vbXManager Download
vbXManager software now includes the ability to download balance reports from balancing instruments and to format, export or directly print these imported reports. The software also includes vbBalancer and vbBalancer+ instrument firmware version 11.2.6 with several significant instrument enhancements. Build 11.2.14, 20th July 2011.

The vbBalancer instrument is not shipped with the Ascent Software, however if you want to manage data on the instrument you could try the following.

vbxmanager - Connects to the vbBalancer.

Upgrading your Software or Firmware 

New versions of software and firmware files are released intermittently as we continue to enhance and develop our products. These upgrades can be downloaded from the Commtest website. To find out more information about the upgrades that are currently available, contact Commtest or your local reseller.
To apply for an upgrade you need to register your vb portable instrument or vbOnline device. To do this go to the customer login area of our website and register your details. After filling out the customer form you will be able to register your product. The product details you need to provide are your product serial number, QA date and a valid e-mail address. The serial number and QA date can be found on the QA Card supplied with your instrument. If you can not find a record of your QA date contact Commtest for assistance.
After registering your product an automated reply will be sent containing your login and password as well as a link to the downloads page so that you can access it directly. The login will be the e-mail address you have supplied on the registration form and the password will be your instrument serial number.
Downloading the Upgrade Files
Do not install the downloaded software until your Ascent security dongle has been delivered. Ascent versions 8.00 and later can only run in demonstration mode without a security dongle.
Go to our customer login area and enter your login name and password.
Once you have logged in, download the product you require by right-clicking the file and selecting Save Target As from the shortcut menu.
In the window that appears, navigate to where you want to save the file on your computer then click Save.
Before you Install the new Software/Firmware
Before upgrading your existing software or firmware please ensure all data is collected, backed up and saved to a secure location.
PROFLASHING the instrument with new Firmware
Full instructions on how to PROFLASH your instrument with new firmware are contained in the following article.
Installing the new Software
If you are installing Ascent software using a parallel port security dongle follow the instructions given in this article. Ignore any references to inserting a CD-ROM and instead double-click the .exe file that you downloaded from the Commtest website.
If you are installing Ascent software using a USB security dongle follow the instructions given in this article. Ignore any references to inserting a CD-ROM and instead double-click the .exe file that you downloaded from the Commtest website.

PROBLEM
Can I run Ascent with a non-administrator account? When I use a standard non-administrator Windows account I receive an error message: "Access to the registry key ..."
Is there anything I can do about this?
SOLUTION
Ascent can be run without an administrator account, but some security permissions must be changed. As administrator permissions are required you may need to ask your IT support staff to make these changes.
ASCENT 2009
• Log into Windows using an administrator level account
• Browse to C:\Program Files\Commtest using Windows Explorer (Right-click the Start button and select Explore)
• Right-click the Ascent folder and select Properties.
• Press the Security tab (*)
• Click Users from the 'Group or user names:' list
• Under the 'Permissions for Users' list check the Allow checkbox beside 'Full Control'. Click OK.
(If you are asked if you wish to propagate the new permissions to all sub-folders, do so)
• Open the Windows Registry Editor (Start>Run...>REGEDIT)
• Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\CLLC
• Right-click the CLLC folder and select Permissions.
• Select Users and tick 'Full Control' - Allow.
• Click OK

Ascent will now function correctly under a non-administrator Windows account.
Ascent 2008 and 2008 R2
• Complete the steps for Ascent 2009 in addition to the following steps.
• Open the Windows Registry Editor (Start>Run...>REGEDIT)
• Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors\
• Right-click the Monitors folder and select Permissions.
• Select Users and tick 'Full Control' - Allow.
• Click OK

Ascent will now function correctly under a non-administrator Windows account.

(*) If no Security tab is displayed, click cancel. In Windows Explorer use the main menu to navigate to Tools>Folder Options>View. Untick the Use simple file sharing checkbox then click OK. The Security tab should now be available.