2.4.

Installing and removing Aster software

To install and remove Aster software you should have administrator privileges.
Installing Aster software is easy. Insert the disc into the drive. The installation Wizard
will start automatically. If the wizard does not begin automatically, find the setup file on
the disk and double click it. Follow the prompts of the installation wizard.

To proceed the installation you must accept all the terms of a license agreement.
Please, carefully read the license agreement. If you accept all the terms, select I Agree
and click on Next (if you do not accept at least one of the terms of the license agreement,
you must cancel installation at this stage; you can return the CD with Aster software and
all accompanied package with unused serial number to the vendor).

If you want to install Aster into a folder different from the one selected on default,
specify the location.

After installation is finished, select Aster Control (Start\Programs\Aster Control) and

follow the prompts to run and configure Aster (see 2.5).
To remove the Aster software use the standard procedure provided by Microsoft
Windows. Open "Add and remove programs" utility in the Windows Control Panel,
select Multi-user extension Aster and press Remove. If Aster system is running, to
complete removing it is necessary to restart the PC.

2.5. Software activation, trial period

To start activation of Aster software you should have administrator privileges.
If you run Aster for the first time (Start /Start Aster), it is required to activate the
software. The software can first be activated without the serial number for the trial period
of 10 days (see the picture).

During the trial period you can assess the program and decide to buy the software or
enter the serial number. No restrictions are imposed on the software functions during the
trial period. Click on Try it out button and than OK to activate the program for the trial
period of 10 days. To activate the software by entering the serial number without the trial
period press Enter serial number.

After the trial period expires, the software will not start until you enter the serial
number. The relevant message window will appear on the screen (see the picture below).
Press Continue to start activation.

2.5.1. Software activation procedure

Software activation can be carried out automatically or you can manually convert the
individual serial number into an activation key related to the soft- and hardware
configuration of a computer. Therefore, the activation key can only be used at the
computer where it has been generated.
The software can be activated with one serial number 4 times only. Thus, it is possible
to reactivate the software at another computer in case the software and hardware
configuration changes significantly (reactivation at another computer, operating system
reinstallation, central processor or motherboard replacement). An extra method of
activation restoration is described in the note to this chapter.
Activate the software carefully to avoid wasting the limited number of
activations!
1. Enter the individual software serial number and press Activate (in case you have not
been given the serial number together with a copy of the program, use the contact
information that you can get by clicking on Buy to obtain the individual serial number);

2. Choose automatic or manual activation by clicking on relevant buttons. To

automatically activate the software you will need to establish connection with the
Internet. If Internet connection is limited or cannot be established, choose manual
activation.

If you have chosen automatic activation, protection system will connect to

the protection server on the Internet and obtain the activation key for this
computer. If operation has completed successfully, the message window will
appear on the screen and indicate the number of available activations (see the
picture below). Click on OK to complete automatic activation.

3. If you have chosen manual activation, the protection system will generate the
Hardware code for this computer (see the picture below). The individual serial number
and Hardware code are required to obtain an activation key.
Copy or carefully write down the hardware code and use it with the individual serial
number for activation key generation by means of the Internet-service
(https://proactive.star-force.com/2.0/activate.php) or telephone hot line if Aster supplier
provides such a service. You can use the internet service at any computer connected to the
Internet.
Click on Next to enter the activation key.

If the activation key cannot be obtained immediately, you can close the program by
clicking on Back, Back, Exit. In this case after you obtain the key, it is required to start

Aster once again (Start/Start Aster), follow the instructions in 1 and 2 of this chapter
(enter the individual serial number, click on Activate and select manual activation) and
click on Next in the window with a hardware code. Do not try to start Aster before
generation of the activation key because this can affect the information saved about
activation and you will have to generate the key once again and consequently use another
activation attempts (activation wasting).
4. To complete manual activation enter the activation key and click on Activate.

