Windows XP System Configuration

LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS FOR INBOUND & OUTBOUND PARCELS
Neopost Shipping & Accounting Software Products
Windows XP System Configuration
Document Version 1.1
April 1, 2009
© 2009 Neopost USA. All rights reserved
No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without the express permission
of an authorized representative of Neopost USA. This manual and all information contained therein, is confidential and
may only be disclosed as necessary to support customer use of the equipment.
Limitations of this Manual
The confidential information provided in this manual is intended to support customer efforts to satisfactorily utilize the
equipment described herein. All recommendations in this guide are based on current industry practices, and may be
superseded as circumstances change. It is the ongoing and sole responsibility of the individual customer organization to
provide necessary internal support for the equipment.
Product Engineering Publication
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Table of Contents
1 Overview .........................................................................................................................3
1.1 Previous Computer Systems...........................................................................................3
1.2 Additional Components and Features.............................................................................3
1.3 Purged Components and Features .................................................................................3
2 Required System Configuration ......................................................................................5
2.1 Add and Configure User Accounts..................................................................................5
2.2 Setup Administrator Permission for User Accounts ........................................................7
2.3 Service Logon for User Accounts..................................................................................10
3 Optional System Configuration .....................................................................................12
3.1 Change the Way Users Log On and Off .......................................................................12
3.2 Auto Logon to User Accounts .......................................................................................12
3.3 Desktop Icons ...............................................................................................................14
3.4 Add Shortcut to Services from Quick Launch ...............................................................14
3.5 Show Extension for File Types......................................................................................15
3.6 View Security Tab for Folder and File Properties..........................................................16
3.7 Disable the Windows Firewall .......................................................................................17
4 Recovery Disc ...............................................................................................................18
5 Computer System Setup Checklist ...............................................................................19
Revision History ............................................................................................................20
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1 Overview
Neopost USA welcomes the release of the new Microsoft® Windows XP computer
system to ensure the specifications meet the demands of the following Shipping &
Accounting software products: FriendShip Navigator, NeoTrak 5 and Neopost MAS.
1.1 Previous Computer Systems
The new Microsoft® Windows XP systems will be shipped when an order or RMA is
placed for either of these systems.
System Model Memphis Part Number Operating System
WINXP-PC 7850-P3000M Microsoft® Windows XP
SYSTEM CPU 7800-P2800M Microsoft® Windows 2000 Professional
EXPRESS PC 7825-C2000M Microsoft® Windows 2000 Professional
Note: Systems with Microsoft® Windows 2000 Professional will no longer be available for RMA
purposes; therefore FriendShip systems cannot be replaced with Microsoft® Windows 2000
Professional systems.
1.2 Additional Components and Features
The following table demonstrates new media that has been added to the systems for operational purposes.
Recovery CD
Media
Reason
A bootable recovery disc is included with each system sold,
allowing easy recovery of the Operating System in lieu of
having to manually format the hard drive and install all
required motherboard and other miscellaneous drivers.
1.3 Purged Components and Features
The following table demonstrates components and software that have been purged, or removed, from the
systems due to deficient use.
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Component / Software
Modem
Symantec pcAnywhere
McAfee Antivirus
Floppy Drive
Reason
The modem is only used with the pcAnywhere diagnostics
and USPS Confirmation (FriendShip). Navigator supports an
Internet connection for all carriers.
pcAnywhere is used very infrequently and no justification can
be provided for including this software on future systems.
McAfee Antivirus is commonly removed from the system prior
to installing Data System products. In addition, the customer
should be responsible for providing their own corporate
antivirus software
Any files on a floppy disk can be copied to a flash drive if
necessary.
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2 Required System Configuration
Prior to installing any Neopost Data System product, the new Microsoft® Windows XP (model# NSK-1380)
system must be configured appropriately with the proper users and access rights that are demanded by the
products.
2.1 Add and Configure User Accounts
Two user accounts (NEOPOST and FEDEXUSER) must be added and configured with Administrative
privileges for any Neopost Data Systems product.
1. Select Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management.
2. Expand Local Users and Groups.
3. Right-click Users and select "New User...".
4. Type in NEOPOST (All CAPS) for the User name, Full Name,
Description, Password and Confirm Password.
