Knowledge Base

Installation

2.1 Install The CatWalk XT Software

If you ordered a new computer from Noldus Information Technology when you purchased CatWalk XT, all the necessary software and hardware is already installed and tested. In that case, you only need to assemble and set up the CatWalk system.

See the CatWalk XT Assembly Instructions which you can find on the CatWalk XT installation package and in a printed version that came with the system.

To install the Ethernet card, see Appendix A: Install the Ethernet Card for the Camera.

Before You Install

Administrator Rights

To be able to install the CatWalk software you must have administrator rights, that is, either you are the system administrator or you have been assigned administrator rights. Windows Power Users cannot install CatWalk XT.

Do not run CatWalk XT for the first time as an administrator on a computer with multiple user accounts, because other, standard, users then are not able to run CatWalk XT.

Operating Systems

• Windows 10 Pro, version 22H2 or later. Please first do a Windows Update to install a compatible Windows 10 version, then install CatWalk XT. See https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-home-and-pro
• Windows 11 Pro.

Computer Requirements

CatWalk XT 11.0 has been tested on a Dell Precision T3660.

• Processor: Intel Core i7-11700, 16 MB Cache, 8 Core, 2.5 GHz to 4.9 GHz.
• Memory: 16 GB DDR5. The RAM minimum requirement for CatWalk XT is 16 GB.
• First hard disk: M.2 256 GB PCIe NVMe SSD.
• Second hard disk: 3.5 inch 1 TB SATA (7200 rpm).
• Graphics card: NVIDIA Quadro T1000, 4 GB.

USB-C Port

In order to connect the CatWalk Control Unit, the PC must have one USB-C port.

Ethernet Network Interface

You need a 10-Gb (gigabit) Ethernet network interface card for connecting the digital camera to the CatWalk XT computer. If you purchased the CatWalk XT computer from Noldus, the card is already installed and configured. If you use a different PC, see Appendix A: Install the Ethernet Card for the Camera.

Experiments From Previous Versions of CatWalk XT

If you have old experiments, first back up all your data to a secure location.

Experiments are stored by default in the folder: C:\Users\Public\(Public) Documents\Noldus\CatWalk XT\Experiments.

Please copy the complete folder of an experiment when transferring it to another folder on the same computer or to another computer.

Install CatWalk XT

Make sure you first install CatWalk XT before you connect the Control Unit to the CatWalk XT computer. First install the CatWalk XT software and then connect the hardware key to your computer, not the other way around.

If You Upgrade From Previous Versions

• From CatWalk XT 8.x / 9.x: CatWalk XT 11.0 is installed alongside CatWalk 8.x / 9.x. Experiments from CatWalk XT 8.x / 9.x are automatically converted to CatWalk XT 11.0 after opening them, and cannot be opened in the previous CatWalk XT version.
• From CatWalk XT 10.x: CatWalk XT 11.0 replaces CatWalk XT 10.x. Experiments from CatWalk XT 10.x are automatically converted to CatWalk XT 11.0 when you open them.

Experiments that are recorded with any version before 11.0 can only be analyzed. No additional acquisition is possible.

If you have CatWalk XT 10.6, we advise you to update the firmware of the Control Unit (Help > Upgrade Control Unit Firmware) before installing CatWalk XT 11.0. See the CatWalk XT 10.6 Reference Manual.

Installation Procedure

1. Download the CatWalk XT installation files from my.noldus.com.
2. Double-click the file CatWalk XT - Setup - [version number].exe.
3. In the Welcome screen of CatWalk XT, under Installation Type, select Standard. Optionally, choose Custom if you want to install the software in a location other than the default, specify another default location for your experiments, or specify which shortcuts to add to your desktop. Click Next.
4. Read the End-User License Agreement, select I Agree, and click Install.
5. Click Close when the message "Installation Complete" appears.

Installation Notes

• During the installation of CatWalk XT 11.0, the computer may restart automatically. Please wait until the installation is complete.
• Installation of the drivers for the Ethernet card is included in this installation. You do not have to take further action.
• The Basler camera software to control the camera (Pylon Runtime) is included in the installer. When this installer starts as part of the CatWalk installation, accept the license and install it. When it is done, click Finish. The CatWalk installer will then continue.

If Installation Fails

Use the Windows Control Panel to uninstall the following programs if they are present on your PC:

• Any previous CatWalk version.
• The eBUS SDK drivers (eBUS Runtime 64-bit).
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable - 14.40.xxx.

Standard File Locations

• Installation location: C:\Program Files\Noldus\CatWalk XT 11
• Experiments location: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Noldus\CatWalk XT\Experiments

Uninstall CatWalk XT

To remove CatWalk XT from your computer, do the following:

1. Click the Windows Start button and type "Programs" in the Search field. Choose Add or Remove Programs. Alternatively, open the Control Panel and choose Programs and Features.
2. In the Programs/Apps and Features window, select CatWalk XT 11 and click Uninstall.

Upgrade CatWalk XT

Prerequisites

• You have a CatWalk XT license and have purchased an upgrade.
• You received an Upgrade Key from Noldus, either in the Welcome letter or by email.
• If your license is on a USB hardware key, insert that key into a USB port of your CatWalk XT computer.

Upgrade Procedure

1. Download and install the newest CatWalk XT version from MyNoldus.com. You do not need to uninstall previous CatWalk XT versions.
2. After installation is complete, start CatWalk XT.
3. In the window that opens, choose Activate Software License Key.
4. Choose whether to activate online or offline.
5. Enter the Upgrade Key that you received from Noldus.

If your license is stored on a hardware key, you need to upgrade the license on that key. Make sure that the hardware key is plugged into the computer and the red LED on the key is on. After starting the newest CatWalk XT version, enter the Upgrade Key.