IMPORTANT NOTE. It is possible to restore the activation of the software in case the
operating system has been reinstalled or the system is restored in the state when Aster
was not installed. You must be an experienced user and have administrator privileges.
After successful software activation with an individual serial number (not during the trial
period), the activation key copy is saved in a key.reg file in the directory where the
software is installed (for example, C:\Program Files\Aster Control). It is recommended to
save this file in the directory protected from deletion. In case the system is reinstalled or
restored, add it to the System Registry (open and agree to add information to the System
Registry), then reboot the computer. This method of reactivation does not reduce the
activation attempts. To add the data to the System registry the user should have
administrator privileges.

3. Using Aster software

You can configure Aster double-terminal system by opening Start/Programs/ Aster
control (see the picture). You can place the icons and create shortcuts (for instance, Start
Aster) on the desktop to make operation easier. Different programs on the Aster Control
list cannot run simultaneously at the same terminal. Thus, if a program does not start,

make sure no other program on the list is running. Should a program be running, close it
or wait until an on-going operation is completed (for instance, the secondary terminal is
starting or terminal number is being browsed).

3.1. Activating, starting and deactivating Aster software

To activate and deactivate Aster software you need administrator privileges. Users
with limited privileges can start the system (launch the secondary terminal).
Starting Aster means the launching the secondary terminal. You can start Aster at any
moment under the condition that Aster is activated. Aster is a multi-user extension of
Microsoft Windows operating system kernel, so you need to restart the PC to activate
or deactivate the system. The system is deactivated on default after installation and Aster
software does not influence PC operation.
If Aster software is deactivated (it has just been installed or deactivated), it is possible
to enable it with Aster Control utility (Start\Programs\Aster Control). You will be
prompted to restart the PC immediately (press Activate and Restart) or later (press
Activate). The secondary terminal is able to be launched after the PC is restarted.

To start Aster and launch the secondary terminal click on Start Aster in the main menu
or Start\Programs\Aster Control. If you want the second terminal start automatically, use
Aster Autostart Control (see 3.3.3.). The second terminal can be launched if Aster
software is activated, a double-output video card or an extra video card for the secondary
terminal desktop is installed.
If you try to run the program Aster Control right after activating Aster but before the
system restart or after emergency restarting after the system failure, it is possible to
cancel Aster activation by pressing Cancel activation or continue activating with restart
by pressing Restart (see the picture below).

If necessary, it is possible to deactivate Aster software by clicking on Aster Control in

the menu Start\Programs\ Aster Control. To deactivate the system you will be prompted
to restart the PC immediately (press Deactivate and restart) or later (press Deactivate).
When deactivated, Aster software does not start and does not affect computer operation.
This mode is recommended when running system diagnostics or installing new devices.

3.1.1. Computer shutdown

If the PC is used simultaneously and independently by several users, it is required to
synchronize computer shutdown to avoid data loss at a terminal when the other terminal
shuts down. Aster system solves this problem by automatically synchronizing computer
shutdown at both terminals using the following algorithms:
after all applications are closed during the system shut down at one terminal, the
system shutdown window appears (see the picture below). The indicators in the
left bottom corner of the window show the status of the terminals (the master
terminal refers to the indicator on the left, the secondary terminal refers to the
indicator on the right). Red color indicates the system has been shut down,
flashing green indicates operation;

f
during the system shutdown at one of the terminals the forced system shutdown
window appears on the screen of the other terminal. Changes in the documents
must be saved in 15 seconds (see the picture below). You can postpone the system
shutdown for a minute by pressing postpone for a minute (you can postpone the
system shutdown as many times as you need, but the window will remain on the
screen and will make operation inconvenient);

when waiting time expires, the forced system shutdown is carried out. Changes in
opened documents will not be saved. You should have time to save the changes in
the documents and fulfill any other operations related to finishing the work before
waiting time expires. If necessary, postpone the system shutdown;

if by some reason the alert window does not appear (for example, terminal hungup), the button "Skip waiting for other workplaces" becomes available after 45
seconds of waiting at the terminal where the system shutdown has been started. If
you press this button, the system will be shut down irrespectively to the status of

the other terminal. Use this button only in case the standard system shutdown is
not available.

