Quick Start Guide
We know KioWare OS has many features, but here is how you can get it installed, set up, and running in the quickest way possible. Note: It is always quickest to use the KioWare OS default settings but, by default, KioWare OS is not locked down. Once you get KioWare OS running, you should always read through this user guide and change the defaults so you have the highest security.
Installation
Follow these steps to get KioWare OS installed.
Configuration Tool
The Configuration Tool (Config Tool) contains all the settings for running the KioWare OS browser on your kiosk or computer. Follow these steps to instantly set up the Config Tool.
| STEP 1: Start the Config Tool | Once installed on any of the four platforms (see Installation, Installation Instructions), KioWare OS will always auto-start when the operating system boots. On the first boot, the Config Tool will open. Subsequent boots will show whichever application (Config Tool or KioWare browser) was running when the device last powered off. |
| STEP 2: Set Start Page URL | The “Start Page URL” is the home page of the KioWare OS browser. It is the only setting in the Config Tool that is required for KioWare OS to run and can be found on the General tab of the Config Tool. All other settings are either optional or are loaded with the KioWare OS default settings. |
| STEP 3: Enter License Information | You only need to do this step if you have actually bought a license of KioWare OS. Go to the License tab of the Config Tool and select “Single User” in the “License Type” dropdown. Next, in the “License Model” dropdown, select the KioWare model that you purchased. Then enter your “Company Name” and “License Code” in the respective boxes. |
The Config Tool looks like this, with a left menu bar whose options (tabs) show different settings on the right. At the top right is a button to start the KioWare OS browser and a “Menu” button (shown as an ellipsis). Selecting this button shows a dropdown menu containing options for loading default settings, importing/exporting settings, contacting KioWare technical support, and shutting down.
KioWare OS Browser
The KioWare OS browser application is the gateway to accessing all of your attract screens, toolbars, and any computer programs or other tools that you run with KioWare OS. When run, the browser also locks down your kiosk or computer so users can only access the files you want them to. Follow these simple steps when opening and exiting the KioWare OS browser.
| Open the Browser | On any of the four platforms (see Installation, Installation Instructions), boot the operating system. When last powering off, if the browser was open then it will auto-run; if the Config Tool was running, then it will show. Select the “Launch KioWare” button to start the browser.
You can also set up KioWare OS to load on device boot (for more details, see Running KioWare, Loading KioWare OS on Device Boot). |
| Exit the Browser | Option #1: Select the icon in the upper-left corner four times.
Option #2: Select the four corners of the browser window in the order listed below (default exit pattern), or select the corners in your custom exit pattern if you have set one up (on the Security tab of the Config Tool, select “Exiting KioWare” and then “Exit Pattern”).
- Upper left
- Upper right
- Lower right
- Lower left
Option #3: If you set up a Busy Indicator in a toolbar (on the User Interface tab of the Config Tool, add or edit a toolbar under Docked UI Elements, then select “Docked Element Settings”, “Left/Right Side Controls”, “Busy Indicator”), then you can select that Busy Indicator four times.
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| Enter Password (Passcode) | After completing Option #1 or #2 above, you will see a window asking for a passcode. Enter the “Exit Passcode” that you set up (on the Security tab of the Config Tool, select “Exiting KioWare” and then “Exiting Passcode”). The default is 3523.
If you do not have a keyboard connected to your kiosk or computer, use the “Keyboard” button to show an on-screen keyboard (on the User Interface tab of the Config Tool, add or edit a toolbar under Docked UI Elements, then select “Docked Element Settings”, “Left/Right Side Controls”, “Keyboard Button”). |
The KioWare OS browser looks like this, with custom toolbars that can be set up at top, bottom, left, or right. You can also create and stack smaller browser windows within the main KioWare OS window, and set up each one to show a different web page or computer program (on the User Interface tab of the Config Tool, add or edit browser windows under Docked UI Elements, and then set the position, size, and URL).
Default Start Page
The first time KioWare OS is run, if no home page is set (under “Start Page URL” on the General tab of the Config Tool), the default start page will appear. It explains how to exit the KioWare OS browser application via the four corners, and contains an animated image that illustrates these steps (for details on other methods of exiting KioWare OS, see KioWare OS Browser above). This screen will not show when upgrading KioWare OS.
Troubleshooting
If the KioWare OS browser does not display your web page or computer program, then check for these common problems. If the answers to your questions are not in this table, visit the KioWare website for frequently asked questions. You can also contact KioWare support via phone (Toll Free USA: 877-843-4790; International: 1-717-843-4790) or our website (m.kioware.com).
| Browser Error | If you get a browser error (e.g., HTTP 404 - Page Not Found), then make sure the home page (under “Start Page URL” on the General tab of the Config Tool) is set to the correct location. Also, be sure that KioWare OS is set up to allow the home page in its browsing access list (on the Security tab of the Config Tool, select “Browsing Access List” and check that the home page is allowed). |
| Incorrect URL | It is also useful to open your web page or computer program directly from Chrome or another browser. If it loads successfully, then copy and paste the URL into the “Start Page URL” (on the General tab of the Config Tool). If it still does not load properly, then it is likely a problem with the web server or your web page or computer program. |
| Licensing Error | If you get a KioWare OS licensing error, then confirm the “License Model” and “License Code” are correct (on the License tab of the Config Tool). |