# Setting Up a New Comptuer for Spikemark
1. [Install Windows with Offline Local Account](#install-windows-with-offline-local-account)
2. [Power Settings](#power-settings)
3. [Taskbar Settings](#taskbar-settings)
4. [Date and Time](#date-and-time)
5. [Notifications](#notifications)
6. [Spikemark Utility Shortcuts](#spikemark-utility-shortcuts)
7. [Windows Updates](#windows-updates)
8. [Programs to Install](#programs-to-install)
9. [Windows Security Settings](#windows-security-settings)
{% hint style="danger" %}
**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.
{% endhint %}
## Install Windows With Offline Local Account
These steps begin once Windows has been installed and turns on to the initial setup
1. Shift + F10 -> Command prompt
2. OOBE\BYPASSNRO --> Restarts computer
3. Shift + F10 --> Command Prompt
4. ipconfig /release
## Power Settings
* Turn off the display: 2hrs
* Put the computer to sleep: Never
* Turn off hard disk after: 0 (never)
* When I press the power button: Do nothing (prevents unintended shutdown/sleep)
* When I press the sleep button: Do nothing (prevents unintended shutdown/sleep)\
1. Press `WIN+R` to open the Run Window
2. Type `powercfg.cpl` to open the Power Options
3. Click "Choose what the power buttons do"
4. Select "Do nothing" in each of the drop-down menus
* Be sure to do this for the power button, sleep button, and "When I close the lid" for both On batter and Plugged in
## Taskbar Settings
* Widgets: OFF
* Other system tray icons:
* Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media: ON\
1. **Right Click** on a blank space on the Windows Taskbar
2. Turn the **Widget** slider to "Off"
3. Click the drop down carrot beside **Other system tray icons**
4. Turn the **Safely Remove Hardware and EJect Media** to "On"
5. Turn all other sliders to "Off"
## Date and Time
* Set Time Zone for location
* Sync now\
1. **Right Click** the clock in the lower right corner of the Windows Taskbar and select **Adjust date and time**
2. Click **Time zone** drop down menu and select current time zone
* If this option is greyed out, click the **Set time zone automatically** slider to the "Off" position
3. Verify that **Set time automatically** slider is set to "On"
4. Click **Sync now** button and verify that the time updates to the current, local time
## Notifications
* Notifications: OFF
* Do not disturb: ON
* Additional settings
* Show the Windows welcome experience after updates and when signe din to show what's new and suggested: OFF
* Suggest ways to get the most out of Windows and finish setting up this device: OFF
* Get tips and suggestions when using Windows: OFF\
1. **Right Click** the clock in the lower right corner of the Windows Taskbar and select **Notification settings**
2. Click **Notifications** slider to "Off"
3. Click **Do not disturb** slider to "On"
4. Scroll to the bottom off the screen and click the **Additional settings** carrot to display additional check boxes
5. Deselect all checkboxes under **Additional settings**
## Spikemark Utility Shortcuts
* Drive Parameter Sets
* OSC Libraries
* Spikemark Firmware
* Spikemark Log Files
* CCI VFD Error Codes
* Common Log File Searches
## Windows Updates
* Run Windows Update until there is nothing left to update
* Turn off Windows Update through the Services App
{% hint style="success" %}
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](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/update-windows-3c5ae7fc-9fb6-9af1-1984-b5e0412c556a).
[**CLICK HERE to Check for Windows Updates Now**](ms-settings:windowsupdate?activationSource=SMC-IA-4027667)
{% endhint %}
1. Select the Start menu, type **services**, and select it from the list of results
2. Scroll down the list of Services to **Windows Update** and select it
3. Select the option to **Stop**** the service**
{% hint style="info" %}
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!
{% endhint %}
## Programs to Install
* [Chrome](https://www.google.com/chrome/?_gl=1*1lcpmyb*_up*MQ..\&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkZm_BhDrARIsAAEbX1EBS2xVG-cU7KL5loC3OanhlY4-Jv2YmUPuJR7IhdKsW90JJGkTW68aAq9xEALw_wcB\&gclsrc=aw.ds)
* set [docs.creativeconners.com](https://github.com/creativeconners/PublicDocumentation/blob/main/technical-support/tech-tips/docs.creativeconners.com) as default start page
* [Notepad++](https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/) - This is our preferred application for reading [Log Files](/docs/spikemark/spikemark-installation.md#install-location-and-support-files)
* [PDFGear](https://www.pdfgear.com/download/)
* [PowerToys](https://aka.ms/installpowertoys) - We like to activate **Find My Mouse**, especially if using multiple screens
* [Spikemark](https://store.creativeconners.com/products/spikemark-3)
## Windows Security Settings
Allow Spikemark to communicate through **Windows Defender Firewall**
### Add an app from the list of allowed apps
1. Select the Start menu , type **`Allow an app through Windows Firewall`**, and select 
1. Windows+R -> **`firewall.cpl`** -> Allow an App through Windows Firewall
2. Select . You might be asked for an administrator password or to confirm your choice.
3. Scroll down to **Spikemark** and **Spikemark\_Pendant\_Port**. 
4. Check any boxes that are blank and select  to save.
**-- if Spikemark is not on the list --**
4. Select  and Browse or enter the path for the app. Select **SpikeMark.exe** and click  then 
1. Default location is **`C:\Program Files\Spikemark`**
5. Return to **Step 3** above to allow Spikemark through.
### Open a port
1. Select the Start menu , type **`Windows Defender Firewall`**, and select 
* Windows+R -> **`firewall.cpl`**
2. Select on the side navigation menu. You might be asked for an administrator password or to confirm your choice.
3. Select .
4. 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 
### Allow UDP in Spikemark
1. Select the Start menu , type **`Windows Defender Firewall`**, and select 
* Windows+R -> **`firewall.cpl`**
2. Select on the side navigation menu. You might be asked for an administrator password or to confirm your choice
3. Select 
4. Scroll to **Spikemark** left click to select it. It wil highlight blue
5. Copy and past the rule using **CTRL+C** then **CTRL+V**
6. Click  in the header **2x** (not double click) to refresh the list
7. Select either Spikemark rule then select  from the right hand Actions menu
8. Select the **Protocols and Ports** menu at the top, then change the **Protocol type:** to **UDP** using the dropdown menu and select  to save
### **Open Port for Spikemark Pendant**
1. Select the Start menu , type **`Windows Defender Firewall`**, and select 
* Windows+R -> **`firewall.cpl`**
2. Select on the side navigation menu. You might be asked for an administrator password or to confirm your choice
3. Select 
4. 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 
## Windows Network Adapters
We recommend turning off any network adapters that are not being used by Spikemark to avoid network interference
1. **Windows+R** -> **`ncpa.cpl`**
2. **Right click** on each unused network adapter and select 
Disabled adapters are greyed out and say Disabled
{% hint style="danger" %}
If you use a VPN, this must also be disabled to connect in Spikemark
{% endhint %}
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