VPS‑SIS Installation Guide

Vatican Philatelic Society – Stamp Inventory System (Portable Edition)

1. Accessing the SIS Download

Visit vaticanstamps.org and click the Member Page link in the upper‑right corner. Log in using your VPS member password.

Reminder: You must be logged in to download SIS.

Once logged in, select Album Page Downloads and scroll to the bottom to find the VPS Stamp Inventory System Downloads section. Click Download VPS‑SIS Programs.

Your browser will download a ZIP file containing the complete SIS system.

2. Locating the Downloaded ZIP File

Most systems save downloaded files to the Downloads folder. If not, check:

• Desktop
• Documents
• Your browser’s “Save As” location

The file will be named:

VPS-SIS.zip

3. Unzipping the SIS Package

Right‑click the ZIP file and select Extract All…. Choose a location where you want SIS to live:

• Desktop
• C:\VPS-SIS
• A USB memory stick

After extraction, you will have a folder named:

VPS-SIS

4. Where SIS Can Run From

SIS can run from either location depending on your preference:

Option A – Run SIS from the Memory Stick
Portable version. Plug in the stick and open the folder VPS-SIS.

Option B – Run SIS from Your Hard Drive
Recommended for most users. Fewer security restrictions, faster loading, and more stable.

Tip: Security software often blocks programs run from USB sticks. Running SIS from your hard drive avoids most of these issues.

5. Starting SIS

Open the folder VPS-SIS and double‑click:

sisserver.exe

A small black server window will appear. Then open your browser and type:

http://localhost:8080

The SIS home screen will load.

If Windows shows “Windows protected your PC,” click More info → Run anyway.

6. If SIS Does Not Start

1 – Check Your Security Software
Many programs block new apps, especially from USB sticks:
PC Matic, Norton, McAfee, Bitdefender, Trend Micro, Avast/AVG, Kaspersky, Webroot.

Add the VPS-SIS folder and sisserver.exe to your security program’s whitelist.

2 – Check Port 8080
SIS uses port 8080. If another program is using it, SIS cannot start.

To check:
Press Windows Key + R → type cmd → Enter → type:
netstat -ano | find ":8080"

3 – Check Installation Location
Make sure you are opening the correct VPS-SIS folder (USB or hard drive).

4 – Check for Windows SmartScreen
Click More info → Run anyway.

If SIS still does not start, your security software is almost certainly blocking it.

7. System Requirements

• Windows 10 or Windows 11
• At least 1 GB free disk space
• USB stick with 4 GB recommended (if using portable mode)
• Modern browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox)

Not supported: macOS, iPhones, iPads, Android devices.

8. Backup & Restore

To back up SIS, copy the entire VPS-SIS folder. This includes:

• Metadata
• Images
• Have/Want lists
• Reports
• SIS server executable

9. Tea, Donuts, and Feedback

SIS was crafted with care, caffeine, and donuts. Feedback is always welcome.