Difference between revisions of "Installation"

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(Prerequisites)
 
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==Download the software==
 
==Download the software==
 +
 
DXLog.net is available for download at http://www.dxlog.net/sw
 
DXLog.net is available for download at http://www.dxlog.net/sw
 +
 +
DXLog is completely free of charge. Operational costs are generously covered by K1LZ and K1XM.<br>
 +
The development team does not accept donations at this time.
 +
 +
DXLog does not have any formal minimum requirements but the general<br>
 +
recommendations are Windows 11 and 4Gbyte of RAM.
  
 
==Prerequisites==
 
==Prerequisites==
  
DXLog.net is written with the latest Microsoft technologies, using Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 C# and being compiled for Microsoft.NET Framework 4.0. <br>
+
DXLog.net is written using in C# and compiled for Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8.
It should run on any Windows version which can accept Microsoft.NET Framework version 4.0.<br><br>
+
 
Before installation of DXLog.net, you need to check that you have Microsoft.NET Framework 4.0 installed on your PC system. <br>
+
It runs on any Windows version with Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.8 but<br>
If you are not sure, you can start DXLog.net installation and the installer will warn you if .NET Framework 4.0 (or above) is not installed on your PC system. <br>
+
<b>the development team only verifies DXLog on Windows 11.</b>
<br>
+
 
Microsoft.NET Framework 4.0 is available for free from the Microsoft website.<br>
+
Due to the need to support SSL v1.2 for secure communication with live scoreboards and to download <br>
Direct download link http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=17718.<br>
+
essential data bases like Super Check Partial, Windows XP is no longer supported.
<br>
+
 
If you plan to use the Pc systems LPT port for CW keying and other functions, because of Windows limitations you need to download and install DLLPORTIO.dll driver.<br>
+
Before installation of DXLog.net, you need to verify that you have Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 installed on your PC system.<br>
You can download it from DXLog.net downloads section. The file is called <b>port95nt.exe</b> http://www.dxlog.net/sw/tools/port95nt.exe.<br>
+
If you are not sure, you can start DXLog.net installation and the installer will warn you if .NET Framework 4.8 <br>
<br>
+
(or above) is not installed on your PC system. <br>
 +
 
 +
Microsoft.NET Framework 4.8 is included in all Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations.
 +
 
 +
If you plan to use your PC's parallel LPT port for CW keying and other functions, you need to download<br>
 +
and install the DLPORTIO.DLL driver due to limitations in Windows.
 +
It can be downloaded from http://dxlog.net/sw/files/tools/port95nt.exe
 +
 
 +
If you plan to use the contest recorder, an MP3 encoder must be installed. See the [[Menu_Windows#Contest_Recorder|Contest recorder section]] for more information.
 +
 
 
As of version 2.1.1 DXLog.net is using SQLite database for data storage.<br>
 
As of version 2.1.1 DXLog.net is using SQLite database for data storage.<br>
On some WinOS Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 RTM Redistributable Package (x86 version) needs to be installed.<br>
+
On some older or custom Windows versions Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 RTM Redistributable Package (x86 version) needs to be installed.
If this package isn't found during installation, DXlog.net installer will warn you that it's not installed on your system.<br>
+
 
 +
If this package is not found during installation, DXlog.net installer will warn you.<br>  
 
You can download and install this package from: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=5555 <br>
 
You can download and install this package from: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=5555 <br>
  
 
==Install the software==
 
==Install the software==
  
Software is installed by default into your PC systems Windows Program Files folder.<br>
+
DXLog installs in the protected <tt>Program Files</tt> directory on your computer.  
For 32 bit Processor machines this is usually <tt>C:\Program Files\DXLog.net</tt>.<br>
 
For 64 bit processor machines this is usually <tt>C:\Program Files(x86)\DXLog.net</tt>.<br>
 
<br>
 
Application configuration files as well contest and database definitions are copied into a special windows folder called '''Application Data'''
 
during the first run of DXLog.net.<br>
 
  
==Unregistered limitations==
+
When a never version is available, DXLog will prompt you to install it and guide you through the installation.
  
All versions of DXLog.net can be used to evaluate software functionality with some limits.<br>
+
'''Important:''' The guided installation may cause a false malware alert. The development team is working on a solution.
  
Unregistered version can be used without any limits for '''DXPeditions'''.<br>
+
If the guided upgrade cannot be used or does not work you can manually download the installation package<br>
 +
(the .MSI file) here https://dxlog.net/sw
  
[[image:unregistered.png]]
+
You can just install a newer release. There is no need to remove older versions.
  
For all contests, DXLog.net will have following limits:<br>
+
'''Important:''' Never modify the files in the installation directory, typically <tt>C:\Program Files\DXLog.net</tt>.
- DXLog.net will restart itself every 10-20 minutes.<br>
 
- Logging is limited to 100 QSOs<br>
 
- Log file cannot be exported to different formats (ADIF, EDI, Cabrillo etc.)<br>
 
  
==Register your copy==
+
Application configuration files as well as contest and database definitions are copied to a directory in Windows'<br>
 +
hidden <tt>%AppData%</tt> directory called during the first run of DXLog.net.
  
To register your copy of DXLog.net and unlock full version functionality goto http://www.dxlog.net/registration/<br>
+
'''Important:''' If you need to edit DXLog files, you should only edit these copies.
From then main menu, click on the "Register" link and fill out the required information.<br>
 
  
[[image:registrationpage.png]]
+
This hidden directory can be reached via the <code>Files|Open configuration directory</code> menu shortcut, <br>
 +
the <tt>%AppData%</tt> system variable, or its direct location which is <tt>C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\DXLog.net</tt><br>
 +
with <tt>USERNAME</tt> being the active user name on your computer.
  
