically detects what is available on your computer and shows you only the options that you can control.