3.2. Monitor settings

You need administrator privileges to carry out monitor settings. Users with limited
rights can start the program in the overview mode.
Monitor settings can be carried out only when Aster software is activated (see 3.1.)
Monitor settings programs make it possible to allocate monitors (video outputs) to
terminals, enable or disable the monitors. To start the program open Start\Programs\Aster
Control\Monitor settings.

The setting window contains a table: rows contain information about video cards and
their outputs and columns indicate terminals (the main terminal MAIN + secondary
terminal). Monitors that are connected to one video card are joined with a dotted line.
To allocate a monitor to a terminal you need to click the relevant cell in the table. If
you click the cells in the AUTO column, the monitors will be automatically allocated to
terminals. By default the automatic allocation mode is set to all the monitors. In most
cases automatic mode is optimal and recommended for application. It is possible to use
the monitor setting window to check monitor allocation.

White circle mark in the cell indicates automatic monitor allocation to a terminal,
yellow circle mark indicates manual monitor allocation to a terminal. When a monitor is
allocated to a terminal manually, a check in the AUTO column disappears. If you click on
the AUTO column, automatic allocation is restored. As the result of monitor settings, the
marks (in the AUTO mode only) can change their place according to the algorithm of the
automatic terminal allocation (location is optimized as a result of monitor allocation in
the system).
Red circle mark indicates the terminal on which the monitor is currently operating (the
terminal has been started). It is possible to reallocate the monitor by clicking on another
cell. New mark will be not colored (usually gray) and it indicates that new settings will
be applied after system restarting. It is required that at least one monitor is allocated to
the main terminal. Otherwise Aster will force allocating all the monitors to the main
terminal to prevent failures in the system. You can change forced allocation in the
monitor settings window (restart the PC then).
In case any video card or video output must not be used when the secondary terminal
is started (for example, TV output that has been detected as separate monitor but not
currently used), it is required to disable the output by clicking on the relevant monitor (it
is possible to disable a video card by clicking on all the outputs). If you click the monitor
again, disabling will be cancelled. Disabling of an operating monitor will be applied after
system restarting. As an alternative to disabling you can allocate an extra video output to
the terminal where the main output is used. In this case you will be able to control video
outputs by opening Control panel\Display\ Settings tab on the corresponding terminal.
One terminal can use several monitors. If it is required to connect several monitors to
one terminal and double- output video card is available, it is recommended to allot all
video outputs to the terminal with several monitors. It is safe to use 2 video outputs of the
same video card at different terminals only if these terminals use only one monitor each.

3.2.1. Input devices swapping

You need administrator privileges to carry out swapping of input devices. Users with
limited rights can start the program in the overview mode.

The additional function of the monitor setting program (see 3.2.) is to control the
algorithm of the automatic allocation of input devices. It is possible to swap allocation of
the keyboards and mice between two terminals by setting the check in the relevant cell.

This feature is useful if you install Aster software on a laptop where the embedded
keyboard may refer to the external (main) monitor and an external USB keyboard may
refer to the embedded (secondary) screen. It is possible to remove the inconvenience by
swapping the input devices.

3.3. Auxiliary functions

3.3.1. Language settings
You need administrator privileges to change the language settings. Users with limited
rights can start the program in the overview mode.
Aster software allows to change language selected on default and used in text
messages. To change the language settings open the language settings window
(Start\Programs\Aster control) and select the language.

3.3.2. Terminal number

When running Aster double terminal system, you can open the Workplace Number
window (Start\Programs\Aster Control) if you need to know the terminal number which
you are working on. The information box will open and indicate the terminal number.
The box will automatically close in some seconds. The main terminal is the first.
3.3.3. Autostart mode

You need administrator privileges to enable and disable the autostart mode. Users with
limited rights can start the program in the overview mode.
It is possible to make the secondary terminal start automatically while your PC is
booting. Select Autostart control by opening Start\Programs\Aster control and put a check
against Enable Aster autostart mode (see the picture below). If you need to disable the
Autostart mode, start the Autostart control window and remove the check.

