How to prepare a SoftXpand demo?

In order to prepare a SoftXpand demo follow the steps below:

The initial preparation step is to choose and assemble the right hardware.

This guide is intended for a four to six SoftXpand workstation cluster, additional information regarding the hardware aspect is described in greater detail in the Hardware related information section later in this guide.

1. Install Windows XP Professional on your machine.
   For detailed step by step guide see this link "How to install Windows XP Pro for SoftXpand".
   Install Windows XP Pro while one video card only is connected.
   The additional video cards will be connected in the next step.
2. Connect the additional video cards to the motherboard.
   Connect them one at a time.
   Define in the BIOS what port will be the primary monitor output.
   In some of the BIOS the definition will distinguish between onboard and PCI.
   In other BIOS it will distinguish between PCI, PCI-E, and AGP.
3. Install the drivers of the hardware. Start with the chipset driver, then the video cards, then all of the others. Make sure you are using the most updated drivers from the manufacturer's website.
4. Update your Windows XP Professional from www.windowsupdate.com with all of the latest updates: Windows XP Professional service pack 3 and all critical and optional updates.
5. Connect all additional peripheral devices that will be used by the SoftXpand host computer: USB hubs, USB extender cables, monitors, USB sound devices, keyboards and mice.
   Make sure all devices are installed and functioning properly on Windows.
   Restart the PC and double check all devices are working properly.
   Important note: for keyboards and mice – do not install any software that may come along with them install only their drivers.
   In most cases Windows will recognize and install the drivers automatically and will only request to restart in order to finalize the driver installation.
6. Create the local users accounts and assign them into the desired user group on the local machine.
   If you intend to use the SoftXpand host as a part of a domain, add the computer to the domain following this step. For local users: give them passwords, and check the "password never expires" checkbox.
   Download and install the User Profile Hive Clean up service from:
   http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1B286E6D-8912-4E18-B570-42470E2F3582&displaylang=en.
7. Install all the applications that are needed on the host PC.
   You might want to select the "install the application for all users" checkbox, if it appears on a given application, making it accessible to all users.
8. Log on and off one time with every user that will be using the SoftXpand host.
   This is done in order for each users profile to be built.
   Set up each user's desktop with his application shortcuts, appearance and style.
9. Install SoftXpand according to the SoftXpand user manual.  
   How to download SoftXpand from MiniFrame website.
   Initial start of SoftXpand after installation requires restarting your computer. Do so.
10. Activate SoftXpand online or offline. (Trial version does not require activation).
11. Start SoftXpand.
12. Assign a keyboard and mouse for each workstation.
13. Log on the each workstation and assign a sound device for each workstation.
14. Once you set up the system, you might want to exit to windows, and setup the auto start or auto login features, using the Admin Tools in the SoftXpand start menu.
    Refer to this link for common SoftXpand actions.

Hardware related information

Choosing hardware for the SoftXpand host depends on performance capabilities, feature limitations, logistic considerations and cost effectiveness. As stated earlier, the initial preparation step is to choose and assemble the right hardware for the demo.

• The hardware for the demo should be chosen from the MiniFrame certified hardware list: SoftXpand Certified Hardware Table.
• A list of tested hardware configurations can be found here:
  http://www.miniframe.com/knowledge-base/category/hardware.html.
• For any other configuration (which is not listed on the certified list), consult with the MiniFrame support team at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Below is an example of a hardware configuration for a 4- 6* workstation demo:

Note: For a 4 workstation setup only 2 video cards are required, the additional video card is for 6 workstation host setup.

Buying & Distributing Hardware for the SoftXpand Host

The hardware you choose depends on what is available to you at your local market.

In case you are unable to find a specific component or more the MiniFrame support team has gathered an example of hardware components that could be found on an international online retail website www.ipmart.com [**].

Orders from this website can be shipped to any country in the world. You may try to carry out a retail or wholesale agreement with them in order to be able to retain the hardware that you require.

If you should want to distribute hardware through the website, they do have a distributor program you can sign up for.

Below is an example of standard equipment good for building a SoftXpand host available at the aforementioned website. Keep in mind that this is not a specific configuration.

[**] Any business relationship that is obtained between you and this website is your own private business. MiniFrame does not have any business agreement with www.ipmart.com, or any other relationship at all. The link offered here to this website is solely for the comfort of MiniFrame resellers and for success of the demo presentation.