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Download and Install

Download the AB Tutor  install file (abtcsetup6.msi) from www.abconsulting.com.  This single install file is used to install both the client and the tutor programs. The trial version that is available for download is a fully working but time-limited copy of the program.  If you decide to purchase AB Tutor, you will not need to de-install and re-install the software. You will simply need to activate the trial version with an activation code.

If you already have an account with AB Consulting, you can log into your account in the licence management system to download the most up-to-date file for the software version you have purchased. Just look for the ‘Download’ button.

There are four steps you need to run through to get AB Tutor Control up and running:

1.  Start by installing the tutor program
2.  Next, install the client program
3.  Configure your setup to allow AB Tutor to work
4.  Activate the tutor (not client) software

1. Install the tutor program

1. Check that you have got Adminstrator rights on the computer on which you want to install the tutor program.  Before you start, we recommend you close down all running software.

2. Locate the AB Tutor Control installation program file (abtcsetup.msi) you downloaded previously.  Double-click it to start installation.

3. When you get to the Choose Setup Type screen (see below), select only 'AB Tutor Control'. 

If you wish a remote administrator to be able to connect to, control and monitor the tutor machine, select 'Both'.

4.  The next window that opens is the 'Connection Password' window.




 We cannot stress enough how important it is to set connection passwords and strongly recommend that you do so as soon as possible.  Without setting a connection password, it would be possible for an unauthorised copy of ABTutor to gain access to your clients.  

Click on Next to continue.

6.  You will be asked if you want to install the AB Mirror Driver.  By default this is set to 'No' as it will prompt for a response during 'silent' installations.

The ABC Mirror Driver is only installed on Windows NT based machines and will improve screen update performance of AB Tutor.  You do not, however, have to install this driver.  We are in the process of obtaining Windows Logo testing, but this is a slow process. If you are concerned about this, simply click on 'Stop Installation ' - this will halt the installation of the ABC Mirror Driver, but not of the AB Tutor program. 

7.  Once you have clicked on 'Finish' in the Setup Complete screen, your installation of the AB Tutor will be complete - you may need to re-start Windows. 


Now you need to install the AB Client program on all the client machines:

2. Installing the Client Program

1.  You will also need Administrator rights to install the student/client program.

2. Log into each student workstation in turn.  Go through exactly the same steps as above except:

3. When you get to the Choose Setup Type screen, be sure to select AB Client Only.

4. Type in the same connection password as you typed into the tutor program.  You MUST set this the same otherwise you will not be able to connect the clients to the tutor program.

You will not see any icons to indicate that the AB Client  program has been installed.  The client runs silently in the background and starts automatically when the machine is turned on and Windows Starts up.  In version 6, you have the option to prevent the software being stopped and/or de-installed. 

3. Configuring your machines to work with AB Tutor

AB Tutor communicates with its clients over port 5151 - and port 5152 if you install both the tutor and the client on the same computer.  This kind of communication will normally be blocked by default by your firewalls and routers and switches. Additionally, to be able to communicate with the remote licence management system, the AB Tutor  program needs free access to the Internet.   In order to allow AB Tutor to work, please configure your machines as below:

1.  Ensure that your firewall software (including Windows XP Firewall) allows both the Tutor program (ABControl.exe) and the Client programs (ABClient.exe) to communicate with other computers in your network over ports 5151/5152. 

2.  Ensure that your firewall software  (including Windows XP Firewall) allows the Tutor program (ABControl.exe) to communicate with www.abtutorcontrol.com over the Internet. It requires full access not just outbound access. 

3.  If your tutor machines connect to the Internet via a Proxy Server, you will need to configure AB Tutor to run through it.  See the Related Question below, "How do I configure AB Tutor to run through a Proxy Server" for details on how to do this.

4.  Ensure that your routers and/or network switches do not block ports 5151/5152 and allow AB Tutor Control full access to the Internet.

You will need to refer to your firewall and network routers/switch documentation for instructions on how to open up ports 5151 & 5152 and allow AB Tutor Control full access to the Internet. 


4. Activating your software

Once you have purchased and installed the software, you will need to activate it (only for the Tutor program - you do not need to activate the client software).

1. Launch the AB Tutor program on the tutor machine.

2. Go to Help, Licence Activation.

3.  Insert your unique account serial number into the appropriate dialog box. (Your account serial number will have been emailed to you, and can always be found under the website field in your account in the Licence Management System).  If you wish to give your installation a 'friendly' name instead of the computer name which is added by default, enter this in the appropriate field.  Please note, however, that each installation must have a different 'friendly' name.  Click on 'Activate' . 

If you have installed and configured your software, firewalls, proxies and routers properly, and have allowed AB Tutor access to the Internet, then your software should register with the licence management system and you should be able to start connecting to your clients.