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A.5 SOFTWARE, MAINTENANCE AND UPDATES
1. Click the Shut Down icon on the Home Page of the Startup Screen, and click the Administrator Mode link at right to exit the TriCaster environment.
2. In the Administrator Mode screen, click the Defragment Hard Drive link (under the System Utilities heading) and follow directions provided (see the heading System Utilities in Section 5.2.3).
This process can take considerable time, so it’s best not to commence unless time (before a production) permits.
A.5.2 RESOLVE SERIOUS INSTABILITY OR DROPPED FRAMES?
If the system becomes seriously unstable or is dropping frames with ‘known compatible’ video files (after the warm-up period), consider a full System Restore (see item A.5.7).
1. Connect TriCaster to a valid Internet connection
2. Click the Shut Down icon on the Home Page of the Startup Screen.
3. Click the Administrator Mode link at right to exit the TriCaster environment.
4. In the Administrator Mode screen, click Update TriCaster under the System Utilities heading, and follow directions provided (see the heading System Utilities in Section 5.2.3).
Note: Updates sometimes require changes to TriCaster configuration files. In such cases, the original (pre-update) files are automatically stored in a directory named “Configuration (Backup)” lcated at C:\TriCaster\Configuration, to avoid inintended loss of custom settings. At times you might decide to restore one of these in place of the newer configuration file, to retain use of certain settings (or perhaps, macros). An advanced user might opt to cut and paste relevant lines from the older file into the new one (we suggesting backing up the newer file in this case, too, out of an abundance of caution).
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION:
Q: Can I backup my TriCaster configuration files before a software upgrade?
A: Backups of TriCaster’s configuration files are automatically stored when the software is updated. The backed up files can be located inside the folder at C:\TriCaster\Configuration\Configuration (Backup).
A.5.4 UPDATE THE FLASH® AND/OR WINDOWS MEDIA ENCODER®?
TriCaster is not designed to be user-upgradable. For certain features to work correctly, specific versions of third-party utilities must be present. These applications are upgraded in timely fashion in official TriCaster updates.
It is quite likely that any attempt to update these manually will have unintended results, and you are strongly cautioned against doing so (unless otherwise directed by Customer Support).
A.5.5 INSTALL VIRUS PROTECTION?
Virus and malware protection applications can dramatically impact system performance. In general, once additional software or services are enabled on TriCaster, real-time performance cannot be guaranteed.
In a perfect world, we'd love to recommend that you do not install virus and/or malware protection software on TriCaster. Certainly you should always take sensible precautions to avoid introducing infected files into TriCaster by rigorously virus-checking media you plan to connect or import beforehand – ideally, do so on a laptop or other system before connecting to TriCaster.
Realistically though, in some settings you may feel the need for protection outweighs the risk. If you really feel you must install virus protection, switch all of its ‘active scanning’ operations off so that nothing can occur in the background while TriCaster’s Live Desktop is running.
Anything that provides full-time protection will dramatically reduce memory and disk speed on your system, so you should disable those features. Then, only when you need to do so (perhaps on a daily or weekly schedule), perform a manual scan. Never let scanning continue into a live switching event, and do not assume that you can now omit pre-checking files and external media for nasty surprises.
Hint: In the unfortunate event that malware ever does evade your defensive measures, you can always use TriCaster’s Restore TriCaster function to completely rehabilitate your system.)
A.5.6 INSTALL MY FAVORITE SOFTWARE (OR CODEC)?
TriCaster is not a ‘general purpose’ computer. The installed software suite is finely tuned to provide reliable performance and amazing features. Anything you install apart from official TriCaster updates places these important goals at risk. Doing so is strongly discouraged.
Regarding codecs, TriCaster supports the vast majority of popular image, audio and video formats. That said, hardly a day passes without another new one appearing on the scene. If a file you would like to use does not play back well (or at all), consider converting it to a friendlier format.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION:
Q: Can I install the MainConcept AAC Encoder - Plug-In for Adobe® Flash® Media Live Encoder?
A: This is not required.
