An update of Advanced Spring Design, 6.0.11, is now available for download from http://www1.uts.com/asdupdate

The update is free to current ASD users.

When downloading the install, a dialog will appear regarding a security warning. Please indicate that you trust the setup and wish to continue.

Changes and upgrades were made based on user feedback.

Periodic ASD Updates, which include software improvements, new features and bug fixes, are provided to ASD users as part of the yearly subscription service.

If you have any questions about the installation and use of ASD, please contact Universal Technical
Systems (UTS) by e-mail at support@uts.com. Or you may reach UTS by phone between 8 a.m. and
5 p.m. Central Time at (815) 963-2220.

Depending on the kind of problem you are experiencing with Advanced Spring Design (ASD), please contact UTS or SMI as follows:

For installation problems, printing, software crashes or other problems with the proper working of the software, please contact UTS:
Email: support@uts.com
Phone: (815) 963-2220
Fax: (815) 963-8884

To renew your ASD software license, and for other billing questions, please contact Lynne Carr at SMI:
E-mail: lynne@smihq.org
Phone: (630) 495-8588
Fax: (630) 495-8595

For any other questions such as which formulas are used, selection of spring materials, various limits used in the software, other questions regarding how to design springs, etc. please contact Luke Zubek, SMI technical director, at:
Email: luke@smihq.org
Phone: (630) 495-8588
Fax: (630) 495-8595

There could be several reasons your GSDS5 software is not functioning properly. Much depends on the computer's operating system. GSDS5.x was designed when Windows95 and Windows98 were the more predominant operating systems.
As Windows has changed, we have had to play "catch-up" and offer suggestions on making an older piece of software work with an operating system that continues to evolve.
Over the past several years, we have found many of the problems are reconciled using one of the following solutions. Some of these fixes are quite simple and can be accomplished quickly. Others may require the attention of your company's IT manager.

Is GSDS5.x telling you that your computer can't find the key?

In order, from easiest to implement to toughest, here is what we suggest:

Solution #1…spnsrv9x
1) Go to Explore…Program Files…GSDS5
Open the GSDS5 folder to determine which files are included in it.

2) Locate file spnsrv9x and, using the left button, double click. A small dialogue box will open for a second or two and indicate that the server is starting. The box will disappear, and a small, double computer icon will appear on the Start menu service tray.

3) Now you can start the GSDS5 file by double clicking on the executable (.exe) file.

4) The server will continue to run until you reboot the computer or shut it off. To re-start GSDS5, you must re-start the server by going through steps 2 and 3. However, if the server remains, you only have to re-start GSDS5 by clicking on the icon.

Solution #2…nslms324.dll file
1) Go to Explore…Program Files…GSDS5
Open the GSDS5 folder to determine which files are included in it.

2) See file nslms324.dll

3) This file must be located in the GSDS5 folder AND in the Windows\System 32 folder.

4) Copy file nslms324.dll to the system 32 folder and then reboot.

5) If necessary, then go to Solution #1 if the key still can't be found.

Solution #3…new security key drivers
Making the GSDS5.X function on an NT, Windows2000 or newer Windows operating system may require downloading a new driver from SafeNet (formerly Rainbow Corp.), maker of the security key that must be attached to the terminal's parallel port.

1) Go to the SafeNet's Sentinal Technical Support page:
http://www.safenet-inc.com/support/tech/sentinel.asp

2) Click on the Sentinel Protection Installer link.

3) Install the driver. It works on all current versions of Windows, including NT, 2000 and XP.

Solution #4…IPX-SPX
There may be problems associated entirely with the Win2000 environment. Try adding the IPX-SPX protocol to the Network environment if it previously had TCP IP as the only protocol.

This may fix other Network problems, as it appears that the security key or protocols are out of date for TCP IP and Windows 2000.

Solution #5…parallel port
Run a program from the SafeNet (formerly Rainbow Corp.) Web site, http://www.safenet-inc.com, called setupx86.exe and configure the parallel port. Only the USB port was listed.


If you have upgraded from a previous version of Windows…

to Windows2000

• Win2000 is essentially an NT program. Therefore, you may need to implement the Rainbow "service," i.e. follow the NT installation instructions.
  
• Run D:\sentinel\drivers\setup.exe from the GSDS5 installation CD
  
• This loads the files and starts the service.
  
  

to Windows XP

• GSDS5 is not compatible with the Windows XP Professional edition but may work with the Home edition.
• Install GSDS5. In the installation Wizard, make sure you choose to put an icon on desktop
  
• Right click on the icon and select Properties
  
• Click on the Compatibility tab
  
• Set compatibility for Windows98
  
• Follow directions/reboot if necessary and try again.
  

If you have tried these solutions, and you continue to get error messages, you may wish to consider purchasing the latest SMI software, Advanced Spring Design, which is fully compatible with Windows XP and 2000, click here to learn more.

However, in some circumstances, we have been successful in getting 2.1 to operate (although there are serious printer issues and printing may not be a pleasant experience).

Making the Spring Designer 2.1 function on NT or newer Windows operating systems requires downloading a new driver rom SafeNet (formerly Rainbow Corp.), maker of the security key that must be attached to the terminal's parallel port.

1) Go to the SafeNet's Sentinal Technical Support page:
http://www.safenet-inc.com/support/tech/sentinel.asp

2) Click on the Sentinel Protection Installer link.

3) Install the driver. It works on all current versions of Windows, including NT, 2000 and XP.

If this solution does not work, SMI unfortunately has no additional fixes for Spring Designer 2.1. You may wish to consider purchasing SMI's Advanced Spring Design Software.