Windows Settings

Basic computer setup and Windows settings

DO NOT just open your show file

ALWAYS open Spikemark through the Start Menu or Task Bar and then use File>Open to open your show

This will ensure that your show and machinery load properly in the software.

Windows Security Settings

Allow Spikemark to communicate through Windows Defender Firewall

Select the Start menu , type , and select
1. Windows+R --> firewall.cpl --> Allow an App through Windows Firewall
Select . You might be asked for an administrator password or to confirm your choice.
Scroll down to Spikemark and Spikemark_Pendant_Port.
Check any boxes that are blank and select to save.

-- if Spikemark is not on the list --

Select and Browse or enter the path for the app. Select SpikeMark.exe and click then
1. Default location is C:\Program Files\Spikemark
Return to Step 3 above to allow Spikemark through.

Select the Start menu , type Windows Defender Firewall, and select
- Windows+R --> firewall.cpl
Select on the side navigation menu. You might be asked for an administrator password or to confirm your choice.
Select .
To open a port, select and complete the instructions.
1. then select
2. Browse for the path to where you installed Spikemark. If you used the default location, copy this into the window: %ProgramFiles%\Spikemark\SpikeMark.exe then select
3. Select then select
4. Check all boxes for When does this rule apply? then select
5. Name the rule Spikemark and select

Select the Start menu , type Windows Defender Firewall, and select
- Windows+R --> firewall.cpl
Select on the side navigation menu. You might be asked for an administrator password or to confirm your choice
Select
Scroll to Spikemark left click to select it. It wil highlight blue
Copy and past the rule using CTRL+C then CTRL+V
Click in the header 2x (not double click) to refresh the list
Select either Spikemark rule then select from the right hand Actions menu
Select the Protocols and Ports menu at the top, then change the Protocol type: to UDP using the dropdown menu and select to save

Select the Start menu , type Windows Defender Firewall, and select
- Windows+R --> firewall.cpl
Select on the side navigation menu. You might be asked for an administrator password or to confirm your choice
Select
To open a port, select and complete the instructions.
1. then select
2. Select then type 8080 into then select
3. Select then select
4. Check all boxes for When does this rule apply? then select
5. Name the rule Spikemark_Pendant_Port and select

Even though we turn it off so that it does not interfere with our network or running a show, it is best practice to keep Windows up to date.

Turn off Windows Update through the Services App

Select the Start menu, type services, and select it from the list of results
Scroll down the list of Services to Windows Update and select it
Select the option to Stop the service

If the service is already off, it will show the option to Start the service. In this case, you don't need to do anything!

It is best practice to make sure that your computer is as responsive as possible:

We recommend turning off any network adapters that are not being used by Spikemark to avoid network interference

If you use a VPN, this must also be disabled to connect in Spikemark

Last updated 1 year ago