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How can I setup GeneMarker so that all of our users have the same settings (user management, panels, size standards, templates, etc)?

Chris Trahan
Updated

It is possible to synchronize the basic GeneMarker preferences and settings across multiple users and/or computers by moving certain files to network locations and other files to the individual workstations.  

If there will be multiple Windows users running the software on a given computer, a few files will need to be copied into each Windows user's folder, as well.  

Below are step-by-step instructions for this synchronization process.  We have listed the default locations of the files below.  You can copy the paths and paste them into Windows File Explorer.  However, if you see Version#, please change that to the version of the software you are using.

On the computer workstation that has been used for validation testing:

  1. Log into Windows as the user with the validated settings matching the lab's SOP.
  2. Open GeneMarker and go to View and select Preferences.
  3. Go to the Others tab and uncheck boxes "Use Default Folder of _____" for Panel Path, SizeStd Path, and Template Path. 
  4. Replace file paths with accessible network folder locations; a folder specified for each type (all Windows users must have Read, Write, and Modify abilities for these files and folders).   
  5. Click OK to save and close software to finalize changes.
     
  6. Locate the necessary files and copy them:
    1. General settings file (GeneMarker.ini) and Positive Control file (PositiveControls.ini, which will only be present if your lab has added a positive control profile).
      • The default location is %appdata%\SoftGenetics\GeneMarker
    2. Panel & Size Standard (SizeStd) folders, FileNameGroup.ini (These items only appear here if they have been created or modified in the software).

      • The default location: %localappdata%\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86)\SoftGenetics\GeneMarker\Version#

    3. User Management Database (GeneMarker.db), Relationship Testing Database (GeneDB.db), Run Wizard Templates (DataProcOptions.ini and ExpTemplates.ini), Print Templates (PrintTemplates.ini), Comments Template (CommentsTemplate.ini), CODIS export settings (codis.ini).

      • The default location is C:\Program Files (x86)\SoftGenetics\GeneMarker\Version# 

On the other computer workstations:

  1. The Panel folder, Size Standard (SizeStd) folder, and Run Wizard Template files (ExpTemplates.ini and DataProcOptions.ini) that were just copied off of the validation computer, will be pasted in the network locations you initially defined above in the Preferences.  This step will only need to be performed once.
  2. The other settings files will need to be pasted into their appropriate locations on each individual computer workstation to replace any default files present there:
    1. The User Management Database (GeneMarker.db), Relationship Testing Database (GeneDB.db), Print Templates (PrintTemplates.ini), Comments Template (CommentsTemplate.ini), and CODIS export settings (codis.ini).
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\SoftGenetics\GeneMarker\Version# 
    2. The general settings file (GeneMarker.ini) and Positive Control file (PositiveControls.ini) will need to be saved in the location below for each Windows user at each workstation.
      • %appdata%\SoftGenetics\GeneMarker
    3. The FileNameGroup.ini and any other .ini files will need to be saved in the location below for each Windows user at each workstation.
      • %localappdata%\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86)\SoftGenetics\ChimerMarker\Version#

  3. To enable User Management, the GeneMarker administrator will have to open the software, go to Help -> User Management, then select Change User in order to log in, and then select the option to Run User Protection.  This step will need to be performed for each Windows user at each workstation.

     

  4. Close and reopen the software before running some data to confirm that the software functions as expected.

    If there are any issues or questions, reach out to SoftGenetics Technical Support at tech_support@softgenetics.com for assistance. 


 
 

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