1. Unpacking

If you bought a main controller through standard channels, it most likely arrived as either a (Box) object or a (Purchase) object.

The (Purchase) object registers your purchase with the NS redelivery system and prompts the NS product server to send you the actual (Box). If you did not receive a (Purchase) object, then your purchase was already registered at the time you paid for it.

Inside the (Box) object you will find another package called ARES (Box), typically with a version number in the middle, like ARES 0.5.6.2 (Box). This contains the actual operating system HUD, and you will need to unpack it also.

2. Turning on RLVa

ARES makes heavy usage of RLVa to provide effects and parse input commands. It is absolutely essential for the operating system to function.

Please note that when we say RLVa, we mean RLVa. Viewers based on Marine Kelley's original RestrainedLove implementation lack several key features, and will be rejected by ARES.

Currently, Firestorm is the only maintained viewer with full RLVa support, although you can also try building Alchemy from source.

Instructions for turning RLVa on in the Firestorm viewer can be found at the Firestorm Wiki.

If you absolutely hate the idea of RLVa, this is the wrong product for you. However, you do not need to consent to ownership or users to enjoy ARES.

3. Battery

Make sure you have also bought an NS-compatible battery. ARES robots must periodically recharge to remain functional, or they will shut down. Batteries purchased for older Companion units will work correctly.

If you forgot to pick up a battery at the NS main store, you can still buy one on the SL Marketplace.

Standard NS batteries are transferable, no-copy items that are delivered without a (Box) object, so be careful not to rez yours on the ground.

4. Attachments

Now you need to attach:

  • Your main controller (e.g. "DAX/3")
  • Your battery (e.g. "NS Nanite-Augmented Sonofusion Power Cell (13-7027-A)")
  • The ARES HUD (always called "ARES")

These will all be in separate folders in your inventory, so you will probably want to gather them together into a parent folder called "NS Products" or similar for organization.

There are many other items in the delivery packages; you can safely ignore them for now.

5. Gestures

Activate the ARES Alert Response gestures. These are named "ARES Alert Response A (F2)" through "ARES Alert Response D (F5)" and can be found in the same folder as your ARES HUD. They allow you to respond to special prompts by pressing the corresponding keyboard key.

Make sure you have no other gestures assigned to the same hotkeys as the ARES Alert Response gestures, as this can cause conflicts that cause the ARES gestures to not activate properly when their assigned keys are pressed.

6. Battery Installation

Touch your battery to ensure it is inserted. You may need assistance for this.

If you are using the Firestorm viewer, then you may right-click on your battery in your inventory and choose Touch instead of clicking the actual object.

7. Turning yourself on

Type @on in local chat to initiate the boot sequence. If you see the message Cannot power on: no battery is installed. then try touching your battery again, to ensure it is inserted.

8. Running autoexec.as

Look in the folder in your inventory where you received your main controller unit. There should be a notecard named autoexec.as there. Holding the Ctrl key (Command on Mac OS), drag this into the big "NS" logo at the bottom of your HUD. Without this step, you will not be able to access yourself!

A message should appear in the top-left corner of your screen saying an "autoexec script" has been found. Press F4 to run it. You must have the gestures enabled as described above.

Once the autoexec process has finished, you are now ready to run the Setup Wizard.

Next Tutorial: Running the Setup wizard