Question:

After installing the IPDS software (IPDS Client 2005 or WinIPDS), I tried to use the shortcut to the administration GUI - but it didn't work.

Answer:

1) The installation program starting with public release 1.0 allows you to specify the full path for your browser. This is important if you want to use a different browser than Microsoft's Internet Explorer (MSIE), or if you use MSIE placed in a non-standard path, or if your Windows version is in another language than English.

If this describes the situation with your browser, and you didn't do anything about it when you installed IPDS Client 2005, install the program again. Stop the Windows Service and then just run the install program - you don't need to uninstall first. This time, use the opportunity to enter the correct browser name and path.

2) If you still have problems using the short cut to go directly to the Administration GUI, make sure that the properties for the shortcut include port 8181, because that is the port that will be written to the registration database.

If you want to use a different port than 8181, and didn't specify this during your installation, you must install the program again. Stop the Windows Service and then just run the install program - you don't need to uninstall first. This time, use the opportunity to change the port from 8181 to whatever works for you. This value will be written to the registration database and to the shortcut properties.

3) If you have received the message

"This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Folder Options control panel"

then you can try Add or Remove Programs" > "Set Program Access and Defaults" to make sure that Windows associates the browser you want used.

Unfortunately, the Windows dialog is unclear, because it doesn't tell you what the "current Web browser" is! So you may need to use a bit of trial-and-error until you can get Windows to reliably use a browser other than Internet Explorer.