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Simrad EK60 Scientific echo sounder

Software installation procedure. This page describes how to install the Simrad ER60 scientific echo sounder software on a Simrad EK60 or Simrad EY60 scientific echo sounder system.

  • If you wish to install the ER60 application on a new computer, you can proceed directly to the software installation procedure.
    However, to make the new computer operational as soon as possible, you will need to record the user and installation settings on the old computer as outlined in Preparations .
  • If you do not want to install the ER60 application, but still wish to use the new version of the TrList.ini file, proceed to the "TrList.ini" installation instructions.

Preparations

Read this important information before you install the new software version!

Installation of version 2.4.0 of the Simrad ER60 echo sounder application will overwrite the old software version.

The installation will also delete all existing user and installation settings. These settings include transceiver and transducer parameters as well as the interface definitions you have made. Make sure that you write down all these parameters before you start installation.

  1. Start you existing ER60 application.

  2. Go through each menu, and open every dialog box that contains parameters related to:

    • transceiver and transducer settings
    • communication with external sensors and peripherals
    • users and passwords
    • raw data export and storage

  3. Write down the all relevant parameters.

  4. Once you have recorded the installation and communication settings, close down the ER60 application.

  5. If you wish to keep the existing TrList.ini transducer parameters file, locate it to make a backup copy.

    The TrList.ini file contains the transducer parameters obtained during calibration as well as fixed parameters for each transducer. By default, the file is located in the following directory on the Windows XP computer:

    c:\Program Files\Simrad\Scientific\EK60

    If you wish to keep the old TrList.ini file you will loose the latest updates that have been made to it. This includes modified power settings and new transducers.

  6. Remove the ER60 application from your computer using the relevant tools provided by the operating system.

Software installation procedure

If you are upgrading your echo sounder installation, read the previous section Preparations carefully. When all necessary preparations have been completed you can begin software installation according to the procedure below.

  1. Download the software from the Simrad Dealer Club.
  2. Unpack the installation file. If applicable, copy the files to a suitable media.
    (If you have downloaded the ISO file, you must burn it on a CD using the “burn image to disc” feature in your burning application.)
  3. Observe the Remarks.
  4. Insert the software media, and use the Windows Explorer application to browse through the folders on the media.

  5. In the Setup folder, start the file setup.exe. This will start the installation of the echo sounder applications.

    By default, the software will be installed in the following folders:

    • Windows XP and 32-bit Windows 7: C:\Program Files\Simrad\Scientific\ER60
    • 64-bit Windows 7: C:\Program Files (x86)\Simrad\Scientific\ER60
  6. When the program installation is finished you can start the echo sounder application by clicking the icon on the desktop.
  7. Set up the user and installation parameters according to your notes.
  8. Unless you are using your old TrList.ini file, you must calibrate the echo sounder system before you use it for scientific purposes.

Folders for program data

The default folders for program data are changed. The new folders are:

  • Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Simrad\ER60

  • Windows 7: C:\ProgramData\Simrad\ER60

    The C:\ProgramData folder is normally invisible in Windows 7. In order to open this folder, you must enable “Show hidden files, folders and drives”.

Remarks

  1. Program data folder in Windows 7

    The C:\ProgramData folder is normally invisible in Windows 7. In order to open this folder, you must enable “Show hidden files, folders and drives”.

    (Use Organize → Folder and search options → View → Show hidden files, folders and drives.)

  2. Default folder for File Output in Windows 7

    In Windows 7, the default folder for file output data is located on the C:\ProgramData folder structure. You must either enable the view of this folder structure, or choose another folder in the File Output dialog box.

  3. Default folder for “TrList.ini” in Windows 7

    In Windows 7, the default folder for the “TrList.ini” file is located on the C:\ProgramData folder structure. You can find it in the ConfigSettings folder.

  4. Simrad BI60

    The Simrad BI60 post-processing application is no longer supported. The BI60 software is thus not included as a part of the EK60 application. The BI60 software is however available in the old EK60 sofware release (v2.2.1). Note that this software does not support Windows 7.

  5. Windows service packs

    Installation of the ER60 application on Windows 2000 requires Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4). For Windows XP users we recommend that service pack SP2 (or later) is installed.

    For new installations, use Windows 7.

  6. Display driver

    Some of the first releases of the Simrad APC10 processor units have an outdated version of the display driver for any of the Matrox Millenium G4xx display adapters. To check the display adapter type and driver version, observe the following procedure for Windows XP:

    1. Use the Display component in Windows Control Panel and select the Settings tab.
    2. Click the Advanced button and choose the Adapter tab.
    3. Click the Properties button in the Adapter Type section.
    4. Choose the Driver tab and click the Driver Details button to display driver details.

    If you have a Matrox Millenium G4xx display adapter the file version should be 5.12.01.1520 or newer for ER60 to display correctly.

  7. Display colours

    The EK60 applications require that the display has been configured to use more than 256 colors. Use the Display Properties dialog box in Windows to set colours to True Colors.

  8. Disk space

    Raw data recording will require a lot of hard disk space. We recommend the you provide your computer with sufficient secondary hard drives for raw data storage.