Here you will find some information that will help you get started with your upgrade to MicroSurvey STAR*NET. If you don't find an answer to your question here, try searching our Helpdesk, or submit a support ticket.
- About MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6
- Installing MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6
- Registering MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6
- Using/Customizing MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6
- Learning MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6
About MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6
What is new in MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6, compared to my old Starplus STAR*NET?
Currently MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6 and Starplus STAR*NET are nearly identical. MicroSurvey STAR*NET is now licensed via a MicroSurvey USB License Key and we have added an online help system to the program, but there are no other major changes so far. MicroSurvey STAR*NET 7 will introduce some exciting new features and improvements.
Will it be a big adjustment learning MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6?
MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6 is functionally identical to Starplus STAR*NET so there will be no learning curve to transition from Starplus STAR*NET to MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6. MicroSurvey STAR*NET 7 will introduce some exciting new features and improvements.
Installing MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6
Will installing MicroSurvey STAR*NET overwrite my existing copy of Starplus STAR*NET?
No, MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6 is a separate standalone installation. It will install (by default) into C:\Program Files\MicroSurvey\StarNet 6\. This will allow your previous version of Starplus STAR*NET to continue to run in its original folder so you can transition cleanly and easily.
Will upgrading MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6 overwrite my existing copy of an earlier version of MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6?
Yes, if you upgrade from a previous version of MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6 to a newer version of MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6 then the old one will be automatically uninstalled prior to the new one being installed. If you have customized any of the installed Star6.cus, Star6.def, Star6.dwg, Star6.fmt, or Star6.spc files, be sure to back them up first to avoid any data loss. Upgrading will not affect your project files or modeling files in any way.
What about my Starplus conversion utilities like STAR*TDS, STAR*Carlson, etc? Is there a new MicroSurvey version of them?
Yes, the MicroSurvey STAR*NET installation package includes all of the conversion utilities and they are automatically installed into your selected installation folder. After you have installed MicroSurvey STAR*NET they are available via your Start Menu | Programs | MicroSurvey | StarNet 6 | Converters.
Should I un-install my previous version of Starplus STAR*NET prior to installing MicroSurvey STAR*NET?
We suggest keeping your current version installed until after you install MicroSurvey STAR*NET and have tested it to make sure it installed ok. When you're satisfied that everything is running ok, you can un-install your older version. Please remember that if you have purchased MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6 as an upgrade from a previous version, then you no longer own the license for that previous version and should not be using it for production work.
How do I install the new version?
To install, you must be logged in with an Administrator account. Please contact your network administrator if you do not have Administrator access.
Installing from the internet: Click on the download link which was emailed to you, and press "Save" to save the file onto your harddrive and browse to wherever you want the file saved, perhaps your "My Documents" or "Downloads" folder, then press "Run" or "Open" when the download finishes. Follow the on-screen instructions to step through the installation.
Installing from a CD: Insert the CD that you received when you purchased the upgrade into your CDROM drive. Open a "My Computer" or "Windows Explorer" window and browse into your CDROM drive, then double-click the installation file. Follow the on-screen instructions to step through the installation.
Do I really need an Administrator account?
Yes, you need an Administrator account to install MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6. Please contact your network administrator if you do not have Administrator access. After it has been installed by an Administrator, any user can run the program without requiring Administrator permissions.
How do I remove my old Starplus STAR*NET program?
Please use the Control Panel | Add / Remove Programs applet to remove it. After the program is removed, there may be a few configuration files left in the Starplus STAR*NET directories. After you have examined the remaining files in these directories and subdirectories to verify that you haven't placed any valuable files there, you can delete them.
How do I remove my MicroSurvey STAR*NET program?
Please use the Control Panel | Add / Remove Programs applet to remove it. After the program is removed, there may be a few configuration files left in the MicroSurvey STAR*NET directories. After you have examined the remaining files in these directories and subdirectories to verify that you haven't placed any valuable files there, you can delete them.
Registering MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6
I've got it installed. How do I register it?
First, you need to activate the USB License Key you received when you purchased MicroSurvey STAR*NET. Plug the USB License Key into any computer that is connected to the internet and run the License Manager software that was installed with MicroSurvey STAR*NET. Simply follow the on-screen prompts to Update your license key.
Do you have hardware locks available?
Yes, all of our MicroSurvey STAR*NET licenses use a USB License Key for activating the program. Simply plug the USB License Key into the computer, and then start MicroSurvey STAR*NET. Want to work on MicroSurvey STAR*NET at home or on another computer? Just take the USB License Key with you, wherever you want to use it!
Can I use MicroSurvey STAR*NET without a hardware lock?
No, all of our MicroSurvey STAR*NET licenses use a USB key for activating the program. The key can be connected directly to your workstation, or to a network server. Without a USB license key, MicroSurvey STAR*NET can run only in demo mode which is limited to 10 stations.
