7900 International Drive, Suite 1040

Minneapolis, MN 55425 USA

+1 651 447 5574 · fax: +1 952 853 1280

Running SPARKSona 64-bit Machine

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Install DOSbox
  3. Install SPARKS
  4. Exception- Backup
Contact ISIS Support

Introduction:

The following steps will guide you through the installation, configuration, and use ofSparks on a 64-bit Operating System by using an open-source software emulator called DOSbox.

Thisworks forbothVistaand Windows 7 64-bit computers. (You may use theregular Sparks installationfor32-bit Operating Systems, i.e. Windows XP,Vistaand Windows 7 32-bit.)

ISIS Support recommends contacting your in-house IT Staff before proceeding so that they are aware of the need and expected usage of both DOSbox andSparks. Note that ISIS has never recommended runningSparkson a network.

Pleasecontact ISIS Supportwith any questions, concerns, or requests for help regarding this procedure.

NOTE: If you wish to runMedARKS on this computer as well - two programs using DosBox - you will need to do a different style ofinstallation. Please

Install DOSbox:

  1. Go to theofficial DOSbox pageand choose to Download the appropriate version for use on your computer. Todownload the version for Windows, click thisdirect linkto the file.
    NOTE: If you are using IE6, you must visit the homepage and download the file using the Download link and menu.
  2. After downloading, run the DOSbox file and choose where to install DOSbox on your system.Using the default installation choices are fine. A DOSbox icon will appear on your Desktop when complete.
  3. For more information, please visit theDOSbox Wiki. You may also check their manual at

Install SPARKS:

NOTE: If youalready have an installedcopy ofSparkson another computer that you wish to transfer to this one,skip toStep2. Create the ISISDosBox folder, and then use a memory stick to move the existingSparksfolder, including any studbook folders,from the other computer to this location.Skipto Step 4.

1. ContactISISSupport to receive a copy of theSparks Install files.

2. Use Windows Explorer to create a folder called C:\ISISdosbox. Click on the Local Disk (C:) folder and pick File > New > Folder from the menu. Name it ISISdosbox.

Click on the ISISdosbox folder and again pick File > New > Folder to create a subfolder under the ISISdosbox folder. Name itSparks.(If you already have a working copy ofSparkson another computer, use a memory stick to move a copy to this location.)

3. Open theSparks ZIP filethat you received from ISIS Support and Extract all of theSparksprogram files into theSparksfolder you just created.

4. If there are no studbooks folders yet, use Windows Explorer to create a studbook folder under C:\ISISdosbox\Sparks.The name can be up to 8 characters long and should contain no spaces, i.e. LION or PENGUIN orCOBRA. Extract your studbook data files into it from a ZIP file. You may also use a memory stick to move an entirestudbook folder to this location from another computer. You may have multiple studbook folders under the C:\ISISdosbox\Sparks folder.

5. Using Windows Explorer, look in the c:\Program Files (x86)\DOSBox-0.74 folder. Find a file calledDosbox0.74 options.batOpen this file with NotePad. At the very bottom of the file, add these lines. Save the file.[Note that you may need to type sparks16 if installing that version.]

mount c c:\isisdosbox
c:
cd sparks
sparks15
exit

6.Find the DOSbox Icon that was created on your Desktop when you installed the DOSbox software from the download site. Right click on it, pick Properties. On the General tab, replace the name in the box at the top of this window witha name like DosBox Sparks. On the Shortcut tab, click on the Change Icon button, go to the \ISISDosBox\Sparks folder and pick the Sparks.ico file. Pick OK at the bottom of the window to save.

You will have a Sparks icon.

7. Double-click on the icon. DOSbox will first open a window that looks much likeWindows DOS,and thenwill open a second window forSparkson top of the first window. This is normal operation.

You may see your studbook data, if it is already loaded, or you may see something similar to this screen (which is trying to find Chinese leopard data). Press any key to continue if needed.

If you see this message, pick Ignore by typing anI.(It is trying to opena studbook dataset which isn't in this computer.)

If you see a notice about printers, ignoreit (not an actual problem) and press any key to continue.

IfSparksasks you to confirm today'sdate, type a Y to confirm the date and continue.

IfSparksstops and asks for anAccess Code, your Access code is yourISISinstitution code. Check with your registrar, ISIS representative or withISIS.

If you get a warning about"No studbook data for CHLEOP_I found to open..." or any other dataset, press any key to continue.

Ifyou get a warning about "Youmay be running two copies ofSparksor need to change studbooks...", press any key to continue.

You will then see the mainSparksmenu.You may chooseChange Studbooksto load a studbook that is already present under the \ISISdosbox\Sparks folder. If there are no studbooks yet, you may useWindows Explorer to create a studbook folder under c:\ISISdosbox\Sparks. Extract studbook data files from a ZIP file.

Enter data intoSparksas normal. When you are finished with your work, return to theSparksmain menu and type anXto exit.

Exception- Backup:

Sparksworks well inDosBox. However, the one thing that no longer works is System Utilities >Backup becauseSparksis set up as a subfolder. You’ll need to do abackupseparately. There are several good options:

Use Windows Explorer and a memory stick - slide a copy of your studbook folder(s) onto it.

Use Windows Explorer.

  • Go to the studbook folder. Click on Edit > Select All.Right click in the middle of the blue-ness.
  • Pick Send To > Compressed ZIP file and it will create a ZIP file containing of the files in this folder. It willhave a temporary name.
  • Name the file something sensible, like Cheetah 30Jan2011.zip
  • And remember toMOVEthis completed file to a memory stick or CD or DVD, so that whenyour computer crashes, gets stolen etc, you will have a copy of the data.
  • Send a copy of the backup ZIP file , an excellent off-site backup
  • Repeat for the next studbook.

Any other zip/compression utility you happen to own will work as well.

Revised 13 October 2018
*Species360 Organizational name change added on 07/18/2016

It is the mission of Species360 to facilitate international collaboration in the collection and sharingof information on animals and their environments for zoos, aquariums and related organizations.

Offices in Minneapolis· Amsterdam· Bogota · New Delhi· Haifa· Istanbul· Buenos Aires