CTX 3030 Search Program Download Mac Issue

[JCR]

I was able to download the CTX 3030 update and drag and drop it successfully from my Mac to the CTX, but I can't get any of the Search Program Files I've downloaded to transfer to my CTX. any ideas ?

 

[JCR]

-- moved topic --

 

[JamesM]

I had a question about that as well. I figured that since you could drag and drop updates to the CTX disk image, that you could also drag and drop User Search Modes as well. Did it appear that the modes copied to the disk image?

 

["Dr.Tones"]

Try saving the file as a .mlf before dragging it. If that doesn't work then it isn't possible. Seems like i've done it before. Can't remember though

 

[chuckciao]

Minelab does make a provision for downloading updates directly to a Mac but not search modes. To download modes, you need to install Windows 7 or other Windows Software to a separate partition on your Mac. I used Mac's native Bootcamp application from the utilities folder. You will have to purchase a copy of Windows. I bought an OEM Version of Windows 7 from EBay for $90.00. There are other apps on the market that will allow you to install Windows on your Mac but will cost you a bit more.
HH
Chuck

 

[chuckciao]

Forgot to add that the reason you need Windows is to be able to download Xchange2

Minelab does make a provision for downloading updates directly to a Mac but not search modes. To download modes, you need to install Windows 7 or other Windows Software to a separate partition on your Mac. I used Mac's native Bootcamp application from the utilities folder. You will have to purchase a copy of Windows. I bought an OEM Version of Windows 7 from EBay for $90.00. There are other apps on the market that will allow you to install Windows on your Mac but will cost you a bit more.
HH
Chuck

 

[ocarlier]

Looked into this the other day, as I too don't use Windows (Linux infact); In short the simplest solution was to setup Windows on a virtual machine and then mount CTX3030's as 'USB Mass Storage Device'.
Click here to download VirtualBox, it will work for OS-X users also. (assumption: you have a Windows setup disc).

In a little more depth, XChange2 is simply a web-app wrapped in an application container called 'Chromium' (the same core as the Google Chrome browser), it could run on other platforms - if you can work out the parameters to 'build' your own. Windows users can verify this by looking around inside "%AppData%\XChange2".

The firmware on the actual detector, and the XChange2 application appears to access and store settings, modes, and 'other' stuff (like find-points) via a SQLite database stored in the detectors file-system named 'CTX3030.mlx'. It also attempts to self install firmware images placed in the same directory.

In theory, it's possible to write you're own application to replace XChange2 - this also explains why placing modes directly in the devices file-system doesn't work; the 'mlf' extensioned files are simply database snippets of relevant information that the application imports back into the SQLite database on the device or itself for manipulation.

For me, emulation via VirtualBox was an acceptable solution - emulation via Wine didn't work, and Minelab have done a great job with XChange2 - I don't think I could do any better.

 

[unearth]

I installed windows 7 using Parallels for my Mac. I want to be able to have a Mac window and a Windows window open at the same time. I don't believe you can do that with Mac's bootcamp program. Anyone using bootcamp jump in and let us know for sure.

 

[chuckciao]

You are correct. For me, this is not a handicap because I only use windows for my Xchange2.

I installed windows 7 using Parallels for my Mac. I want to be able to have a Mac window and a Windows window open at the same time. I don't believe you can do that with Mac's bootcamp program. Anyone using bootcamp jump in and let us know for sure.

 

[crk2]

On a Mac only Parallels or VM Fusion will allow virtual machines to work simultaneously. Bootcamp is one or the other.