It is not recommended to enable the Autostart mode right after Aster installation. We
recommend that you first activate Aster software as described in 3.1. and check monitor
settings as described in 3.2. Make sure all the monitors are connected to the PC. Then you
can try to start Aster and, if successful, enable the Autostart mode.

3.4. User profile settings

Microsoft Windows operating system enables saving each user personal settings.
Users can choose the desktop settings, have an individual document folder and e-mail
box, select applications settings, keep personal Internet history, configure the Start menu
and Favorites, etc. Personal settings give users different access rights to the system,
network names and log-in passwords. Personal settings are created when you create new
user accounts in the system. You can add a new user account in User Accounts utility in
the Control Panel by entering a name, a password if necessary and assigning system
privileges. After booting the terminals will show the list of users and you can log in by
entering a password if one has been set.
In case user profiles are not created (the administrator profile or common user profile
is used to log in on default), a user list does not appear after system booting and both
terminals log in automatically.
3.4.1. Automatic login
You need administrator privileges to change the automatic login parameters. Users
with limited rights can start the program in the overview mode.

Aster software enables users to choose the default name and the default password for
each terminal. Default user name and password are used for automatic login to the system
at the terminals. Thus, you do not need to enter the name and password before you start
work. Open Users and Passwords in Start\Programs\Aster control to set automatic login
parameters.

The box contains the list of users registered in the system and allows to set default
user name and password for each terminal. You can select a user name from the list or
type it in the Default user name box. A check against 'Perform automatic logon' enables
automatic login at the selected terminal. The check enables the system to use the name
and password for identification of the terminal user. Automatic login helps to avoid stops
in terminal starting (for choosing an user) and eliminates the necessity to enter the
password.
To avoid mistyping enter the password twice. First enter the password in the Password
box and then in the Retype password box. The passwords must be identical. If the
selected user is not protected by a password, the boxes should be left empty. Click on the
Password boxes and remove the password if necessary. Users can enter the passwords
only when the autologin mode is enabled.
The software enables changing the automatic login parameters for the selected
terminal only. Before changing the parameters of the other terminal, press Apply. If
changes already have been saved by pressing Apply, you cannot reverse the changes by
pressing Cancel. If the Autologin program is running at the secondary terminal, terminal
selection will be disabled: at the secondary terminal it is possible to select Autologin
settings for this terminal only.

3.5. Sharing access to data and programs

Aster double-terminal system offers the possibilities similar to the ones of a local
network. The advantage of sharing access to data is one of them. Both terminals have
access to the local hard disk and CD disk drive as well as to any connected external
storage. This allows using the documents, databases and other data efficiently.
You can start all applications installed at your PC at any terminal. Most software
products maintain normal operation even if they are used by both terminals
simultaneously. You can use Aster system as 2 networked computers. However, you do
not need 2 software packages or a data server.
Software issues specific to double-terminal environment (failure to start the second
instance of application or improper behavior of the second instance) should be addressed
to the IBIK technical support service but not to the software manufacturers' technical
service.

3.6. Additional capabilities

The double-terminal environment supports multi-user games that use the TCP/IP
protocol for network connection or DirectPlay (part of Microsoft DirectX package).
The games can simultaneously run at 2 terminals and operate similarly as on 2 networked
PCs. The network card or any physical network connection is not necessary. To start a
multi-user game select TCP/IP or DirectPlay connection and start the game as a HOST
(server mode) at one terminal. The other terminal can join the HOST by using the local
IP-address "127.0.0.1" and run the game as a CLIENT (client mode). If game will prompt
for the server IP-address, enter 127.0.0.1 (without quotes) and press Connect.
Other network programs using the Client-Server architecture and the TCP/IP protocol
(including database programs) can also be used in double-terminal environment without
network installation. If the the double-terminal system is connected to the physical
network, and a server program (for instance, game in the Server mode) is running on a
remote PC, the terminals can act as independent network clients. Thus, client-programs
can start at the terminals and connect to the remote server independently. In this case it is
required that you specify the real network address of the remote server.
To provide access to the Internet at each terminal (remote access over a modem or a
cable), open the Internet Explorer, select Internet Options in the Tools Menu, click on the
Connections tab and put a check against Dial whenever a network connection is not
present. Then to connect to the Internet, you will have to activate connection at any
terminal. After connection is established, both terminals will have access to the Internet.

