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This page is split into two sections: please click below for the section you require:

Pre-sales questions

Please click on a link below:

I'm new to Access Control - is it difficult?

Not when you choose MicroGarde! The Installation Guide for MicroGarde explains everything you need to know, simply and clearly. Click here to go to our Downloads page for a copy of the guide.

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What's in the box - and what else will I need?

When you buy a controller you also get a mounting plate, a fitting kit, a cover and the PC software.

If you buy a starter kit, we also include 2 proximity card readers, 20 cards and a communications lead (1m long, which you can extend to 15m) for connecting the computer to the controller.

You will need suitable lock(s) and power supplies - ideally, one for each controller and one for each lock. You may choose to fit door sensors and exit buttons. You may also need additional readers, or readers with keypads, depending on your requirements.

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What cable will I need?

Readers :
 6 cores, screened
RS232 Communications :
3 cores, screened
RS485 Communications :
2 cores, screened
Lock :
 2 cores, unscreened, thickness must be suitable for load
Door sensor and exit button :
2 cores unscreened

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What if I have more than one controller?

One PC can control and monitor all of your controllers simultaneously provided they are all connected to the computer in some way. Three options are available: RS232, RS485 and TCP/IP over Ethernet. These options are described in the Installation Guide - click here to go to our Downloads page.

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What if my only controller is more than 15m from the computer?

You will need either an RS232/RS485 converter or MicroGarde TCP/IP module, depending on your preferred method of connection.

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What card readers can I use?

TDSi supply many readers that are suitable. Choose from proximity (with various read-distances up to 90cm), Mifare, mag-stripe, Microcard (Infra-Red), reflective bar-code - and even Biometric finger-print recognition. Some readers are available with keypads for additional Card+PIN security. The full range of readers can be seen at the main TDSi website: http://www.tdsi.co.uk

Readers from other sources may also be suitable provided they utilise a standard Clock&Data (track 2) or Wiegand (26-bit) interface.

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Is it really that easy to install?

Oh yes! The mounting plate fixes to the wall with 3 screws (accessible without any disassembly) and provides easy access for cables underneath the plate. The clear colour-coded connection label makes it simple to hook up without having to refer to any documentation, while the software auto-detects controllers and takes you automatically through the few quick steps needed to get the first user cards working.

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Post-installation "How to..." answers

 

Get your first card valid

Starting immediately after installing the software, only a few brief steps are required to get your first card valid. These steps are detailed in our Getting Started pages, which appear automatically if you have not actually performed these steps in the software.

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Tell who is on site

If you tell MicroGarde which readers are considered as allowing card holders in from the outside world - i.e. on site - then the MicroGarde Explorer main display will show you which of your card holders are currently on site. Simply click on the Card Holders icon in the shortcut bar on the left, and if necessary on the Details View icon in the toolbar.

If necessary, you can set a card holder to off-site by right-clicking them and selecting off-site. You can do this with several card holders at once: make your selection (using shift-click or control-click as required) then right click any one of the selected card holders.

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Add a card holder

  1. Click on the Card Holders icon in the shortcut bar on the left
  2. Click on the New icon in the toolbar (looks like a page of paper)
  3. Beneath the TDSi icon are 3 fields: enter a name, choose an access level and either type or select a card number
  4. Click Update

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Add a card to a card holder

Click on the Card Holders icon in the shortcut bar on the left.

Then either:

  • beneath the TDSi icon either type or select a card number and click Update

OR:

  • double-click the card holder, click the Cards tab, click on an available card on the left and click Issue, or click on New and type in the number

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Change the access rights of one card holder

  1. Click on the Card Holders icon in the shortcut bar on the left
  2. Beneath the TDSi icon choose a suitable access level and click Update

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Change the access rights for a group of card holders

  1. Click on the Access Levels icon in the shortcut bar on the left
  2. Double click the appropriate level in the Main Display
  3. Select the required readers and time patterns
  4. Click OK

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Unlock a door for a long period

  1. Click on the Doors icon in the shortcut bar on the left
  2. Beneath the TDSi icon choose Unlock door
  3. Click Update
  4. When you want to return the door to normal operation, follow steps 1 and 2 above except choose Normal

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Unlock a door briefly

  1. Click on the Doors icon in the shortcut bar on the left
  2. Beneath the TDSi icon choose Release door
  3. Click Update - the door will be unlocked for the preset Door release time (which you can change in the door properties)

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Archive your data

  • Click Reports in the menu bar, then select the type of information you wish to archive
  • Enter your selection and sort requirements and click Next
  • Click Export and then Next
  • Choose the format and location and click Next
  • Enter a title and page range choice if required, and click Finish

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Backup your data

  • Click File in the menu bar, then select System Settings
  • Click Next 3 times until you see the Backup Types screen
  • Enter your requirements in this screen and click Finish
  • You may close MicroGarde Explorer, but the computer must be on and logged-in at the specified time for the backup to work

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Have a door unlocked at certain times of the day

  • Click View in the menu bar, then select Time Patterns
  • Right-click any white space in the Main Display, select New then Relay
  • Enter the required time pattern details
  • Click on the Relays icon in the shortcut bar on the left
  • Double-click the appropriate lock relay in the Main Display and choose the required time pattern

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Report on events older than 45 days

Unfortunately, if you did not archive data before it was more than 45 days old, you cannot report on it. If you archived the data, then open the archived file: certain file types will allow you to further manipulate the information if required.

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Reset a controller

  1. Remove the cover
  2. Note the position of the rotary switch then set it to 0
  3. Turn off the power to the controller for 10 seconds, then turn it on again
  4. Re-set the rotary switch to its original position
  5. The red led on each reader should be flashing every half-second. If it is flashing every 2 seconds the controller has not reset

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Re-issue a lost, damaged or suspended card to a card holder

Set the card to Available first, then add it to the card holder in the usual way.

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Restrict who goes where and when

  1. Create an Access Level
  2. Create an Access Level Time Pattern
  3. Add the appropriate Readers and Time Patterns to the Access Level
  4. Allocate the appropriate Card Holders to the Access Level

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Set a door to unlock for longer than 5 seconds when a card is used

  1. Click on the Doors shortcut and double-click the appropriate door
  2. Change the Door Release Time to the required value
  3. Click OK

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Replace a failed controller

  1. Set the rotary switch on the new controller to the same setting as the failed controller
  2. Swap the controllers
  3. In MicroGarde Explorer, click the flashing "New Controller" icon
  4. Select the newly discovered controller and click Next
  5. Select the failed controller and click Next

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Permit access only to certain people when the Intruder Alarm is set

  1. You need a spare input on the MicroGarde controller - connect this to a suitable output on the Intruder system that indicates when the alarm is set
  2. In the Input properties, choose Input type = digital and Input usage = Intruder Alarm Set
  3. For each card holder who is to be allowed access when the Intruder Alarm is set, in the card holder properties, choose Card Holder type = either Intruder operator or Multi-card + Intruder
  4. Test the set-up: you may need to change the input polarity if the wrong card holders are allowed access when the Intruder Alarm is set

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How to solve the Installation Error "Setup failed to configure the server"

This is due to a failed previous install that has left data in the registry. Can occur if you do not have admin rights during an installation. If you search the Microsoft knowledge base for Articles 816499 & 320873. This will document how to manually remove the MSDE 2000. NOTE: this is an instance installation and registry key is: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MicroGarde\Setup

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