Automated microscopy for fission track dating — serving science since 1979
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Updating Your Software

TrackWorks and FastTracks can be updated three ways. Here they are in order of effort — plus the licence rules that decide which version you should download.

1. Automatic update (easiest)

Both TrackWorks (TW) and FastTracks (FT) include a built-in updater under Window → Software Updates, at the right-hand end of the menu bar. You will find:

  • A tick-box enabling or disabling automatic updates.
  • The update URL. For V2 software this should be http://www.autoscan.com/downloads/update; for V3 it should be http://www.autoscan.com/downloads/update/version3/.

With automatic updates enabled, the program checks for updates at every start (occasionally causing a short delay when an update is large), or on demand via the "Check for Updates" button. Behind a restrictive firewall, you can enter a proxy address in the space provided. Beyond that, no operator intervention is required.

2. Download from our website (more work)

Registered customers can download the latest update packages as ZIP files from our members' download area. Once downloaded, the ZIP needs to be expanded and installed as described below. Contact us for current version details and access credentials.

3. Dropbox link by email (most work)

The update ZIPs are large (roughly 36 MB for V2, 75 MB for V3) — too large for most mail servers. On request we place the file in our Dropbox and email you a link; download it and install as described below.

Which version? One only, please!

Our patented software is protected by a user licence tied to one specific computer, valid for both TrackWorks and FastTracks, and located in the same folder as the respective .exe files. Crucially, a V2 licence only runs V2 software, and a V3 licence only runs V3 software:

  • Running V2? Downloading V3 is pointless — it will not work with your licence.
  • Running V3? There is no reason to go back to V2 and lose V3's extra features.

You can confirm which version your licence covers in two places: the splash screen when the program opens, and the extreme top-left of the operating screen while it runs.

Installing a downloaded update

  1. Automatic updates: nothing further to do.
  2. ZIP from the website:
    • Create a new folder for the update and unzip into it.
    • Copy your license.xml into both the TW and FT folders the ZIP creates. Copying each program's preferences.xml across as well saves re-doing your settings.
    • Make new desktop shortcuts pointing to the new folders — the old version stays available if you ever want to fall back.
  3. Dropbox link: download the ZIP, then proceed exactly as for item 2.