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| - | JMRI Install Guide: Windows
| + | BtDR2s Really enjoyed this article.Thanks Again. |
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| - | This information is being moved from it's original location at [http://jmri.sourceforge.net/install/Windows.html]. This might take some time.
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| - | '''1. Determine if your hardware supports Java and JMRI'''
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| - | We have had a report that a 100MHz Pentium is too slow to use, and another that a 120MHz Pentium II is fine, so somewhere around there is the minimum machine configuration, but it's important to have enough memory. We recommend you have at least 96MB of memory for Windows 98, and 128MB of memory for Windows 2000 or later. Having 128MB or 256MB respectively would give better performance. For the more complicated programmer screens, a display with a resolution of 800x600 or larger is strongly recommended. Note that used PC hardware is available for very little money; it might be cheaper to buy a used computer than to update your existing one.
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| - | '''2. Get and Install Java (if needed)'''
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| - | Start by making sure you have an appropriate version of Java on your system by typing
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| - | java -version
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| - | You need to have Java 1.4 or later installed on your machine. We test with JRE 1.5 and recommend you use it or a later version.
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| - | If you don't yet have Java installed, you can also get installers from Sun by going to this link:
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| - | [http://java.com/java/download/index.jsp]
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| - | You must run the Java installer (or have previously done so) before running the JMRI installer in the next step, or it will issue an error message and stop.
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| - | Sun offers both an "online" and an "offline" installer for the Java Runtime Engine (JRE). The online installer is about 1.5MB, but needs an Internet connection to complete the install. The offine installer is about 20MB, but includes everything.
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| - | As the size of software you can download from the Internet has increased, distributors have looked for ways to decrease the time it takes to do this. Since a software package may include features a user doesn't need or want, one way to decrease the time is to make the installation "live". You initially download a small program, which is an Internet installer. When you run the program you are asked what components of the package you want to install. Only those components are downloaded and installed.
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| - | Here's what Sun has to say about this:
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| - | Windows Installation
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| - | Saves download time if installing only some of the features. This install first downloads and runs a small program that prompts the user for options to download and install. The user must be connected to the Internet in order to complete this installation. Includes support for additional languages, fonts and media. This choice downloads and installs Microsoft Windows Installer 2.0 if not already installed. If you are behind an authenticated proxy server, you must use the Windows Offline Installer instead. Before making this choice, turn off any download managers, other than the Sun Download Manager, if you are using it.
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| - | Windows Offline Installation
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| - | This downloaded file includes everything required to perform a complete installation. It can be copied to a machine that is disconnected from the network and executed to perform a complete or custom install. Includes Microsoft Windows Installer 2.0 and support for additional languages, fonts and media. Use this installer if the normal Windows Installer does not work.
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| - | If the "java" command doesn't work after you've installed Java, there might be a problem with the Windows "path" variable. This is particularly common on 64-bit Windows systems. For more information, go to [http://jmri.sourceforge.net/install/Win64.shtml].
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| - | '''3. Get JMRI'''
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| - | Download a version of JMRI at [http://jmri.sourceforge.net/download/index.html#prod-rel], either the latest production version, or a "test version". Since the version numbers change with every release, this link takes you to the general JMRI download page, where you can select whichever version you like.
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| - | The JMRI project is continuously adding features, bug fixes, examples and tutorials to the release, and so a new "test" versions appear every couple of weeks. You may find one of these has features that you really want. These are announced in the "jmriusers" Yahoo discussion group at [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jmriusers/].
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| - | '''4. Run the JMRI installer'''
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| - | It will ask you to read some licensing information, and then install the needed libraries, plus add a "JMRI" program group to your Start menu and put a shortcut to the DecoderPro program on your desktop.
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| - | '''5. Installation is complete.'''
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| - | You can start the programs from the JMRI group under Programs in your Start menu.
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| - | '''6. Configure the program to connect to your layout'''
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| - | The JMRI hardware page lists the various types of layout equipment that JMRI can connect to, and gives links to instruction pages. Go there next to complete your setup.
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| - | ----
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| - | Notes:
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| - | Large Windows
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| - | Depending on what it wants to display, JMRI can open up very large windows. Generally, JMRI uses the size of the screen and information about fixed things like the start bar to decide the maximum size for an opening window so that e.g. the corners can't be reached to resize the window.
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| - | [[http://jmri.sourceforge.net/install/images/TaskbarOptions.png]]
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| - | Depending your Windows display operation, large JMRI windows will either resize to stay on the large part of the screen, clear of start bars and menu bars, or will be displayed at the full size of the screen, appearing under the start bar and menu bars.
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| - | This is controlled by the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties control panel. JMRI windows can open to the full screen size if the 'Keep the taskbar on top of other windows' option is de-selected. Also, they can open to the full screen size if the 'Auto hide the taskbar' option is selected.
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| - | Windows Themes and Skins
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| - | If you're using a "skinning" utility which changes the appearance of programs running on your computer, you should tell it to ignore the "java.exe" program. That's how JMRI and DecoderPro will appear to it, and they weren't written with such "skins" in mind.
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