Here you learn how to run the PFGLab software on Apple with MacOS computers.

The PFGLab software is a native Windows application, but it can also work on MacOS using 3rd party software, like Wine, VMWare, Parallels Desktop and other software like PlayOnMac on which we will focus in here.

VMWare and Parallels Desktop requires for you to have a valid Windows license, thus, increasing the cost. For the amount you would pay for a Windows license you can actually get a used netbook and use it as a dedicated computer to use with Pulsed Technologies instruments.

Wine, however does not requires a Windows license, thus it does not requires for you to install Windows inside MacOS. It runs directly the Windows apps and emulates the necessary libraries for it to work. Using Wine straightforward is a little bit complicated and more for technical people.

But nowadays we have PlayOnMac, based on Wine, that is very easy to use and does not require much technical skills to be able to install and rund the app. PlayOnMac is FREE of charge!

Here are the steps. You have a video as well, below.

  1. Download & install PlayOnMac from www.playonmac.com. Just go with default settings.
  2. Download & install XQuarts from www.xquartz.org. XQuartz is required in order to be able to do some needed configuration. Go with default installation settings.
  3. Download the PFGLab software from our website, from here.
  4. Open PlayOnMac and click Install a program. 
  5. Go to Other and select from the bottom Install a non-listed program.
  6. Select that you want to “Install a program in a new virtual drive” and click Next.
  7. Set a name to the virtual drive (without spaces), like PulsedTech. Click Next.
  8. Click Next through the next 2 screens (default options). It will think for a minute.
  9. Click Browse button to point to the PFGLab setup file you have downloaded at step 3, usually named like “setup_pfglab_1.2.0.200.exe”. Click Open.
  10. Go through PFGLab software installation with default settings.
  11. In the process you will be asked to install drivers. Click Extract, then Next and then Finish.
  12. Now the installation is almost complete. UNCHECK “Run PFGLab v1.2.0.200”. Click Finish.
  13. When prompted to create a shortcut select PFGLab.exe from the list and let the default name (PFGLab)
  14. Optional, but recommended: When asked the second time to creat a shortcut, click TeamViewerQS.exe and let the default name (TeamViewerQS).
  15. When presented again to make yet another shortcut, just click on “I don’t want to make another shortcut” and click Next.
  16. Installation is complete. No click on Configure.
  17. Select PulsedTech (the name set at step 7). 
  18. Click on Miscellaneous tab.
  19. Click on Open Shell. (At this point a shell window opens. If no window opens, see step 2 where you need to download and install XQuartz).
  20. Make sure you connect PFG or P3PRO to your computer before continuing.
  21. Type “cd ../dosdevices/” and hit ENTER key.
  22. Type “ln -s /dev/tty.usbserial-” and press TAB key once. It should fill in automatically with the name of the usb serial device (as system sees it) It will look something like “tty.usbserial-WGVTGI9J”. Continue typing, add a SPACE and then add “com3”. In fact you can type any number after com, like com5 in the video. In the end it should look something like this:  “ln -s /dev/tty.usbserial-WGXXXXXXX com3” Press ENTER key.
  23. Type “exit” and hit ENTER. Shell window will close. 
  24. NOT ON VIDEO: Install XML required libraries: Click on Install components and scroll through the list and select “msxml30”.
  25. Now close the config window that you have open on the screen (hit X top left).
  26. Launch the PFGLab app from your desktop shortcut.
  27. Register the software like normally you do and you are ready to use your device on mac.

You can watch the a video guide here:

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Install PFGLab on MacOS using PlayOnMAc

Important notes:

  • the video guide does NOT shows you how to install the PlayOnMac (we assume that you have done that already – easy and straightforward to install it)
  • the video does NOT mention anything about XQuartz being needed (however it is mandatory in order to be able to set the com port number to a usb serial device, the PFG or P3PRO).
  • In case you have an error loading XML sessions into the app, then you have probably skipped step 25 where you need to install XML library from PlayOnMac Configuration – PulsedTech virtual drive – Install components and select msxml30.
  • In case you have in MacOS security warnings, go to your Mac Settings – Privacy and Allow apps from other sources