TECHNICAL

BULLETIN

Wärtsilä 2-stroke RT-159

Technical Services Issue 2, 11. June 2015

Security tips for flexView PC

Next opportunity

Information to all Owners and Operators of Related products and components

Wärtsilä RT-flex and W-X engines with WECS-9520 Any computer used as an operator
and a flexView PC interface for WECS-9520, also referred to
as flexView PC.

Current situation
Wärtsilä has received reports about
malfunctions of the flexView program
caused by virus infection or lack of
computer maintenance.

Preventive action
This Technical Bulletin gives advice on
how to minimise the risk of virus infections
and computer problems.

Note:
This Technical Bulletin Issue 2 supersedes
Technical Bulletin RT-159, Issue 1, dated
18. December 2013 due to the change of
the download tool location in the Wärtsilä
homepage.

Wärtsilä Services Switzerland Ltd. Tel (24h): +41 52 262 80 10

PO Box 414
CH-8401 Winterthur technicalsupport.chts@wartsila.com
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Contents
Page
1 Introduction 2
2 Consequences 2
3 Recommended flexView PC setup 2
4 Virus protection 4
5 General tips 5
6 Contacts 6

1 Introduction
Wärtsilä has received several reports about malfunctions of the flexView program
installed on the flexView PC because of virus infection and/or lack of maintenance of
the computer.
This Technical Bulletin gives security tips to increase the reliability of the flexView PC.

The flexView PC is used as the operator interface for RT-flex and W-X engines with
WECS-9520 control system. The ship operator is responsible for the maintenance of
the flexView PC. This includes adequate protection against virus attacks and assuring
the correct use of the computer.

2 Consequences
Incorrect use and/or insufficient maintenance can result in a malfunction of the flexView
program or the computer. As a result, the flexView PC cannot be used to monitor the
engine during operation. Also any change of user parameters is not possible until the
problem is solved.

3 Recommended flexView PC setup

Operate the flexView PC and its external devices with caution. This will decrease the
possibility of problems.

We recommend that you:

• Set the screensaver to OFF
• Set all power saving options to OFF

When the functions above are kept set to “on”, a break between the CAN BUS
interface and the USB port of the flexView can occur. If a break has occurred, the
flexView PC must be restarted.

• Correctly remove the USB mass storage device

• To prevent access problems to the flexView PC, do not use a password to start the
PC.
• Administrator rights are required to install/reinstall software.
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• Drivers for the IXXAT USB-to-CAN adapter are written specifically for Wärtsilä,
therefore the ones available on the IXXAT website are not compatible.
Incorrectly connected adapters on the BUS side, and broken/loose USB ports can
also cause a flexView failure.
• Disconnecting the USB-to-CAN adapter while the flexView program is running can
cause a system crash.
• For additional information about the flexView program, refer to the “Operator
flexView” manual which can be found on the “flexView-USB-Stick”.

NOTE:
The latest flexView version can be downloaded from the Wartsila webpage,
see Figure 1.
The ZIP-file “FLEXVIEW INSTALLATION” (1) can be downloaded from any computer
with internet access.

Please proceed as follows:

• Use the link below to go to the application site on the Wärtsilä webpage:
http://www.wartsila.com/products/marine-oil-gas/engines-generating-sets/low-
speed-rt-flex-engines

1. flexView installation, ZIP-file

Figure 1, Location of link to ZIP-file on Wärtsilä webpage
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• Backup the folder (2) and files (4 and 5) on the CD every two to three months, see
Figure 2.
Document names can be different and are related to the application plant or vessel
installation. DSME4160 as used and shown in Figure 2 is an example of a
plant/vessel specific designation.

1
2

1. Folder location on PC drive 4. Data files DSME4160-000X.h5

2. Folder flexZip 5. File DSME4160-Failure.mbd
3. Plant/vessel specified name
Figure 2, Example of folder and files for backup

4 Virus protection
• We recommend protecting the flexView PC against viruses, however, make sure
that the MS Access .mdb files are not treated as threats.
• Make sure that you still have access to the system folders and settings.
• If possible, use a (new) CD-R to retrieve data from the flexView PCs.
• Disable autorun.inf on the flexView PC. By doing so, the automatic installation of
malware is being avoided.
Additional information can be found on http://support.microsoft.com/kb/967715/en
• Do not double-click the left mouse button to open USB storage devices. Always use
the right-click function on the mouse.
• Scan the USB storage device and/or other external equipment for malware before
use.
• Make sure that Windows security updates are done regularely
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5 General tips
5.1 Good to know and to do
Run a disk utility scan (disc scanner) regularly. In addition, if the flexView PC crashes
or if you accidentally shut it down without going through the correct shutdown
procedure, run a disk scan as soon as you reboot.

Backing up your files simply means:

Make a copy of the files so that if the originals are lost or damaged, you can use the
copy.

Never try to manually delete an application on a Windows system. Most applications

make additions to system files when you install them, so you have to use the related
uninstall program.

NOTE:
Drivers for IXXAT USB-to-CAN adapter are written specifically for Wärtsilä and different
to the versions available on the IXXAT website and therefore they are not compatible.

Keep your Windows based computer up-to-date via the Windows Update Service.

Dust can cause internal components to overheat and clog the ventilation slots. We
advise that you keep the PC clean and free from dust.
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6 Contacts
6.1 How to contact Wärtsilä
For questions about the content of this Technical Bulletin, or if you need Wärtsilä
assistance, services, spare parts and/or tools, please contact your nearest Wärtsilä
representative.
If you don’t have the contact details at hand, please follow the link “Contact us” – “24h
Services” on the Wärtsilä webpage:
www.wartsila.com

6.2 Contact details for emergency issues

6.2.1 Operational support
For questions concerning operational issues, please send your enquiry to:
technicalsupport.chts@wartsila.com
or phone 24hrs support: +41 52 262 80 10.

6.2.2 Field service

If you need Wärtsilä Field Service, please send your enquiry to:
Ch.Fieldservice@wartsila.com
or phone 24hrs support: +41 79 255 68 80.

6.2.3 Spare parts

If you need Wärtsilä spare parts and/or tools, please contact your nearest Wärtsilä
representative or your key account manager.

© 2015 Wärtsilä Services Switzerland Ltd. – All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, graphic, photocopying,
recording, taping or other information retrieval systems) without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. Wärtsilä Services
Switzerland Ltd. makes no representation, warranty (express or implied) in this publication and assumes no responsibility for the
correctness, errors or omissions for information contained herein. Information in this publication is subject to change without notice.

Unless otherwise expressly set forth, no recommendation contained in this document or any of its appendices is to be construed as
provided due to a defect of the product, but merely as an improvement of the product and/or the maintenance procedures relating thereto.
Any actions by the owner/operator as a result of the recommendations are not covered under any warranty provided by Wärtsilä and such
actions will thus be at the owners/operators own cost and expense.

NO LIABILITY WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL, IS ASSUMED WITH RESPECT TO
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. THIS PUBLICATION IS CONFIDENTIAL AND INTENDED FOR INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY.