Updated June 2008

SERIAL=Serial Security key

This parameter must be present in order for A-Shell to run. For versions of A-Shell before 1117 of June 2008, SERIAL= must be the very first line in the configuration file, even before any comments. Starting with build 1117, it is possible to insert comments (starting with either ; or #) above the SERIAL= line.

If the security key field is set to DEMONSTRATIONXX, then A-Shell will operate in demonstration mode. If the field is set to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, then the first time A-Shell is invoked, then the correct security key will be requested:

A-Shell Serial Number:

A-Shell Serial # nnnn security key:

Company name:

 

You should then enter the serial number, security key and company name as listed in the A-Shell license paperwork which accompanied the A-Shell software. This key will then overwrite the SERIAL= line in miame.ini. An incorrect security key will cause A-Shell to operate in demonstration mode.

Use the LICENS command (from the A-Shell prompt) to force A-Shell to prompt for a new security key.

The security key and company name must match, although the case and punctuation of the company name are not important.

Note that the SERIAL= line in miame.ini can be replaced with an INCLUDE=<fspec> line, where <fspec> is the full native filespec of a file which contains SERIAL=. This feature is to allow firms supporting multiple A-Shell installations to maintain just one miame.ini for all the installations, while storing the one thing that is unique—the SERIAL specification—in a separate file.