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WeatherCast FAQ
FAQ Q. I have downloaded and installed the program successfully. What is my user name? A. This information is on the download page and on the CD- ROM cover. Your user name is "Weather". The User code and User key should automatically grey out. For more information see the Online manual. Downloading data Q. When I try to download information using WeatherCast, a message "No Carrier" appears. Why is this? A. The message "no carrier" indicates that your modem is unable to dial the telephone number and hence is not achieving a connection with the WeatherCast bulletin board at PA WeatherCentre. Below are the common reasons for this: There may be something interrupting the connection, such as other Internet programs remaining open on your PC, or a telephone connection blocking your access. Do you normally need an extra digit (e.g. "9") to gain an outside line? If so, you will need to ensure that the number WeatherCast is dialling to connect to PA WeatherCentre includes this digit, or, are you dialling in from a location where access to the premium rate telephone numbers is restricted. If you are using ISDN you need to ensure that you have installed your ISDN adapter as a modem using either the X75 or V120 protocol. Q. I can't download the most recent information from WeatherCast. Why not? A. WeatherCast times the information it dispenses by using the clock on your PC. If you are not receiving the most recent information, it may be that you need to check your clock facility. To do this, go to "Start" in Windows then click on "settings" and "Control Panel". The "Date/Time" icon will allow you to correct the time mechanism. Q. The "Data collection" process is taking a long time. Is there anything I can do to shorten the download time? A. Make sure you only ask WeatherCast to collect the information you require. Downloading time will increases with the more information you request. Q. Why does the data collection process sometimes fail? A. WeatherCast allows you to check what is happening during the download process. This can be a useful tool in allowing you to see why the data collection process fails very occasionally. Once you have clicked on Collect Data from the Communications menu, double click on the Weathercast logo in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. Now select modem access from the task bar. A communication screen will pop up which will allow you to view the exact downloading process. Normally you will see your PC log into PA WeatherCentre Bulletin Board System, retrieve the files you have asked for and then process those files. Usually, when the data process fails, the message "no carrier" will appear on this display screen (see question 1 for more details) Q. Sometimes my PC collects WeatherCast data when I haven't clicked on data collection. A. You may have set Weathercast up to automatically download data. In the Communication menu, click on Automatic data collection to de-select (the tick next to this command will disappear). Using WeatherCast Q. When WeatherCast appears on my screen. Part of the display area appears to be obscured. A. You need to check that your screen resolution is set to the right size to accommodate the Weathercast display area. Return to the desktop area and right-click anywhere on the screen. Click on "Properties", then "Settings" to check your screen resolution. Weathercast requires an area of at least 800 by 600 pixels. You can change your resolution by sliding the scale on the control panel. Meteorological Questions Q. I have downloaded a satellite image, but can't see any cloud. Is there something wrong with my program? A. Remember that visible images only give useful information during daylight hours, which is when the sun illuminates the cloud. Infra-red images can, on the other hand, be used by night.
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