5. Uncheck the option for “User must change password at next
logon”.
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6. Check the following options: “User cannot change password” and “Password never expires”.
7. Select "Create".
8. Type in FEDEXUSER (All CAPS) for the User name, Full Name, Description, Password and Confirm
Password.
9. Uncheck the option for “User must change password at next logon”.
10. Check the following options: “User cannot change password” and
“Password never expires”.
11. Select "Create".
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2.2 Setup Administrator Permission for User Accounts
The NEOPOST and FEDEXUSER user accounts should be configured with Administrator permissions for
the installation of software, along with having adequate permission to the Windows Operating System.
1. Double-click on the new NEOPOST user account from the list.
2. Select the “Member Of” tab.
3. By default, the NEOPOST user account is only assigned User permission.
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4. To add Administrator rights to the user account, select "Add...".
5. In the Enter the object names to select box, type administrators.
6. Select "Check Names".
7. Upon validation of the user accounts, the user names should be displayed with the stationary UNC of
COMPUTER NAME\PERMISSION (Example: STATION-1\Administator).
8. Select "OK".
9. Select "OK" to close the NEOPOST user properties.
10. Double-click on the new FEDEXUSER user account from the list.
11. Select the “Member Of” tab.
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12. By default, the FEDEXUSER user account is only assigned User permission.
13. To add Administrator rights to the user account, select "Add...".
14. In the Enter the object names to select box, type administrators.
15. Select "Check Names".
16. Upon validation of the user accounts, the user names should be displayed with the stationary UNC of
COMPUTER NAME\PERMISSION (Example: STATION-1\Administator).
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17. Select "OK".
18. Select "OK" to close the FEDEXUSER user properties.
2.3 Service Logon for User Accounts
Windows Services are long-running executables that perform specific functions and are designed not to
require user intervention. In many instances, these Windows Services must be configured with the user
accounts available on the Operating System. In order for the user accounts to specifically run a service
without conflict, they must be configured to logon as a Service within the Local Security Policy.
1. Select Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools.
2. Double-click Local Security Policy.
3. Under Security Settings, expand Local Policies.
4. Double-click on User Rights Assignment.
5. Locate and double-click the "Log on as a service" option.
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6. Select "Add Users or Group...".
7. Under "Enter the object names to select", type in NEOPOST; FEDEXUSER (including the
semicolon)
8. Select "Check Names".
9. Upon validation of the user accounts, the user names should be displayed with the stationary UNC of
COMPUTER NAME\USER NAME (Example: STATION-1\NEOPOST).
10. Select "OK". For the Log On As Service properties, select "Apply" and then "OK".
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3 Optional System Configuration
Prior to installing any Neopost Data System product, the new Microsoft® Windows XP (model# NSK-1380)
system can be configured with the following optional features to provide familiarity with our previous
computer systems.
3.1 Change the Way Users Log On and Off
If a user requests that Microsoft® Windows prompt for the standard logon, as opposed to using the newer
Welcome screen, perform the following steps to enable the standard logon menu.
1. Select Start > Settings > Control Panel > User Accounts.
2. Select "Change the way users log on or off".
3. Uncheck the "Use the Welcome screen" and "Use Fast User Switching" options.
4. Select "Apply Options".
5. Close the User Accounts pane.
3.2 Auto Logon to User Accounts
Neopost systems were previously configured to automatically logon to the NEOPOST account. If a user
requests a quicker way to logon to their system, the following steps can be performed to automatically logon
the user when either the computer is started or rebooted.
1. Select Start > Run.
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2. Type control userpasswords2 into the Open field.
3. Select "OK" or press ENTER on the keyboard.
4. Highlight the user account that is desired to be used for Auto Logon.
5. Uncheck the option for "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer".
6. Select "Apply".
7. Type the password and confirm the same password in the designated fields.
8. Select "OK".
9. Select "OK" to exit.
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3.3 Desktop Icons
In many instances, a user may request that the following icons be readily available on their Desktop: My
Computer, My Network Places and My Documents. Perform the following instructions to add the listed icons
to the Desktop.
