Setting Up a New Comptuer for Spikemark
Steps to get a brand new, out of the box, computer ready to run Spikemark
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.
Install Windows With Offline Local Account
These steps begin once Windows has been installed and turns on to the initial setup
Shift + F10 -> Command prompt
OOBE\BYPASSNRO --> Restarts computer
Shift + F10 --> Command Prompt
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)
Press
WIN+R
to open the Run WindowType
powercfg.cpl
to open the Power OptionsClick "Choose what the power buttons do"
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
Right Click on a blank space on the Windows Taskbar
Turn the Widget slider to "Off"
Click the drop down carrot beside Other system tray icons
Turn the Safely Remove Hardware and EJect Media to "On"
Turn all other sliders to "Off"
Date and Time
Set Time Zone for location
Sync now
Right Click the clock in the lower right corner of the Windows Taskbar and select Adjust date and time
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
Verify that Set time automatically slider is set to "On"
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
Right Click the clock in the lower right corner of the Windows Taskbar and select Notification settings
Click Notifications slider to "Off"
Click Do not disturb slider to "On"
Scroll to the bottom off the screen and click the Additional settings carrot to display additional check boxes
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
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.
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
Programs to Install
set docs.creativeconners.com as default start page
PowerToys - We like to activate Find My Mouse, especially if using multiple screens
Windows Security Settings
Allow Spikemark to communicate through Windows Defender Firewall
Add an app from the list of allowed apps
Select the Start menu
, type
Allow an app through Windows Firewall
, and selectWindows+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
Default location is
C:\Program Files\Spikemark
Return to Step 3 above to allow Spikemark through.
Open a port
Select the Start menu
, type
Windows Defender Firewall
, and selectWindows+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.
then select
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 selectSelect
then select
Check all boxes for When does this rule apply? then select
Name the rule
Spikemark
and select
Allow UDP in Spikemark
Select the Start menu
, type
Windows Defender Firewall
, and selectWindows+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
Open Port for Spikemark Pendant
Select the Start menu
, type
Windows Defender Firewall
, and selectWindows+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.
then select
Select
then type
8080
intothen select
Select
then select
Check all boxes for When does this rule apply? then select
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
Windows+R ->
ncpa.cpl
Right click on each unused network adapter and select

If you use a VPN, this must also be disabled to connect in Spikemark
Last updated
Was this helpful?