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Installing Express Metering Client 6.2 in a Multi-user Windows/Citrix Environment
Technical Note 1586
Last Reviewed 16-Sep-2003

Applies To
Express Software Manager version 6.2

Summary
Express Software Manager can be used to meter multi-user Windows/Citrix clients. This technical note describes how to install the Express metering client 6.2 in Windows Terminal Server and Citrix MetaFrame environments.

Installation of the Express metering client varies according to your multi-user platform. Follow the installation instructions for your environment:

Microsoft Terminal Services, Windows 2003 (with or without Citrix MetaFrame)

Understanding Express Meter
When you install the Express metering client, a hidden file called Hdc.ini is installed to the default Windows folder. On startup, the Express client searches in the default Windows folder and, if it cannot find the Hdc.ini, the client will not start.

In multi-user Windows environments, the default Windows location is replicated to each user profile. As a result, the Hdc.ini file is also copied to each profile. Express metering will not work properly in this scenario.

The Hdc.ini file must be moved to a common folder on the local drive, as described in this Technical Note. Express metering will not work if the Hdc.ini is not on a local drive of the Terminal Server or Citrix computer.

Create an Express Library
Use the Library Wizard in Express Administrative Console to create an Express library either on the Terminal Server or on another network server that is accessible to the Terminal Server and to the client workstations.

Note: Metering performance is enhanced when the library is installed locally on the Terminal Server.

Install the Express Metering Client
Follow the steps below to configure the Express metering client on the Terminal Server or Citrix computer.

Install the Express metering client
On the Terminal Server or Citrix MetaFrame machine:

  1. Log on with administrative rights.

  2. In Change user /install mode, install the Express client on the server. To do so, enter the following lines at the command prompt:

    Change user /install
    \\<server name>\<library name>\Clients\Exinst32.exe -V
    Change user /execute
    The -V switch displays a message when the client is installed.

  1. If prompted, restart the Terminal Server.

Move the Hdc.ini file to a folder on a local drive
On the Terminal Server or Citrix MetaFrame machine:

  1. Log on with administrative rights.

  2. Locate the Hdc.ini file that was created when you installed the Express client.

    Note: This file is a hidden file and is installed in your default Windows directory.

  1. Move the Hdc.ini file from your default Windows directory to a folder on the local drive. This folder must be accessible to every user who will log on to the Terminal Server.

    Note: Move this file, do not copy it. When you are done there should not be an Hdc.ini file in the default Windows directory.

Add a value to the Express Client registry key
Note: Modifying the registry can cause programs or your computer operating system to no longer work. Always make a backup of the registry before modifying it, and do not modify the registry unless you are familiar with the process.

On the Terminal Server or Citrix MetaFrame machine:

  1. Choose Run from the Start menu and enter “regedit” in the Run dialog. Click OK to run the registry editor. Be sure the View is set to Tree and Data.

  1. Locate the registry key

HKEY-LOCAL-MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Express Metrix\Express Client

    Note: You can use the Find Key command on the registry editor’s View menu.

  1. Select the Express Client folder and from the registry editor’s menu, choose Edit, New, and String Value.

  2. Enter HDCINI for the Value Name and click OK.

  3. For the String, enter the path to the folder where the Hdc.ini file has been moved. Click OK when you are done.

    For example, if you moved the Hdc.ini file to a new folder called ESMfiles on the C: drive, the value you enter would look like this:

      C:\ESMfiles
  1. Select the Express Client folder and choose the Edit menu option, then choose Permissions. Set the permissions for the Express Client key so that every user has Read access. Click OK when you are finished.

  2. Close the registry editor.

  3. Restart the Terminal Server machine.

Important: Verify the following:

  • The Hdc.ini file only exists in the new local folder. (There should not be an Hdc.ini file in the default Windows folder).

  • The folder containing the Hdc.ini file is accessible to all users.

  • The Express Client registry key is accessible to every user (Read permission).

  • The application library is only being used by Terminal Server/Citrix users. (For non-Terminal Server/Citrix clients, you should create a separate library.)

For more information on installing Express Software Manager, see your product documentation.

Obtain and deploy the Express Windows 2003 metering client
On the Terminal Server or Citrix MetaFrame machine:

  1. In Windows Task Manager, select excli32.exe in the Processes tab and click End Process.

  2. Contact Express Technical Support to obtain the Express windows 2003 metering client, excli03.exe

  3. Rename excli03.exe to excli32.exe.

  4. Replace excli32.exe in \Windows\system32 or \WINNT\system32 with the excli32.exe you renamed in sub-step 3 above.

  5. Log off the Terminal Server or Citrix MetaFrame machine and log back in again.

Microsoft Terminal Services, Windows 2000 (with or without Citrix MetaFrame)

Understanding Express Meter
When you install the Express metering client, a hidden file called Hdc.ini is installed to the default Windows folder. On startup, the Express client searches in the default Windows folder and, if it cannot find the Hdc.ini, the client will not start.