If network connection is used to provide access to the Internet (always active

connection), you do not need to change the settings.
We recommend that you use mailing programs (for instance, Outlook express)
carefully at the terminals. Using the common folder that contains inbox, sent messages
and service information may cause problems. If users access this folder simultaneously
from different terminals one of them will be refused access to the folder opened at the
other terminal. As a result the mailing program will create a new mailing archive and the
previous folder and its content will become inaccessible. The current location of this
folder is identified individually for every Windows user. Thus, to avoid data loss you
should create user accounts (see 3.4.) and individual folders for the messages. Individual
folders make it impossible to browse the messages of another user. If adding new users is
impossible or undesirable, simultaneous access to the folder should be prohibited.

3.6.1. Using sound devices

In case several sound playing or/and recording devices are connected to your PC, it is
possible to allocate them to different terminals. The terminals will independently use
sound devices.
Allocation of sound devices is carried out in compliance with the standard procedure
of Microsoft Windows for sound devices and multimedia. Multimedia settings are
saved independently for each user account. So, to allocate sound devices to different
terminals you will have to create user accounts (see 3.4.).
To allocate sound devices, open the Control Panel\Sounds and Audio Devices (see the
picture).

At the main terminal open the Sounds and Audio Devices window in the Control
Panel, click on the Audio tab and select the sound playing, recording or MIDI playing
devices to be used by default at this terminal (actually for the current user). Make sure to
put a check against Use only default devices. Do the same at the second terminal or log
in as the second-terminal user and select the sound playing, recording or MIDI devices
for the other terminal. Sound devices will be allocated to user accounts regardless of the
terminal where settings have been made.
In case sound devices are supposed to be used by one terminal only, it is
recommended to switch off audio messages at the other terminal by selecting 'No Sounds'
scheme in the Sounds tab. However, this setting does not hinder sound effects of the
programs (games, media players) that use the sound devices directly, even if these
devices are allocated to the other terminal.

3.6.2. Assigning IP- addresses

To achieve correct operation of some network applications (for example, traffic
control programs, some network games, etc), it is required to assign the terminals

individual IP addresses. Aster software provides assigning IP addresses to the terminals.

The IP addresses should be selected from the list of IP addresses defined on the computer.
To be able to assign the terminals different IP addresses it is necessary to add the
required quantity of IP addresses to the netword card (it can be a virtual loopback
network adapter). Log in with administrator privileges, open the Control panel, select
Network connections and select Local area connection to which you want to assign
additional IP addresses.
If you add new IP-addresses to a real (physical) network adapter that is connected
to a network, ask the network administrator for the available IP addresses.
o

In case it is impossible to add IP addresses to the real network adapter

(DHCP service that provides automatic network address is used or the
computer may have one IP-address only), it is necessary to use a virtual
network adapter to add new IP addresses. In this case in the properties of
the real network connection (which is being used to access network or the
Internet) on the Advanced tab enable shared access to the network for the
virtual network adapter.

If the only system network adapter is used for connection to the Internet over a
dedicated line (broadband cable) or Internet connection over a modem is used
(remote access to network) it is necessary to use a virtual network adapter to add
new IP addresses. In this case in the properties of the Internet connection on the
Advanced tab enable shared access to the Internet for the virtual network adapter.
In the connection properties window select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on
properties (see the picture below).

