Introducing CleanRead Connect

Poor Wi-Fi shouldn’t stop you from testing or syncing. CleanRead Connect is a small Windows application that lets your CleanRead handheld sync with the CleanRead cloud through a computer’s internet connection, using nothing more than a USB cable.

It is useful wherever Wi-Fi is weak or unavailable, or where handhelds are not allowed on the Wi-Fi network.

How it works

Connect your handheld to a computer running CleanRead Connect with a USB cable. The handheld then reaches the CleanRead cloud through the computer’s internet connection, and you use it exactly as you would over Wi-Fi: log in, sync, download configuration and upload results.

When the handheld is connected and everything is working, it shows: “CleanRead Connect is ready. You can sync.”

Requirements

A CleanRead handheld with app version 11.6.1 or later (if you are on an older version, update the handheld from its settings)
A computer running Windows 10 or 11
At least one free USB port on the computer
An active internet connection on the computer
A USB cable to connect the handheld to the computer

Setting it up

1. Install CleanRead Connect on the computer

Download the installer: CleanReadConnect-Setup.exe
Run it and follow the steps (administrator rights are required).

The installer configures Windows Firewall and starts CleanRead Connect as a background service that runs whenever the computer is on. Nobody needs to log in, and there is nothing to launch manually. You only need to do this once per computer.

2. Turn it on in the handheld

On the handheld, open the settings.
Turn on Use CleanRead Connect.

If you don’t see this setting, first update the handheld from the settings, then look again.

3. Connect the handheld to the computer

Plug the handheld into the computer with the USB cable. The first time you do this, you may need to install the USB driver (see below). When the handheld shows “CleanRead Connect is ready. You can sync.”, you are ready to go.

Installing the USB driver (first time only)

When you connect the handheld to a computer for the first time, Windows may not recognize it automatically. If the handheld does not show that CleanRead Connect is ready, install the driver as follows:

On the computer, open Device Manager.
Check whether there is an Unknown device or an RNDIS device with an attention icon in the list.
Right-click it and select Update driver.
Select Browse my computer for drivers.
Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer. Select Network Adaptors then From the list of manufacturers and models, choose Manufacturer Microsoft and Model USB RNDIS Adapter.
Click Next and let Windows install the driver.
Disconnect USB cable and re-connect after 10 seconds.

You only need to do this once per computer.

Checking the status

CleanRead Connect adds a shortcut to the desktop that opens its status page. You can also open it in any browser on that computer at http://localhost:5049/.

The status page shows whether the service is running, whether the computer has internet access, whether the CleanRead cloud is reachable, and whether the firewall is configured correctly. Green means everything is working.

Automatic updates

CleanRead Connect checks for new versions every day and updates itself, without interrupting handhelds that are syncing. You never need to reinstall it.

Troubleshooting

If sync or login is not working, check the following:

The handheld setting. Make sure Use CleanRead Connect is turned on and the handheld app is version 11.6.1 or later. If the setting is missing, update the handheld from the settings.
The USB driver. If Windows shows an Unknown or RNDIS device with an attention icon in Device Manager, install the driver as described above.
CleanRead Connect is running. Open the status page and make sure every item is green. If the service is stopped, start the “CleanRead Connect” service in Windows Services.
The firewall. Make sure the “CleanRead Connect” inbound rule exists and is enabled in Windows Defender Firewall. The installer creates it for all network profiles. The handheld connected by USB is treated by Windows as a public network, even though it is only a local connection between the handheld and the computer.

If the problem continues, open the status page, download the logs and send the zip file to CleanRead support.

For IT administrators

CleanRead Connect listens on port 5049 on the computer.
It requires outbound HTTPS (TCP 443) access to rctestnow.com and its subdomains (*.rctestnow.com). No inbound access from the internet is needed.
It respects the system proxy settings, including Windows authentication.
Silent installation: CleanReadConnect-Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /SUPPRESSMSGBOXES /NORESTART
The installer and application are code-signed by Empire Bio Diagnostics.

Upgrading from ATP Proxy

CleanRead Connect replaces ATP Proxy. If a computer already has ATP Proxy installed, simply run the CleanRead Connect installer: it removes the older version automatically.