Can I use MicroSurvey STAR*NET with my Starplus STAR*NET sentinel USB or LPT key?
No, a MicroSurvey USB license key is required. Please contact MicroSurvey Software at 1-800-668-3312 or 1-250-707-0000 for pricing information to upgrade your Starplus license to a MicroSurvey license.
How do I register it with my network license?
First, you need to activate the USB License Key you received when you purchased MicroSurvey STAR*NET. Plug the USB License Key into any computer that is connected to the internet and run the License Manager software that was installed with MicroSurvey STAR*NET.
Then install the MicroSurvey Network License Server application on any computer on your network with an available USB port. Once your USB License Key has been activated online, just plug it into any available USB port on any computer on your network which has the MicroSurvey Network License Server installed. Make sure you know the name of the computer that the USB License Key is plugged into. If you are unsure of the computer name, please contact your network administrator for assistance.
Then run MicroSurvey STAR*NET on any computer on the same network. When asked, simply provide MicroSurvey STAR*NET with the computer name or IP address that the USB License Key is plugged into, and then press the "Connect to Server USB Key" button and it will automatically detect the USB License Key and unlock the program if there is an available seat available. You must leave the USB License Key plugged in to the server computer for the entire duration that anyone is running MicroSurvey STAR*NET – if you unplug the key, MicroSurvey STAR*NET will become disabled on any computer it is running on.
Using and Customizing MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6
What will happen to all my old Starplus STAR*NET projects? Can I still use them with MicroSurvey STAR*NET?
MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6 uses exactly the same file formats as Starplus STAR*NET 6. Any of your previous project files, data files, GPS vector files, etc can all be used with MicroSurvey STAR*NET.
What about all the Geoid Models and Vertical Deflection Files which I created with the StarGeoid utility? Can I still use them with MicroSurvey STAR*NET?
All files created by Starplus STAR*NET, including vertical deflection and geoid modeling files created with the StarGeoid utility, are completely compatible with MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6. You can simply copy the contents of your C:\Starplus\StarNet\Modeling\ folder into one of the following folders, as appropriate:
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.39 through 6.0.41: C:\Program Files\MicroSurvey\StarNet 6\Modeling\
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.42 or newer (Windows XP): C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\StarNet V6\Modeling\
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.42 or newer (Windows Vista/7): C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\StarNet V6\Modeling\
Note: The Application Data and ProgramData folders are hidden by default.
If you are upgrading from MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.39-6.0.41 to v6.0.42 or newer, you will need to copy or move your Modeling files from the old Modeling folder to the new Modeling folder (shown above).
I have customized the default Company Options and created an extensive Instrument Library, will I need to configure them again?
All files created by Starplus STAR*NET are completely compatible with MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6. You can simply copy the C:\Starplus\StarNet\Star6.def file into one of the following folders, as appropriate:
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.39 through 6.0.41: C:\Program Files\MicroSurvey\StarNet 6\
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.42 or newer (Windows XP): C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\StarNet V6\
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.42 or newer (Windows Vista/7): C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\StarNet V6\
Note: The Application Data and ProgramData folders are hidden by default.
If you are upgrading from MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.39-6.0.41 to v6.0.42 or newer, you will need to copy or move your Modeling files from the old Modeling folder to the new Modeling folder (as shown above).
I have customized the default Grid Parameters File, to include my own Coordinate Systems, will I need to configure them again?
All files created by Starplus STAR*NET are completely compatible with MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6. You can simply copy the C:\Starplus\StarNet\Star6.cus and/or Star6.spc files into one of the following folders, as appropriate:
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.39 through 6.0.41: C:\Program Files\MicroSurvey\StarNet 6\
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.42 or newer (Windows XP): C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\StarNet V6\
MicroSurvey STAR*NET v6.0.42 or newer (Windows Vista/7): C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\StarNet V6\
Note: The Application Data and ProgramData folders are hidden by default.
Learning MicroSurvey STAR*NET 6
Is there an online Help system?
Yes, MicroSurvey STAR*NET includes context-sensitive online help system which is accessible via Help|Contents, or from the various Help buttons throughout the program.
Are there any tutorials or examples?
Yes, there are several tutorials available in both the manuals and help files. You can access the PDF manuals through your Start Menu | Programs | MicroSurvey | StarNet 6 | Manuals, or you can access the online help files from directly inside MicroSurvey STAR*NET by going to Help|Contents.
Are there any training movies?
Not yet.
What about classroom-type training, is anything like that available?
Training courses are sometimes offered if there is sufficient demand in a particular region. Please phone your Technical Sales Representative at 1-800-668-3312 or 1-250-707-0000 to enquire about any upcoming training sessions.
Brian Sloman
Comments