Configuring Ascent for Non-Administrator Computer User Accounts

The information provided is for help with Commtest Instruments products:

• Ascent® 8.00 or later

Note: This functionality requires Ascent version 8.00 or later.

These instructions only apply to Windows NT 4.0 (SP6), Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

QUESTION

How do I configure the Ascent program so that computer users who don't have administrator permissions can use it?

ANSWER

By default the Ascent software will require that the user log onto Windows with 'Power User' or 'Administrator' privileges. This is because settings files, backup files etc are stored in the Ascent installation folder, which non-administrators are normally not allowed to modify. Creation and management of all other users will be handled through this administrator account.

To enable non-administrator access the administrator must create files and folders for containing user profile settings, specify the location of these folders and also ensure that the Ascent security dongle can be accessed by all users. Follow the instructions below to do this.

Creating the Folders

• With the software running select Options>Explore Settings Folder. This will open a Windows Explorer view of the Ascent program files. The location it points to will be similar to:

C:\Program Files\Commtest Instruments\Ascent

• Create a text file in this folder called 'settings.dir'.
• Open this file in Notepad and enter the following lines of text.

[Settings]

StorageDir=%APPDATA%\Ascent

Note: %APPDATA%\Ascent is a recommended location for storing the Ascent settings. The computer administrator should choose an appropriate location that the non-administrators will be able to use. Usually one of the following is appropriate.

%APPDATA%\Ascent

(settings will be specific to each user)

%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Ascent

(settings will be common to all users)

Making a HASP Key available to non-administrator users

For Windows NT4 and Windows 2000

• Under Start>Settings>Control Panel double-click the 'Devices' item.
• Locate the items Haspnt and Hardlock then change their Startup times from Automatic to System.

For Windows XP

• Under Start>Settings>Control Panel double-click the System item.
• Click the Hardware tab.
• Click the Device Manager button.
• From the view menu choose Show hidden devices.
• Expand the Non-Plug and Play Drivers group.
• Double-click the Haspnt driver to open its properties dialog.
• Click the Driver tab and change the Startup times from Automatic to System. Do not make any changes to the Hardlock driver.
• Click OK. The Ascent program will now allow non-administrators to log on.

Important: When running the Ascent software do not try to use the program from two different user accounts on the same PC at the same time (fast user switching in Windows XP). The Ascent security dongle cannot be accessed by two users simultaneously.

FAQ ID: 12064 Last Reviewed: 26/09/2005