Note for Windows Vista users. (Thanks to Jeff Richards)
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This note may also apply to Windows 7 users, depending on security configuration.

AIS Decoder must be run with administrator privileges enabled. If AIS Decoder starts with the Options button disabled, then it is likely that you are not running the program with administrator privileges.

Running as administrator is required because AIS Decoder requires write access to the installation folder. User Access Control (UAC) in Vista prevents write access to the Program Files folder and all its sub folders, as part of the process of protecting the computer against malicious software. To run with write access to the Program Files folder, the program must be run by a user who has administrator privileges, and it must be run with those privileges enabled.

Running AIS Decoder with administrator privileges enabled does not compromise the security of the computer. It simply means that you need to confirm that it is OK to run AIS Decoder each time it starts.

A further note from Neal Arundale.
Although AisDecoder does require administrator privileges to install, it should not require them to run, however, if the user does not have administrator privilege, I intentionally disable the Options button. This is so that if AisDecoder is run in a networked environment, the administrator can stop a user altering the settings, although they can alter the display. Normally a single user would run their PC with administrator privilege so it is not an issue. However there could be a situation where an administrator would like to give a non-privileged user the option to alter the settings.
This can be done by by the administrator running a .REG script after installation. If you require further details, please contact myself. 

To enable AIS decoder to run with administrator privileges enabled you need to modify the start menu item.
1. Click Start and All Programs, and select AIS Decoder from the list
2. Right-click the AIS Decoder item and choose properties
3. Click the Advanced button and tick the 'Run as administrator' check box
4. Click OK and then click Apply and OK in the Properties dialogue. You will be asked to confirm these changes.

You can create a desktop shortcut to AIS Decoder.
1. Click Start and All Programs, and select AIS Decoder from the list
2. Press and hold the right mouse button over the AIS Decoder menu entry and drag the entry onto a blank part of the desktop
3. Before releasing the right mouse button, press and hold the Control key. The message 'Copy to desktop' will appear.
4. Release the right mouse button, then release the Control key
5. You may get another dialogue with options. If so, select the 'Copy to here' option.

If you haven't already set the start menu shortcut to run with administrator privileges enabled, you can change the setting for the desktop icon.
1. Right click on the desktop icon and choose Properties from the menu that appears
2. Select the Shortcut tab and click the Advanced button
3. Tick the 'Run as administrator' check box
4. Click OK and then click Apply and OK in the Properties dialogue.

You can now click the menu item or the desktop icon to start AIS-Decoder. If you have enabled administrator privileges you will be asked to confirm execution of the program: running as administrator has not disabled UAC, it has simply provided the user with the necessary permissions, but approval to use that permission is still required.


Serial Port Numbers
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AIS Decoder supports serial port (COM) numbers from 1 to 16

Some versions of Windows allow for many more than 16 serial ports. When you are using USB to serial port adapters, it is easy to have more than 16 serial port numbers used, either a result of using different adapters, or simply because of repeated attempts to get the adapter driver software properly installed. This frequently occurs while installing Blue-tooth devices, which can allocate a new serial port number each time they connect.

To change the serial port number used by a particular adapter, follow the steps below.

Vista
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1. Click the Start men and select Control Panel.
2. Select System and Maintenance (or just System in classic view) and Device Manager
3. Expand the 'Ports (COM and LPT)' item. Note which serial port (COM) numbers are unused
4. Double-click the port where you want to change the number. A Properties dialogue will open
5. Choose the Port Settings tab, and then select Advanced. An Advanced Settings dialogue will open
6. Select the new serial port number from the list in the drop-down at the bottom of the dialogue.

Note: You may get a warning that this port number is already in use when you close the dialogue. This can happen even if the device is not listed in Device manager. This is because the number is 'allocated' to a device that is not currently connected (probably a USB to serial converter). If you really need to use this port number for this device, you can accept the warning and confirm the change to override the existing allocation.

7. Click OK and OK to close the dialogues.

You can choose Action / Scan for Hardware Changes to have the new port assignment displayed in Device Manager.

Windows 7
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1. Click the Start men and select Control Panel.
2. Select 'Hardware and Sound' and 'Device Manager' (under 'Devices and Printers')
3. Expand the 'Ports (COM and LPT)' item
4. Double-click the port where you want to change the number. A Properties dialogue will open
5. Choose the Port Settings tab, and then select Advanced. An Advanced Settings dialogue will open
6. Drop down the list at the bottom of the dialogue. The ports are listed, and the port numbers already in use are indicated
7. Select the new serial port number from the list.

Note: If you select a port that is marked as 'in use', You will get a warning that this port number is already in use when you click OK in the dialogue. This is because the number is 'allocated' to a device that is not currently connected (probably a USB to serial converter). If you really need to use this port number for this device, you can accept the warning and confirm the change to override the existing allocation.

8. Click OK and OK to close the dialogues.

You can choose Action / Scan for Hardware Changes to have the new port assignment displayed in Device Manager.