Setup

Q) What software do I need for MyServant to work?

A) MyServant requires HAL2000 or HALDeluxe v3.0.9 or higher.

The supported Windows platforms are Windows 2000 or higher.  At least 256MB ram is recommended, with a CPU of 2GHz or higher for acceptable use.

MyServant is designed for touch screen support, but can also be run as a standard application - thus, any monitor will do, running at least 1024x768 resolution will suffice.

Q) Do I need a touch screen to use MyServant?

A) Although MyServant has been designed to fully support touch screens, it is not a prerequisite.  MyServant can be run in windowed mode like any other Windows application, and the mouse-cursor can be turned on.

MyServant has been designed to run in full-view mode at 1024x768 - the most common resolution for touch screens.  If MyServant is used in windowed mode, a higher resolution is recommended, so that the Windows task bar is not overlapped.

Q) I've downloaded and installed it.  Now what?

A) The Server application runs on the same PC that HAL is installed on - it just operates in the background; minimised ot the system tray.  MyServant is the touch-screen application.  You can install this on the same PC, and/or on other PCs that have access to the HAL pc (either by a network or internet).

Read the 'getting started' doc file, which explains how to perform the initial configurations for each application.

Q) How do I get the Server to automatically start?

A) In HAL, go to Settings -> Personal Assistant -> Startup Programs and add a new entry, that executes the MyServantServer.exe file.  HCServer will then load up with HAL when it starts.  It will also automatically shut down when HAL is shut down.

Also, if you are using HC Client on the same PC, an option on MyServant Server's General Configuration screen allows the HC client to be executed along with the MyServantServer.

Q) Will I lose my MyServant Database if I uninstall?

A) No.  The database will be preserved, along with its storage directory.

Q) Will I lose custom files in the MyServant directory if I uninstall?

A) No.  Your files will be preserved, along with their storage directories.

          Usage

Q) How many occupants are supported?

A) MyServant supports an unlimited number of occupants.

Q) How many floor-plan levels are supported?

A) MyServant currently supports up to 4 floor-plan levels.

Q) How do I setup the occupants if family members arrive/leave together?

A) You can still assign individual occupancy buttons (for individual alarm clocks, voicemail, etc), but on the Server Manager's Occupancy Screen, don't assign an arrival/departure sensor for each.   Instead, change the option to 'House is Considered Empty when - Sensor becomes FALSE', and only assign arrival/departure macros for when the house becomes vacant/occupied.

          Issues

Q) I run MyServant remotely, but it can't connect to the server.  Why?

A) Make sure that you've configured the correct IP address in ClientManager - this gets stored in MyServant.ini and is used by MyServant to find the Server's PC on the network/internet.  Also, make sure that both MyServant and the Server have been configured to use the same port (in ServerManager, the poirt setting is on the General Setup page) and tha you've allowed the port through any firewalls you may have.

Q) Why does Server Manager think the Server is running when it's not?

A) When Server Manager is started, it checks the title of all current running applications.  If any are found that state "MyServantServer" then Server Manager believes the Server is running, and will refuse to run simultaneously.

If you encounter a time where Server Manager thinks MyServantServer is running, but it's not, check if you have a Windows Explorer open with the title stating "MyServantServer" (ie: currently browsing to the MyServantServer directory) - if so, close Windows Explorer or change directories, and load Server Manager again.

Q) How do I stop Windows Taskbar from overlapping MyServant?

A) You will have to configure the Winfows takbar to auto-hide.  Right click on the taskbar, select 'Properties', select the Taskbar Tab and tick the 'Auto Hide Task Bar' checkbox.