A.5.7 CREATE A ‘USER BACKUP’ DRIVE
The Backup and Restore system permits you to create a bootable clone of TriCaster’s system drive on another (same size) hard drive inserted into one of the removable drive bays or connected externally for this purpose.
The clone operation includes:
The hidden, factory-prepared Restore partition
The complete C partition (uncompressed)
Afterward, the backup drive can be removed and stored, to be used later if necessary to i) restore the internal drive should, or ii) in the case of a catastrophic drive failure, to be connected internally to completely replace the original drive.
Note: Since opening TriCaster’s case is a breach of warranty, please call Customer Service to obtain direction before proceeding with an internal drive replacement.
The actual creation process for the backup is discussed in the next section.
A.5.8 RESTORE TRICASTER SOFTWARE
We firmly expect you will never need it, but isn’t it good to know that comprehensive TriCaster Restore features are available in the event of an
unforeseen problem? You can use one of two methods to access TriCaster’s Restore
features, depending on your situation.
To restore your TriCaster system software after the system launches normally:
1. Click the Shut Down icon on the Home Page of the Startup Screen.
2. Click the Administrator Mode link at right to exit the TriCaster environment.
3. In the Administrator Mode screen, select the link labeled Backup or Restore System.
4. Select the Restore Factory Defaults bootup option.
If TriCaster should ever fail to boot up properly, you may need to try a different approach to restore your TriCaster system software, as follows:
1. Select the menu item labeled Restore Factory Defaults from the black boot screen that appears shortly after powering TriCaster up. (If this screen does not automatically appear, reboot and press F8 a few times in quick succession, say once per second, immediately after powering up.)
Either method described above will ultimately present you with powerful system backup and restore tools. The management screen initially presents you with 3 options as follows:
Restore System Partition to Factory Defaults: overwrites the C partition (only) on the existing system drive from the disk image in its local Restore partition.
Note: Following a Reset to Factory Defaults operation, the Windows® system software must be re-activated. To do this, you will need the operating system serial number, which you will find on a sticker affixed to the exterior of your TriCaster.
This procedure restores your system drive (“C:”) to its ‘as-shipped’ state. The "D:" drive, which holds content and sessions won't be modified. However any TriCaster software updates (possibly including optional TriCaster expansion packs) will be overwritten – so use this function only when necessary. When you do restore, remember to update the TriCaster software afterward.
Create User Backup Drive: create a bootable clone of the entire system drive (as it exists at the time) on either an external HDD or a drive mounted in a removable hard drive bay.
The clone operation includes:
o The existing (factory-prepared) Restore partition
o The complete C partition
In cases of catastrophic drive failure requiring drive replacement, a service technician can simply connect the User Backup ‘clone’ drive in place of the original internal system drive and you’ll be back in production (prudence would call for creating a new User Backup drive as the first order of business.
Restore System Partition from User Backup Drive: overwrites the C partition (only) on the existing system drive with the C partition on the external user backup drive. This allows you to insert a User Backup drive into a removable drive bay (or otherwise connect it), and regain a functional system partition as stored on the clone drive.
Note: This feature it is intended to allow a restore operation of the system drive that the clone was prepared on. It is not intended to allow restoration from a ‘foreign’ TriCaster. Using the ‘Restore System Partition from User Backup Drive’ in the latter manner will almost certainly cause multiple problems.
In a dire emergency, however (such as if a system drive fails when no User Backup from the same unit has been prepared) a User Backup created on a similar model TriCaster can be helpful, as follows:
- Install the ‘foreign’ User Backup drive to replace the defunct system drive.
- Power up, and – at the boot selection screen – select ‘Manage TriCaster’.
- Choose ‘Restore System Partition to Factory Defaults’, and follow prompts.
It will be necessary to re-activate Windows, re-enter the registration unlock code, and possibly update the TriCaster software after the restoration process in this case.Be aware that the approach above is not encouraged, since minor hardware differences between the two TriCasters involved may well result in issues in the resulting Windows installation. As well, the new system drive will no longer have a factory restore partition. Still, it might be better than nothing in a crisis.