Operational Amplifiers Product Selector Guide Software Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Home->Amplifiers

Amplifiers Product Selector Guide Software FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

 I just downloaded the latest database update, and now some of the items under the "Properties" tab are not functioning correctly.
-OR-
I just downloaded the latest database and now some simple searches immediately return no results.

There has been a major change in the database format between v110 and v120. V120 databases are not backwards compatible with v110. You probably have the old v110 software and downloaded the newer v120 database. Please download and install the latest version. V110 can be identified by the lack of a "Search by Part Number" button in the toolbar, or, by the revision number located in the Help->About menu.

 Why isn't the desktop icon installed under Windows 2000? (or occasionally under NT4)

This problem should be resolved now. It had to do with the requirement for quotes around any pathname containing spaces in the installation batch file. This affected Win2K since the default user directory is called "Documents and Settings" (containing spaces) whereas NT4 used default directory names without spaces. The quotes have now been added to the batch file and the installation should now proceed normally under Win2K.

Please download the latest full program package and reinstall.

   Why do you guys use that stupid batch file to install instead of a package like Installshield?

We have looked at some commercial installation products, but they tend to bloat the filesize to where it does not fit on a floppy anymore, or, violate our rule of not modifying the users system. Since Selguide does not need to check, modify or upgrade system files, these packages are generally overkill. The batch file is launched after all files have been extracted, and it's only purpose is to place an icon on the desktop. See the next question below for more details.

 Why do I have to use the "Highly Recommended" installation path?

You do not have to use the recommended installation path. Selguide is perfectly happy in any directory you choose. However, the "stupid" installation DOS batch file, launched after the files are extracted, places a hard-coded "link" file (icon) on your desktop. The batch file will abort if the directory is anything but the "c:selguide" directory. This means you will have to create your own desktop link. This is a simple procedure and only needs to be done once. Just create a shortcut to sg.exe in your chosen directory. Just remember that future update files must be pointed to the new directory.

 Why does it take so long to start up?

Upon first startup, and the first time you click "search", Selguide must pre-process it's database for use. This may take a few seconds on slower machines.

 Why is there such a "lag" when checking a checkbox or entering a number in the search boxes? This is annoying!

This is because a complex query is generated each time you enter a number or check a box to update the "Minimum/Maximum Range" and "Items Found" count. It is annoying, but it is the price we pay for the immediate feedback of your selections. At this time, the only solution is to use a faster computer.

 Can you make all the temperature ranges initially "checked" so that it is easier to eliminate the Military range?

If you are asking this, you probably have the older v110 software. Download the latest version in which all temperature ranges are checked by default.

 Why don't the numbers shown in Selguide match the Datasheet numbers? And/or the Parameters for the LMxxxx do not match the datasheet - they need to be corrected.

In order to compare "Apples" and "Oranges", some specification entries on certain devices had to be slightly modified so that they would show up in certain types of searches. These modifications may be, or may not be, in the devices favor. Double-check these numbers on the datasheet for your intended supply voltage.

Remember: The whole idea of this software is to give you a list of devices to look over and consider - not to repeat the datasheet numbers verbatim. Selguide is not an electronic databook, but a selection tool. It is still up to the designer to review the datasheet and determine if the device is right for your application.

 Have you thought of automatically updating the database over the net?

Of course! "Live Updates" are planned for future versions.

 Can I fit Selguide on a floppy?

You can fit the Selguide INSTALLATION package on a floppy - but the expanded Selguide directory is about 3MB and will not fit on a floppy. However, if you want portability, you can burn the expanded Selguide directory onto a CD-R and run it directly off the CD. However, you will not be able to update the database on the CD (unless you use a CD-RW).

 What's the "View Product Information from CD" link for? I tried it with your Web/Databook CD and it did not work.

That CD link is for use on specially created CD's that contain an image of our web site. The Web files must be located in the root directory of the current drive and will not work with the CD in another location.

 May I place a copy of your software on our internal network for our users to download?

We ask that you do not. Because of the time-sensitive nature of the data contained within this software, NSC requests that you DO NOT maintain local copies, or distribute copies via any web site (internal or external), BBS, Shareware site, CD-ROM or other software repositories without the written consent of the Selguide software coordinator.

Instead, we ask that you please provide a link to the Selguide Home page, which can be found at http://www.national.com/selguide, and let the users download it themselves.

However, if you are using a shared resource or "Thin Client" system, you may maintain one local server shared copy PROVIDED that you can guarantee that it will be updated weekly. A simple chron script can be implemented to download and expand the latest version. Tuesday evening is the best time for automatic updates.

The Selguide.exe file is a self-extracting PKZIP archive and can be "unzipped" using any PKZIP command line tool or shell. Please only download and expand the Selguide.exe file to a common directory. Only updating the database files would prevent any updates to the software from propagating to the users.