1. Right-click Start from the Desktop.
2. Select "Properties".
3. Under the Start Menu tab, select the radio button for "Classic Start Menu".
4. Select "Apply" and then "OK".
5. The My Computer, My Network Places and My Documents icons should now be posted on the user’s
Desktop:
3.4 Add Shortcut to Services from Quick Launch
On previous Neopost system, a shortcut to the Windows Services was available on the Taskbar’s Quick
Launch menu. The following instructions will allow a user to post the shortcut to the Quick Launch menu for
quick access to the Windows Services.
First, the Quick Launch menu needs to be enabled on the Taskbar if it has not been already.
1. Right-click Start from the Desktop.
2. Select "Properties".
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3. Under the Taskbar tab, select the checkbox for "Show Quick Launch".
4. Select "Apply" and then "OK".
Next, perform the following steps to “drag” the Services shortcut to the Quick Launch menu.
1. Select Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools.
2. Highlight the Services icon.
3. Drag the Service icon into the Quick Launch area on the Taskbar.
4. Once the desired area has been select, release the mouse button to drop the Windows Services
shortcut into the Quick Launch area.
3.5 Show Extension for File Types
Microsoft® Windows, by default, disables the ability to view extensions for file names. However, in some
instances, a user may need to modify the file extension. The following steps will enable the ability to view the
extension for all file types.
1. Select Start > Settings > Control Panel > Folder Options.
2. Select the "View" tab.
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3. Locate and uncheck the option for "Hide extensions for known file types".
4. Select "Apply", and then "OK".
3.6 View Security Tab for Folder and File Properties
Microsoft® Windows, by default, disables the ability to view, or access, the Security tab within the Properties
for files and folders. However, in some instances, a user may need to modify the Security settings to restrict
or grant user rights to a designated file or folder. The following steps will enable the ability to add the view for
the Security tab with all the files and folder Properties.
1. Select Start > Settings > Control Panel > Folder Options.
2. Select the "View" tab.
3. Locate and uncheck the option for "Use simple file
sharing [Recommended]".
4. Select "Apply", and then "OK".
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3.7 Disable the Windows Firewall
In order for the users to access various Neopost Data System components, security devices and application
ports, the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) will need to be disabled on the computer. If this is not possible,
the customers IT department must grant all users access to the application or security device.
1. Select Start > Settings > Control Panel.
2. Double-click on the Windows Firewall icon.
3. Select “Off {not recommended}” and then “OK” to disable the Windows Firewall.
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4 Recovery Disc
A recovery disc is a general term for media containing a backup of the original factory condition. Each new
Microsoft® Windows XP (model# NSK-1380) system sold will include a recovery disc designed based on the
specifications of the installed system.
The purpose of the recovery disc is to allow a technician to easily recovery the Operating System in lieu of
having to manually format the hard drive and install all required motherboard and other miscellaneous
drivers.
Secure the Recovery CD safely, along with other contents, at the customer’s site for potential future
use. Not all Recovery Discs can be used on all systems if a hardware change is made.
Warning: This action will reformat the hard drive and all stored
data will be lost and unrecoverable.
1. To perform a recovery on a system, insert the Recovery Disc into the
DVD-ROM.
2. Boot the system to the DVD-ROM.
Note: This may require modifying the boot sequence in the BIOS.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform the recovery.
4. The recovery program will reformat the hard drive and then begin copying Operating System and
driver files.
Note: This process can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes to complete.
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5 Computer System Setup Checklist
The following checklist provides the ability to distinguish required and optional feature, in addition to
identifying if the task is complete or simply not needed to perform the operations demanding by the Neopost
Data Systems Product.
Required Optional Complete Not Desired
Add and Configure User Accounts
Setup Administrator Permission for
User Accounts
Service Logon for User Accounts
Change the Way Users Log On and
Off
Auto Logon to User Accounts
Desktop Icons
Add Shortcut to Services from
Quick Launch
Show Extension for File Types
View Security Tab for Folder and
File Properties
Disable the Windows Firewall
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Revision History
Version Date Author Description
1.0 November 6, 2008 Product Engineering Document created.
1.1 April 1, 2009 Michael O’Rourke Added Recovery CD information. Updated overview.
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