Egress Systems

Torus Users Page


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Welcome to the Torus Users page. This page is intended to keep our valued Torus / Timelink customers updated with the latest news, offers, information, downloads and tips. Please visit this page often as it will be updated regularly.

The following links are to sections further down this page:

Badges / Cards

Example card We have a new pricing structure for our pre-printed magnetic-stripe cards.

  • 0 to 24 Cards, £3.50 per card
  • 25 to 49 Cards, £3.20 per card
  • 50 to 99 Cards, £2.90 per Card
  • 100+ Cards, £2.80 per Card

Prices exclude £5.00 Carriage and VAT

We are also able to print cards to your own specifications to include items such as barcodes, company logos and employee photographs. Please contact us for further details of this service.

BST and GMT Daylight Savings

Our current recommendation is to set the BST and GMT change-over dates up to just one week in advance. In the past we have experienced problems where the settings were made well in advance, but became mysteriously lost by the time the change-over date was reached. Hence we suggest setting the BST / GMT dates just beforehand.

Manuals

Downloads

TLonline for Windows Version 1.1.5

This is the Windows version of the DOS based utility of the same name. The program provides emulation of a Timelink in Installation and Supervisor mode. It requires Windows 98SE operating system or higher.

Latest features of this version:

  • Automated setting of BST and GMT Daylight Savings
  • Automated synchronisation of the Timelink time with PC time changes
  • Scheduled setting of the Timelink’s Sort Records function

Please note, this version does not include connection to modem attached Timelink Terminals.

Egress Systems Limited cannot accept any responsibility for loss, disruption or damage to your data or computer system which may occur with downloaded programs or data.

Download TLonline: TLonline Setup [7Mb]

Top Tips

Migrating Torus from one PC to another

This process is surprisingly simple. Torus does not use the Windows Registry and in the case of Version 7.x all of the Torus files are contained within one folder (with one exception). Versions 8.x and 9.x of Torus may hold the database files in a separate location, though this is not usually the case. Migration is normally as simple as copying the Torus folder from the one PC to the other.

The one exception to the rule of where Torus files / data are held is the win.ini file within the Windows (or Winnt) folder. A Torus section is used in this file to store some user settings. The section can be copied and pasted into a temporary text file and then copied into the win.ini file on the destination PC. If this is not done then Torus will still run and create a new Torus section in the win.ini file anyway, however some Torus settings will revert to the defaults.

Because Torus reads from and writes to the win.ini file it is necessary to give Torus full read/write permission to this file. Remember, if you are using a CD or DVD to copy the Torus folder onto before pasting onto the destination PC, ensure that all of the files are unset from being Read Only.

Sometimes problems can occur when downloading data onto the new PC or a message is displayed showing "not verified". This suggests that the Timelink Terminal(s) are possibly connected to a different Comm Port to the original PC. To rectify this, open Torus Admin, go to System, Timelinks and then Autodetect. If you are happy with what Timelinks have been detected, click Ok to save the results.

Some users can experience problems using a Comm port on the same IRQ as internal modem. Comm Port 1 will often conflict with an internal modem on Comm Port 3, as with Comm Port 2 and an internal modem of Comm Port 4.

Communications Not Verified

As Torus starts up, if a message is displayed saying Not Verified, then this indicates there is a communications problem between the Torus PC and the Timelink. There can be a number of reasons why a communications fault can occur. Shown below are some of the most common:

  • There is a conflict with the PC comm port. If a new internal modem has recently been added to the PC, then this can cause a conflict with the comm port used by Torus. In this case, try assigning the modem to a different comm port. Other causes of conflicts are often resolved by simply rebooting the PC.
  • There is a cabling fault. The cable may be broken internally or have a short circuit. Enquire if any cabling work has been carried out recently. This may have disturbed the cable between the PC and the Timelink. Check the cable connections in both the Timelink and the 9 pin D socket that plugs into the comm port at the back of the PC. Ensure none of the wiring has snapped.
  • If your Torus installation includes a Fire Alarm Printer, check that the printer is On, is not out of paper and is online. It may be worth switching the Printer off and on again. If you use an Easy Buffer, again try switching in off and on by removing and replacing the power.
  • The PC comm port is faulty. Try plugging the Timelink cable into a spare comm port. Then open Torus Admin, select System and Timelinks. Now click on Autodetect to check if the Torus can now find the Timelink on the different comm port.
  • The Timelink requires resetting. It is certainly worthwhile reseting the Timelink by opening up the Timelink and pressing the blue button located on the circuit board behind the keypad.

Of course the Timelink itself could be faulty and will require a repair by an engineer.

Updates

If you are interested in upgrading Torus to a different Time & Attendance system, we recommend the Focus System. Focus is able to provide the shift rules and reports you currently use in Torus, plus a host of new and improved features.

Although Focus does not use the Timelink 4000 terminals, its native HRX5000 terminals are ideal replacements and should fit into your existing Timelink cabling structure as well as offering further options such a TCP/IP, modem and GSM modem communications.

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