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X-Win32 for Windows

X-Win32 is an X Windows emulator. You can use X-Win32 to allow your PC to run X-based applications that are located on a remote UNIX system. For example, if you run X-Win32 on your own PC, then you can use your own PC to access and run the version of SAS installed on ACS.

Step 1: Download X-Win32

Boston University has a site-license for X-Win32, so you can use your BU login name and Kerberos password to download the software. Once you have gone through the installation instructions, please return to this page for information on configuring the software.

Step 2: Configure X-Win32 to access a UNIX system (e.g. ACS)

  1. From the Start menu or button, launch X-Config. If prompted, unblock the Windows firewall.
  2. Click on the Wizard button
  3. Give the Session a name (such as ACS) and select ssh before clicking on Next.
  4. Enter the Host you are connecting to, e.g., acs.bu.edu, and then click on Next.
  5. You can enter your username, but DO NOT enter your Kerberos password here; you will be prompted for it later, when you connect.
  6. Choose a “Command” for the remote host by first clicking on the type of UNIX host you want to connect to (for ACS, choose IBM-AIX, for Linux hosts, choose Linux). The appropriate command will get filled in for you. Then select Finish.
  7. You are now all set to launch X-Win32 from the menu. Once you launch X-Win32 you will be asked to choose a registration method. Choose Floating, then click Next, then do a right click with your mouse to paste the license key in, and then Finish. (If the license key does not paste in, you will need to copy it again. Return to the download page to copy it.)
  8. Once you see the X-Win32 icon in your TaskBar, you can then click on it, or do a right click, and use the MySessions menu to launch your session.
  9. If you have not already done so, you can now delete the x-win8x-xxxxsf.exe installer file.
  10. Want to get rid of the X-Win32 splash screen? Go to X-Config->Window and deselect that option.

Step 3: Use X-Win32

Getting into SAS on ACS

1. Make sure you first type “q” to quit out of any system messages

2. then type sas at the system prompt

If typing just “sas” doesn’t work, try typing /usr/vendor/bin/sas as described in the on-screen instructions that you’ll see.

Printing from an X-Windows SAS session

Is something not working properly?

Starnet’s Knowledge Base might helpful:

http://www.starnet.com/xwin32kb/ for example…
http://www.starnet.com/xwin32kb/Keyboard_not_working_on_AIX_systems/
http://www.starnet.com/xwin32kb/Buttons_and_Menu_items_not_working/

Information about other UNIX applications

Tutorials for SAS and other UNIX topics are free to the BU community and are listed at www.bu.edu/tech/training/classroom/unix/