Installing McIDAS-X on Windows 10 Workstations

If you are installing McIDAS-X on a workstation running the Linux or macOS operating system, go to Installing McIDAS-X on Unix or macOS Workstations.

This section contains information about installing and running McIDAS-X on workstations running Microsoft Windows 10 with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Hereafter, the terms McIDAS-X on Win10 and McIDAS-X on Win10 2022 refer specifically to this package. The McIDAS-X software, which is the same whether installed on a native Unix system or a Windows 10 system, is referred to as McIDAS-X or McIDAS-X 2022.

System Requirements

Before installing McIDAS-X, you must ensure that the workstation is configured to meet the system requirements for running the software. The table below lists the operating system and compiler software required to install and run McIDAS-X on Win10 2022.

We do not require use of a specific X server. Microsoft recommends VcXsrv. Other X servers, including Xming and X-Win32, have also been used with McIDAS-X. Here are recommended actions for two issues that could be encountered:

• If you receive a No protocol specified or Can't open display error when starting McIDAS-X, check the configuration options for the X server and select the option to Disable Access Control (which means that connections from all clients are accepted). This is required because the virtual network in WSL 2 causes the McIDAS-X X11 connection to appear to be coming from another network.
• When running McIDAS-X, if you encounter cursor movement or rendering problems when using cursor-based commands like CUR, PC or CM, you may find that setting or unsetting the -noXCursor flag in your $HOME/.mcidasrc file improves performance.

Configuration Options and Instructions

There are two configuration options for McIDAS-X on Win10 systems:

• Single-User Configuration
• Multi-User Configuration

Single-User Configuration

In the single-user configuration, each user builds and installs their own version of McIDAS-X. There is no Windows System Administrator needed to install McIDAS-X.

The single-user configuration is simpler to complete, but does not allow multiple users to access a shared installation of McIDAS-X binaries and data files. A workstation can have multiple user accounts that are set up using the single-user configuration. However, the Preparing the Workstation (Single-User) instructions below need to be done only once, and each user needs to maintain their own version of the McIDAS-X software, including installation of future releases.

The single-user configuration is best for users who maintain their own software, without a Windows System Administrator, and do not need to share data files with other users.

If you choose the single-user Configuration, the McIDAS-X on Win10 installation consists of the four tasks below. If you are performing an initial install on the workstation you must complete all four sections, in order. If McIDAS-X is already installed and you are simply updating to a new version, then you can complete just the third section (Installing McIDAS-X on Win10).

• Preparing the Workstation (Single-User)
• Preparing the mcidas Account (Single-User)
• Installing McIDAS-X on Win10 (Single-User)
• Preparing the Main User Account (Single-User)

Multi-User Configuration

In the multi-user configuration, a Windows System Administrator must install and maintain the release versions of McIDAS-X. The main advantage is that it has one shared account where the McIDAS-X software is installed and everyone shares those binaries and associated data files. Each user still retains their own McIDAS-X environment; they just share the standard core software that is required for all users.

The multi-user configuration is generally better for workstations with multiple users who will be running McIDAS-X, or who prefer to have a Windows System Administrator maintain their software installations.

If you choose the multi-user Configuration, the McIDAS-X on Win10 installation consists of the four tasks below. If you are performing an initial install on the workstation you must complete all four sections, in order. If McIDAS-X is already installed and you are simply updating to a new version, then you can complete just the third section (Installing McIDAS-X on Win10).

• Preparing the Workstation (Multi-User)
• Preparing the mcidas Account (Multi-User)
• Installing McIDAS-X on Win10 (Multi-User)
• Preparing a User Account (Multi-User)

If you have questions about the installation, send email to Unidata McIDAS Support <support-mcidas@unidata.ucar.edu>.