===== M300 Playback =====

The M300 Playback is a QNX software tool used to simulate the work environment of an M300 Data Acquisition System.  It has been used to "playback" the data collected in an *.sea file, such as data collected in flight by a variety of instruments.  It can also be useful to build, edit, and test M300 tables for a field project.  

In order to use this software, the __M300 Playback digital key__ is required, which can be plugged into any computer or laptop that has VMware Player software installed.  The M300 Playback key connects through USB, using a USB-to-serial-port cable.  This tutorial uses the IMPACTS Laptop as an example.
==== Running M300 Playback from IMPACTS Laptop ====

  - Ensure the M300 Playback key is physically connected via USB
  - Ensure all remaining USB ports are free of memory drives
  - Open **VMware Player** software icon located on the desktop
  - Double click on **QNX**, listed under Home on the left hand side
  - Allow a couple minutes for the QNX virtual machine to boot up... then **click into the workstation and hit enter** to receive a login prompt
  - Enter login: **und**

Now the QNX virtual machine will function just like the M300 Data Acquisition System.  Right click on the virtual desktop, select "Shell" to open a terminal.  Give the command: **m300** to start the M300 Playback software.


==== Shutting Down the M300 Playback ====

The QNX virtual machine has to be shut down properly, just like the M300 Data Acquisition System.  To properly shut down the machine, use the following steps.

  - Ensure the M300 Playback software has been exited out of, and close any open terminals
  - Right click on virtual desktop, **select "Shutdown"**
  - At the command prompt, give the command: **halt**
  - Wait a few seconds until it says "shutdown: System may now be powered down"...
  - On the keyboard, hit **Ctrl**+**Alt** to regain control of the mouse
  - On the top menu bar, click on "Virtual Machine"
  - Mouse over **"Power"**
  - Click on **"Power Off"**
  - Select **"Yes"**
  - Click on **"Power Off"**

==== Accessing the M300 Playback Drive's Stored Memory on the IMPACTS Laptop ====

  - Ensure the M300 Playback key is physically connected via USB 
  - **Open a terminal** by right clicking on desktop and selecting "Open in Terminal"
  - At a command prompt, navigate to the vmware directory using command: **cd /nas/vmware**
  - Mount the M300 Playback Drive by running the script with command: **./mount_fat.bash**
  - It will prompt for a sudo password.  Enter the sudo password (refer to "Password" label on IMPACTS Laptop).
  - Next, give command: **df** to see what drives are mounted.  You should see /Fat32_2GB listed at the bottom.
  - Navigate to /Fat32_2GB with command: **cd /Fat32_2GB**

Now you can access files stored on this drive, or add/remove files.  Keep in mind, the maximum capacity is only 2 GB.  Once finished accessing the drive, be sure to unmount the drive before disconnecting or before trying to run the M300 Playback software.  

//**Note: the M300 Playback software (QNX) cannot run while the /Fat32_2GB drive is mounted.**//

  - To unmount the drive, navigate to the vmware directory using command: **cd /nas/vmware**
  - Unmount the M300 Playback Drive by running the script with command: **./umount_fat.bash**
  - It will prompt for a sudo password.  Enter the sudo password (refer to "Password" label on IMPACTS Laptop).
  - Next, give command: **df** to see what drives are mounted.  You should no longer see /Fat32_2GB listed.

==== Accessing the M300 Playback Drive's Stored Memory from QNX VMware ====

  - Right click on the VMware desktop and open a shell
  - Enter superuser with command: **su**
  - Mount the drive with command: **./mount_fat.bash**
  - The stored memory on the playback key is now be mounted to __/dos/c__ which you can check using the command: **df**
  - Move files to and from as needed.  Keep in mind there is only a small disk space available (< 2GB total)
  - To unmount the stored memory, use command: **umount /dos/c**
  - Exit superuser with command: **exit**
//Note: nothing needs to be physically unplugged from the computer//
  - After unmounting the drive and exiting superuser, the M300 Playback software can be run as usual