Why won't CAD4U run since upgrading to Windows XP or Vista?

Most likely you are running an out of date version of the Hardlock drivers associated with older versions of CAD4U. 

Downloading the current client Hardlock drivers from the Aladdin website should however solve the problem.

The following link will take you to the Aladdin download web page as shown opposite.

Click here to go to the Aladdin hardlock drivers.

You will need to select and download hldrv32.zip – normally the first on the list .  After download and unzipping run the file hldrv32.exe on the CAD4U workstation after installing the CAD4U software in order to update the drivers.

The current driver set now supports Windows Vista

My new PC doesn't have a parallel port, can I use a USB to parallel converter cable to access my Hardlock ?

In our experience these cables don't allow access to a parallel Hardlock.  By all means try it and we would be extremely interested in hearing from you if you are successful!  If the new PC is a desktop it is normally possible to install an add-in PCI parallel port.

Should it not be possible to use the existing parallel port Hardlock then an exchange to USB is available to all bona fide users.

Why do I get the 'Import RDF' window every time I try and enter any dimensions beginning with the number 1 ?

The 'Import RDF' function is assigned to the keyboard '1' as a Quick Key. For further information checkout the Quick Reference Guide under Keyboard Operators.  Either make sure you use the numerical keypad (to the right of the keyboard) to enter dimensions, or update the file WC_COMMANDS.TXT to remove the assigned keys.  Here is an example CAD4U V10 file with the number key assignments removed:

 WC_COMMANDS.TXT  

After opening in Explorer save the file as a text file called WC_COMMANDS and copy the file to CAD4U V10 system folder to update the existing file.  Please note that this file can only be used with version 10,  please contact Onside if you require advise on other versions.

If you inspect the file further you will note that the original number keys are now assigned to CTRL plus the number,  and that Print is now CTRL_P and Undo has also been assigned to CTRL_Z.  The use of the CTRL key effectively 'doubles-up' the number of shortcuts available

Why does my CAD4U take so long  to start ?

On starting CAD4U it looks for the Hardlock.  As you will see below, this encompasses all the possible locations the physical Hardlock can be found. You can alter the search by setting  the environment variables HL_SEARCH and HLS_IPADDR.  By targeting and restricting the search, CAD4U will start up a lot faster.

The default search sequence for the Hardlock module is as follows:

• On USB port

• On parallel port 378

• On parallel port 278

• On parallel port 3BC

•  Via the IPX protocol (16-bit) or IP protocol (32-bit)

• Via the NetBIOS protocol (16-bit) or IPX protocol (16-bit)

• Via the IP protocol (16-bit)

You can find out how this is done in the chapter entitled 'Setting Environment Variables' in the file \HARDLOCK\PDF\HLENDUSERSMANUAL_EN.PDF  found on the CAD4U CD-ROM.

Is it possible to "turn on" more than one layer at a time?

When in the layer table dialogue, use the Ctrl Key to individually select all the layers you want to manipulate (in this case Turn on the display) and then change their properties. The Shift key also allows selection of a group of layers as a standard Windows method.

I can't find a handle on my filed drawing, so how can I load it from the library?

The drawing can be selected by typing its positional reference number. Each filed drawing takes its reference number from the location of the BOTTOM LEFT HAND CORNER of the library icon e.g. to load a box size 4 drawing from top left (as shown below), just type 192 when loading from the library. For further details refer to the Library Management section of the Quick Reference Guide.

Can I add further Windows True Type fonts?

Yes, any Windows TTF font in the operating system can be used.  Various applications offer additional fonts e.g. Corel Draw has 1000’s of loadable fonts….