Some questions from a newbie

[tbote]

Hi

I want to help a friend with his Casablancas, he has two models but I'm going to start with a 4000, both are PAL versions (really I don't know if there is NTSC/PAL or is the same product with different settings for video output). Apparently the 4000 works ok but when he wants to make a disc he tells me that after the render the machine reboots, allways, so he can not make any disc. Some guy tells him that it's because the hard disk is full, but I suppose that if it's truth the machine should show a message with that, not a reboot, isn't it?

I've never see a Casablanca but I have a lot of experience with hardware&computers, so I'll try to help him, but I have some questions:

Is there any log files or diagnostic procedure to see why the machine reboots?
How can I see the software versions, hard disk space...?
I've seen that there is software updates (NTSC), can I update (if needed) the Casablanca with that soft? I ask because we have a european (PAL) version and I don't know if there is different software. Also, are there upgrades (no data loss) or clean install?
Can I download the upgrades? Are free upgrades or we need some kind of service/pay for them?

Kind Regards

[Martyn]

First it would be useful to know where you are, Europe or USA? The machines are basically the same but run on different operating systems PAL or NTSC. Also of course the voltage could be different.

As to the problem it could simply be a matter of deleting and re-installing Arabesk, or there could be a problem with video clips, transitions or audio clips in the project.

To check hard drive space, from the main menu go to Project Settings and there you will find used capacity.

To check the Operating Systen version from the Main menu go to System Settings and you will see the version bottom left of the screen.

To check any other software installed from the main menu go to System Settings > Install Product. Here you will find a list of Active software.

Software upgrades are available from the relevant distributor for your country either on CD or in some cases a download. Upgrades within a software version are free. ie V3.0 to V3.2. Upgrades from one version to another are chargeable ie V2 to V3.

If you follow this link you can find the distributor for your area http://www.macrosystem.de/e/dealers.html

[tbote]

First it would be useful to know where you are, Europe or USA? The machines are basically the same but run on different operating systems PAL or NTSC. Also of course the voltage could be different.

Europe, it's a PAL version, a S4100 model.

As to the problem it could simply be a matter of deleting and re-installing Arabesk, or there could be a problem with video clips, transitions or audio clips in the project.

I've read some posts about that, but really don't know how to diagnose it. Anyway, if I reinstall Arabesk, does it erase the content of the disk? If yes, can I backup in anyway (external HD) all the data and after reinstalling Arabesk restore it?

To check hard drive space, from the main menu go to Project Settings and there you will find used capacity.

It has 1Tb of harddisk and more than 500Gb of free space so I suppose that there is no problems there.

To check the Operating Systen version from the Main menu go to System Settings and you will see the version bottom left of the screen.

To check any other software installed from the main menu go to System Settings > Install Product. Here you will find a list of Active software.

Software upgrades are available from the relevant distributor for your country either on CD or in some cases a download. Upgrades within a software version are free. ie V3.0 to V3.2. Upgrades from one version to another are chargeable ie V2 to V3.

If you follow this link you can find the distributor for your area http://www.macrosystem.de/e/dealers.html

I'm going to try to contact with macrosystem.de because my friend does not have any kind of DVD to restore/reinstall Arabesk.

Thanks A LOT for your help, if you have any other suggestion would be welcome

[Martyn]

To check Arabesk authoring/burning, add a short video clip (maybe 5 or 10 mins) to a new project and try making a DVD of it as it is.
If you delete and re-install Arabesk it will not affect the project.
The machines should have with them two disks. One is a boot disk for the operating system (Bogart 2 or 3). The second is the Add-on software CD which contains all available software including Arabesk.

Martyn
Dalco uk

[tbote]

To check Arabesk authoring/burning, add a short video clip (maybe 5 or 10 mins) to a new project and try making a DVD of it as it is.
If you delete and re-install Arabesk it will not affect the project.
The machines should have with them two disks. One is a boot disk for the operating system (Bogart 2 or 3). The second is the Add-on software CD which contains all available software including Arabesk.

Martyn
Dalco uk

The local reseller does not work so good and my friend does not get any CD with the Casablanca.

Another question about the software, I can see a lot of soft for download in Macrosystem.us but still don't know if I can install all and run or if it must be activated in some way, buying a license... I want update the s4100 to the latest so I think that I need Bogart SE 3.2e & DVD Arabesk 4.11, but don't know if Deluxe Titler 3D, Magic Lights, Caladan... are also for the S4100 and can be installed as is.

The other model that he has is a Solitaire, but I think that the S4100 is better, isn't it?

Kind regards

[Martyn]

As you are in Europe I recommend that you look at the German site. Here is a link to the software page. http://www.macrosystem.de/e/expansions.html If you click on the software product title it takes you to an information page. At the bottom of the page it tells you which system/version is required. Once you have the software CD you can install most of the software in "demo" format. This allows you to "try before you buy" (with limitations). If you then decide to buy, you need to purchase the license release code from your dealer.

Bogart SE 3.2e & DVD Arabesk 4.11 are the latest versions of operating system and DVD authoring software in Europe. Almost all software is now compatible with Bogart and some will work only with Bogart.

Solitaire was one of the top end machines in the Casablanca II series. However, the S machines are more powerful fully HD compatible and the Bogart system is more flexible. You cannot use solid state camcorders with Series II Casablanca.

Martyn
Dalco uk