The TCP/IP protocol for the selected network connection should use the static IPaddress (see the picture below). Select Use the following IP address and enter the main IP
address and subnet mask for network connection.
If you are setting up a real (physical) network adapter connected to a network, ask
the network administrator for the static IP address.
If necessary enter the IP address of the default gateway and the IP address of the DNS
servers (these addresses are not necessary when you use a virtual network adapter). If all
these IP addresses (in the first place, the main IP address and subnet mask) have been
entered before, it is better leave them unchanged.
After the TCP/IP protocol settings are done (at least the main IP address and the
subnet mask specified), click on Advanced in the Properties window.

In the advanced TCP/IP settings window (see the picture below) it is possible to assign
additional IP addresses to the network connection. In the IP settings tab in the group of IP
addresses click on Add and enter the IP address for the main terminal and the same
subnet mask as for the main IP address (new IP address should differ from the main IP
address but should be a part of its subnet). Repeat these steps to add the IP address for the
second terminal.
Thus, three IP addresses will be assigned to the network connection in total. The main
(the 1st on the list) IP address will be used by the computer system services, and the other
two will be used by the applications at different terminals.

Confirm new settings by clicking on OK in all open windows of the network

connection properties. Follow the prompts of the system and reboot if necessary. Check
the network availability (if the computer is connected to it). Now it is possible to start
assigning IP addresses to terminals using IP-Addresses utility from the
Start/Programs/Aster control menu (see the picture below).

Enter the IP addresses for the main and secondary terminals in the relevant boxes and
click on OK. From now the terminals will use the assigned IP addresses. Clientapplications will send data from the assigned IP address, server-applications will receive
data at the assigned IP address. The fundamental IP addresses conflict is eliminated when
two instances of a server-program start at different terminals. All the system services of
the computer will use the main IP address as before assigning (default IP address).

IP addresses are assigned to the newly started applications but not to the continuously
running ones (if they were running at the moment of assigning). To ensure all aplication
are using new IP addresses you may need to restart some of them or reboot the system.
IMPORTANT NOTE: remember that if the computer is connected to the network
(particularly to the Internet), using IP addresses prohibited in the network will result in
access denial at the terminals. This may occur when you are using a virtual network
adapter for assignment of additional IP addresses in case the computer may have strictly
one "external" IP address (typical for the connections over a modem or a dedicated
broadband cable). In these cases it is necessary to enable shared access to the network
connection for the virtual adapter (in the advanced properties of the connection), or use
hardware or software routers which are capable of translating "internal" IP addresses
(assigned manually or "local" ones) to the only "external" IP address (assigned by
network provider or "global" one) and back. The required network service is named
Network Address Translation - NAT.

3.6.3. Device management

To change device settings you should have administrator privileges. Users with limited
rights can start the program in the overview mode.
Aster device manager allows allocating keyboards and mice to the terminals. It is
required to fulfill manual allocation when automatic allocation results are not adequate
for your needs or devices should be fixedly allocated to terminals. You can fulfill manual
allocation by selecting Device manager in the Start\Programs\Aster Control menu.

The program shows plugged-in devices (keyboards and mice) as a block diagram in
accordance with location of devices in the system Device Manager. To help identifying a
device in the diagram the program highlights active devices (movement of the mouse,
keystrokes) and the connection path in yellow.
Using the device manager it is possible to make the following settings:

assign a terminal number (options: Place 1, Place 2);

enable or disable devices (controlled by the checkbox against Disable for

all workplaces);

select manual or auto assignment (controlled by the checkbox against

Enable auto-assignment).
To edit the device settings, left click the relevant block in the diagram. The device will
become highlighted in red and options will be available for editing. It is possible to select
only keyboards and mice for editing. Devices of another types and intermediate elements
cannot be edited.

New settings become effective immediately after you click on OK or Apply. If you
need to change setting for several devices, you must save the settings separately for each
device (click on Apply before switching to another device).
IMPORTANT NOTE: saved USB keyboards and USB mice settings are specific to the
device models and connection schemes which were used when settings were done. If the
same device is plugged into another USB port or replaced with the device of different
model (even if it is plugged into the same USB port), you will have to set it up again.