NComputing x300

[apoth0r]

Hi guys,

 

Came across a slight problem with the NComputing kit in one of my primary schools yesterday, hadn't used it before so set it all up almost copying the previous build they have in another classroom.

However when I try to update to fix a few bugs we are having with them (updates only available through an .exe) I get an error regarding "unable to connect".

I'm not entirely sure what needs to be enabled/disabled to allow this, just wondering if anyone else has come across it as the ncomputing forum has been pretty useless with regards to a solution.

 

Thanks in advance

[tmcd35]

I've been having similar problems setting up nComputing. Did find a knowledge base article on their website with a direct link to the download for the latest version of the software.

 

Look for the following article under knowledge base and you should get what you need -

• X300: Internet / automatic software update does not work
  

 

Also, when I tried (before getting this update) I found nComputing didn't like XP SP3. I've decided to use Win2k3SP2 as the base OS which this version of nComputing does like!

[apoth0r]

problem is i also have trouble registering the products because of the same error.

Wish they put a bit more thought into the setup processes before releasing things, they don't even answer the forums, seems pointless?!?!

[tmcd35]

This is why I have started looking at the SoftXpand solution. Our first nComputing system and first SoftXpand solution are both going in during the summer. Initial tests of nComputing lead us to seek out and test an alternative but admit grudgingly (as we'd already spent money on kit) that it could cope with the initial problem we wanted to solve, namely replace a 7 station Terminal Server in out library.

 

Hopefully we'll be starting our test of the SoftXpand system next week.

[apoth0r]

It's a rather small primary I'm doing the work for and they already had a system in place, so the head was sold on the prices and use of space.

I'll always negotiate with the head and find out more of what they want and try to compromise that way. There didn't appear to many problems with the current system, but it is running on a slightly newer system, which probably helped its cause.

It's just finding the time to work through the problems, it does still work and is a great solution but it's just a bit of a pain not having time to have a proper play with it, don't want to be costing them too much money! Shall apply the patch and see if it's any better, thanks again mate.

[NComputing]

Hello,

 

I believe the problems you’re experiencing with your NComputing X300s should be fairly easy to resolve. It sounds as though you’re having connection problems to our registration and update servers, which would mean that the ports that our X300 uses to communicate are being blocked on your firewall. Please get in touch with one of our NComputing technical support engineers by filling out this form Tech support

[James_]

Hiya, we are also trying out softxpand after having experienced problems with the ncomputing system. i'm not sure why this solution isnt as well known as ncomputing. I must say, the vendor miniframe has really good customer service. all tests so far have gone okay. there were a couple of little hitches at the beginning, but their tech team helped me sort them out pretty quickly and all is running smoothly now. tmcd35 - let me know how your tests go this week.

[TaliaG]

Hi tmc35 and James,

 

We are really pleased that you are testing our revolutionary multi-user, software-only solution. And thank you James for commending our customer support; we do try our best to reply to all support queries as quickly as possible, and it is nice to hear that it is being noticed.

 

The development team at MiniFrame have worked hard to ensure all types of applications work with SoftXpand, and I am convinced that you will be impressed as your testing continues.

 

Best regards,

 

Talia

[tmcd35]

Hi tmc35 and James,

The development team at MiniFrame have worked hard to ensure all types of applications work with SoftXpand, and I am convinced that you will be impressed as your testing continues.

 

Best regards,

 

Talia

 

Hi Talia,

 

Thanks for joining this thread. I don't suppose you have any experience of users running ABTutor with SoftXpand? If not I'm going to test it anyway.

 

I understand that there is a patch for iTALC in any case which will work.

 

Speaking of iTALC, anyone know id it's still in active development. Is it ever likely to get an official Vista/7 supporting release?

[verygreenpc]

Hi Talia,

 

I've got Adam fixing Net Support, RM Tutor and Smoothwall on Friday, I can add ABTutor to the list too?

 

Talia, I've been meaning to ask you about support for iTALC too. Partners are having no problems cross selling it, (even businesses are taking it!) with SoftXpand however they have mentioned support for it. Since it's free it kinda worries people!

 

Cheers,

Col

 

ps - Terry, I spoke with good ole John at DT. He spoke highly of you mate.

pps - Anyone need any other UK specific software testing on SoftXpand?

[tmcd35]

Update for those following this thread.

 

ABTutor WORKS! It sees each SoftXpand screen as an RDP session. Everything appears to work well enough. One small snag - could just be a setting thing, haven't investigated much - one session is showing up twice and another session is not showing up at all.

 

Also I had problems initially setting up the PC for SoftXpand. This is a RTFM tale. The manual says to use powered USB hubs for a reason! Lucky I got a mobo with so many USB ports that the hubs were not needed. But thats a PC setup prob and not a prob with SoftXpand.

 

Looks good so far!

 

EDIT: on the subject of ABTutor. I'm looking at this because 64bit and Windows Vista/7 support doesn't seem to be too forth coming from iTalc. Indeed iTalc development, looking at the website, seems to have stopped. Anyone know if iTalc is under active development and what the future support plans for 64bit 7 are like? I'd prefer free over £1200 for ABTutor any day!

Edited June 18, 2009 by tmcd35