After entering all the required detail, you will receive a registration on screen, Select this key and copy to the windows clipboard using CTRL-C shortcut<br>
+
'''Important''': To make a completely clean reinstall of DXLog:
Open DXLog.net, go to Help->Register menu and fill in the registration details:<br>
+
* Uninstall DXLog
 +
* Go to the application data directory by entering %appdata% in Windows explorer
 +
* Delete the DXLog.net directory
 +
* Install DXLog
  
[[image:regdata.png]]
+
==Installing intermediate releases==
  
- username or registered user as per the registration email.<br>
+
From time to time the development team will make intermediate releases available.<br>
- callsign of registered user as per the registration email.<br>
+
Such releases may not be of production quality and typically solves a particular problem.<br>
- license key of registered user as per the registration email, paste from windows clipboard using CTRL-V<br>
+
If you do not suffer from this problem, and are not part of a testing activity you are not<br>
 +
recommended to install such releases.
  
Be careful when entering this data, if it is not exactly the same as the data you've used in registration process, the registration process will fail.<br>
+
Intermediate releases are often referred to as ''devtest'' releases and they are available [[https://dxlog.net/sw/#files%2Fdownload%2Fdevtest here]].
  
[[image:restart.png]]
+
Since the installer may not recognize a public release as newer than recent devtest release,<br>
 +
you may need to uninstall the devtest release before installing it.
  
Once entered and accepted, restart DXLog.net and if your new to DXLog.net setup your first log by going to File > New.
+
==Installing an older release==
  
[[image:DXL_ContestConfig1.png]]
+
When installing an older release it is very important to:
  
Your license key is valid for one year from the day registration.<br>
+
* Uninstall DXLog before installing the older release.
During that period, you can upgrade existing installations with newer versions as they become available.<br>
+
* Clear the %appdata%\DXLog.net\Contest directory.
  
After the one year period has expired, the existing version of DXLog.net will continue to work with full functionality but further software updates would require a new license key.<br>
+
==Resetting DXLog to factory settings==
  
You can use same license key on all your computers.<br>
+
* Go to the application data directory by entering %appdata% in Windows explorer
The registered callsign does not have to be the same as the callsign you're using in the contest log.<br>
+
* Delete (or better, rename) the <tt>DXLog.net</tt> directory
 +
* Start DXLog

Latest revision as of 20:09, 5 April 2025

Download the software

DXLog.net is available for download at http://www.dxlog.net/sw

DXLog is completely free of charge. Operational costs are generously covered by K1LZ and K1XM.
The development team does not accept donations at this time.

DXLog does not have any formal minimum requirements but the general
recommendations are Windows 11 and 4Gbyte of RAM.

Prerequisites

DXLog.net is written using in C# and compiled for Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8.

It runs on any Windows version with Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.8 but
the development team only verifies DXLog on Windows 11.

Due to the need to support SSL v1.2 for secure communication with live scoreboards and to download
essential data bases like Super Check Partial, Windows XP is no longer supported.

Before installation of DXLog.net, you need to verify that you have Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 installed on your PC system.
If you are not sure, you can start DXLog.net installation and the installer will warn you if .NET Framework 4.8
(or above) is not installed on your PC system.

Microsoft.NET Framework 4.8 is included in all Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations.

If you plan to use your PC's parallel LPT port for CW keying and other functions, you need to download
and install the DLPORTIO.DLL driver due to limitations in Windows. It can be downloaded from http://dxlog.net/sw/files/tools/port95nt.exe

If you plan to use the contest recorder, an MP3 encoder must be installed. See the Contest recorder section for more information.

As of version 2.1.1 DXLog.net is using SQLite database for data storage.
On some older or custom Windows versions Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 RTM Redistributable Package (x86 version) needs to be installed.

If this package is not found during installation, DXlog.net installer will warn you.
You can download and install this package from: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=5555

Install the software

DXLog installs in the protected Program Files directory on your computer.

When a never version is available, DXLog will prompt you to install it and guide you through the installation.

Important: The guided installation may cause a false malware alert. The development team is working on a solution.

If the guided upgrade cannot be used or does not work you can manually download the installation package
(the .MSI file) here https://dxlog.net/sw

You can just install a newer release. There is no need to remove older versions.

Important: Never modify the files in the installation directory, typically C:\Program Files\DXLog.net.

Application configuration files as well as contest and database definitions are copied to a directory in Windows'
hidden %AppData% directory called during the first run of DXLog.net.

Important: If you need to edit DXLog files, you should only edit these copies.

This hidden directory can be reached via the Files|Open configuration directory menu shortcut,
the %AppData% system variable, or its direct location which is C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\DXLog.net
with USERNAME being the active user name on your computer.

Important: To make a completely clean reinstall of DXLog:

  • Uninstall DXLog
  • Go to the application data directory by entering %appdata% in Windows explorer
  • Delete the DXLog.net directory
  • Install DXLog

Installing intermediate releases

From time to time the development team will make intermediate releases available.
Such releases may not be of production quality and typically solves a particular problem.
If you do not suffer from this problem, and are not part of a testing activity you are not
recommended to install such releases.

Intermediate releases are often referred to as devtest releases and they are available [here].

Since the installer may not recognize a public release as newer than recent devtest release,
you may need to uninstall the devtest release before installing it.

Installing an older release

When installing an older release it is very important to:

  • Uninstall DXLog before installing the older release.
  • Clear the %appdata%\DXLog.net\Contest directory.

Resetting DXLog to factory settings

  • Go to the application data directory by entering %appdata% in Windows explorer
  • Delete (or better, rename) the DXLog.net directory
  • Start DXLog