In multi-user Windows environments, the default Windows location is replicated to each user profile. As a result, the Hdc.ini file is also copied to each profile. Express metering will not work properly in this scenario.

The Hdc.ini file must be moved to a common folder on the local drive, as described in this Technical Note. Express metering will not work if the Hdc.ini is not on a local drive of the Terminal Server or Citrix computer.

Create an Express Library
Use the Library Wizard in Express Administrative Console to create an Express library either on the Terminal Server or on another network server that is accessible to the Terminal Server and to the client workstations.

Note: Metering performance is enhanced when the library is installed locally on the Terminal Server.

Install the Express Metering Client
Follow the steps below to configure the Express metering client on the Terminal Server or Citrix computer.

Rename the Express metering client in your application library
In the \Clients folder of the application library:

  1. Rename excli32.exe to excli32.w2k.

  2. Rename exclixp.exe to excli32.exe.

Install the Express metering client
On the Terminal Server or Citrix MetaFrame machine:

  1. Log on with administrative rights.

  2. In Change user /install mode, install the Express client on the server. To do so, enter the following lines at the command prompt:

    Change user /install
    \\<server name>\<library name>\Clients\Exinst32.exe -V
    Change user /execute
    The -V switch displays a message when the client is installed.

  1. If prompted, restart the Terminal Server.

Move the Hdc.ini file to a folder on a local drive
On the Terminal Server or Citrix MetaFrame machine:

  1. Log on with administrative rights.

  2. Locate the Hdc.ini file that was created when you installed the Express client.

    Note: This file is a hidden file and is installed in your default Windows directory.

  1. Move the Hdc.ini file from your default Windows directory to a folder on the local drive. This folder must be accessible to every user who will log on to the Terminal Server.

    Note: Move this file, do not copy it. When you are done there should not be an Hdc.ini file in the default Windows directory.

Add a value to the Express Client registry key
Note: Modifying the registry can cause programs or your computer operating system to no longer work. Always make a backup of the registry before modifying it, and do not modify the registry unless you are familiar with the process.

On the Terminal Server or Citrix MetaFrame machine:

  1. Choose Run from the Start menu and enter “regedt32” in the Run dialog. Click OK to run the registry editor. Be sure the View is set to Tree and Data.

    Note: Be sure to run regedt32.exe rather than regedit.exe. If you run regedit.exe you will not see the menu choices described below, and you will not be able to set the appropriate permissions on the registry key.

  1. Locate the registry key

HKEY-LOCAL-MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Express Metrix\Express Client

    Note: You can use the Find Key command on the registry editor’s View menu.

  1. Select the Express Client folder and from the registry editor’s menu, choose Edit and Add Value.

  2. Enter HDCINI for the Value Name and click OK.

  3. For the String, enter the path to the folder where the Hdc.ini file has been moved. Click OK when you are done.

    For example, if you moved the Hdc.ini file to a new folder called ESMfiles on the C: drive, the value you enter would look like this:

      C:\ESMfiles
  1. Select the Express Client folder and choose the Security menu option, then choose Permissions. Set the permissions for the Express Client key so that every user has Read access. Click OK when you are finished.

  2. Close the registry editor.

  3. Restart the Terminal Server machine.

Important: Verify the following:

  • The Hdc.ini file only exists in the new local folder. (There should not be an Hdc.ini file in the default Windows folder).

  • The folder containing the Hdc.ini file is accessible to all users.

  • The Express Client registry key is accessible to every user (Read permission).

  • The application library is only being used by Terminal Server/Citrix users. (For non-Terminal Server/Citrix clients, you should create a separate library.)

For more information on installing Express Software Manager, see your product documentation.

Microsoft Terminal Services, Windows NT (with or without Citrix MetaFrame)

Create an Express Library
Use the Library Wizard in Express Administrative Console to create an Express library either on the MetaFrame server or on another network server that is accessible to the MetaFrame server and to the client workstations. The library machine will need access to MSDE for library operations such as opening and updating libraries.

Note: Metering performance is enhanced when the library is installed on the MetaFrame server.

Install the Express Metering Client
Follow the steps below to install the Express metering client on the Terminal Server or Citrix MetaFrame:

  1. Log on to the Terminal Server or Citrix MetaFrame machine with administrative rights.

  2. In Change user /install mode, install the Express client on the server by entering the following lines at the command prompt:

    Change user /install
    \\<server name>\<library name>\Clients\Exinst32.exe -V
    Change user /execute
    The -V switch displays a message when the client is installed.

  1. If prompted, restart the Terminal Server or Citrix MetaFrame machine.

The current terminal session and all new sessions will begin to meter.

Related Technical Notes
1564 Installing Express Software Manager 6.0 or 6.1 in a Multi-user Windows NT Environment
9989 Express Software Manager 6.x Technical Notes