Data Loggers

Keeping PicoLog running after a power failure

One of the problems with using a computer for unattended data logging is the risk of losing data after a power failure. PicoLog, our data logging software, can save you from disaster by restarting automatically after a power failure and then continuing to log data. To make it do this, follow these steps:

  1. Run PicoLog Recorder, set it up to log your data, and then save the settings to a PLW file such as ‘oven.plw’. Note the exact path and name of this file.
  2. Find the PicoLog Recorder shortcut in the Windows Start menu, right-click it and select ‘Copy’.
  3. While still in the Start menu, find the ‘Startup’ program group, right-click it and select ‘Open’. This will open a new window labelled ‘Startup’.
  4. Right-click in the Startup window and select ‘Paste’. A new shortcut labelled ‘PicoLog Recorder’ will appear.
  5. Right-click the new shortcut and select ‘Properties’.
  6. In the ‘Target’ box, you will see the path and name of the PicoLog Recorder program (plw32.exe) enclosed in quotation marks. After the last quotation mark, add “ -r ” (space, minus, r, space).
  7. After the last space you typed, add the full path and name of the PLW file you created earlier (such as “C:\oven.plw”), enclosed in quotation marks.
  8. Click ‘OK’ to close the Properties dialog.

That’s it. You can now test the system by running PicoLog Recorder and then restarting your computer. The program will restart, creating a new data file with a serial number attached, such as ‘oven1.plw’. The data from before the power failure will be safely stored in the original ‘oven.plw’ file.

Article: KB-152
15 Jun 2007

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