diff --git a/Modules/IGTUI/Qmitk/QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget.cpp b/Modules/IGTUI/Qmitk/QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget.cpp
index 6fd11ab266..270e14a7bd 100644
--- a/Modules/IGTUI/Qmitk/QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget.cpp
+++ b/Modules/IGTUI/Qmitk/QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget.cpp
@@ -1,683 +1,716 @@
 /*===================================================================
 
 The Medical Imaging Interaction Toolkit (MITK)
 
 Copyright (c) German Cancer Research Center,
 Division of Medical and Biological Informatics.
 All rights reserved.
 
 This software is distributed WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without
 even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR
 A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
 
 See LICENSE.txt or http://www.mitk.org for details.
 
 ===================================================================*/
 
 #include "QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget.h"
 #include <mitkClaronTrackingDevice.h>
 #include <mitkNDITrackingDevice.h>
 #include <mitkOptitrackTrackingDevice.h>
 #include <mitkIGTException.h>
 #include <mitkSerialCommunication.h>
 #include <mitkProgressBar.h>
 #include <qscrollbar.h>
 #include <qmessagebox.h>
 #include <qfiledialog.h>
 #include <mitkIGTException.h>
+#include <QSettings>
 
 #include <itksys/SystemTools.hxx>
 #include <Poco/Path.h>
 
 
 
 const std::string QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::VIEW_ID = "org.mitk.views.trackingdeviceconfigurationwidget";
 
 QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget(QWidget* parent, Qt::WindowFlags f)
   : QWidget(parent, f)
 {
   //initialize worker thread
   m_TestConnectionWorker = new QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidgetConnectionWorker();
   m_ScanPortsWorker = new QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidgetScanPortsWorker();
   m_ScanPortsWorkerThread = new QThread();
   m_TestConnectionWorkerThread = new QThread();
 
   m_Controls = NULL;
   CreateQtPartControl(this);
   CreateConnections();
   m_MTCalibrationFile = "";
 
   //reset a few things
   ResetOutput();
   AddOutput("<br>NDI Polaris selected");
   this->m_TrackingDeviceConfigurated = false;
 
   m_AdvancedUserControl = true;
 }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::SetGUIStyle(QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::Style style)
 {
 switch(style)
   {
   case QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::SIMPLE:
 
     //move all UI elements to an empty dummy layout
     //m_Controls->dummyLayout->addItem(m_Controls->mainLayout);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->widget_title_label);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->choose_tracking_device_label);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->polaris_label);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->aurora_label);
     //m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->aurora_label);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->microntracker_label);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_testConnectionMicronTracker);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_outputTextMicronTracker);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_outputTextAurora);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_testConnectionAurora);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_outputTextPolaris);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_testConnectionPolaris);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_polarisTrackingModeBox);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_testConnectionOptitrack);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_outputTextOptitrack);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_OptitrackExp);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_OptitrackThr);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_OptitrackLed);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->Optitrack_label);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_finishedLine);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->line);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->configuration_finished_label);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addItem(m_Controls->horizontalLayout_4);
     m_Controls->mainLayout->removeItem(m_Controls->horizontalLayout_4);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->configuration_finished_label);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addItem(m_Controls->verticalSpacer_2);
     m_Controls->verticalLayout_3->removeItem(m_Controls->verticalSpacer_2);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addItem(m_Controls->horizontalSpacer_9);
     m_Controls->horizontalLayout_9->removeItem(m_Controls->horizontalSpacer_9);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addItem(m_Controls->horizontalSpacer_3);
     m_Controls->horizontalLayout_11->removeItem(m_Controls->horizontalSpacer_3);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addItem(m_Controls->verticalSpacer_3);
     m_Controls->verticalLayout_7->removeItem(m_Controls->verticalSpacer_3);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addItem(m_Controls->verticalSpacer_4);
     m_Controls->verticalLayout_10->removeItem(m_Controls->verticalSpacer_4);
     m_Controls->dummyLayout->addItem(m_Controls->horizontalSpacer_10);
     m_Controls->verticalLayout_10->removeItem(m_Controls->horizontalSpacer_10);
 
     //set height to min
     m_Controls->m_outputTextPolaris->setMinimumHeight(0);
     m_Controls->m_outputTextPolaris->setMaximumHeight(0);
     m_Controls->m_outputTextMicronTracker->setMinimumHeight(0);
     m_Controls->m_outputTextMicronTracker->setMaximumHeight(0);
     m_Controls->m_outputTextAurora->setMinimumHeight(0);
     m_Controls->m_outputTextAurora->setMaximumHeight(0);
     m_Controls->m_finishedButton->setMinimumHeight(0);
     m_Controls->m_finishedButton->setMaximumHeight(0);
     m_Controls->m_resetButton->setMinimumHeight(0);
     m_Controls->m_resetButton->setMaximumHeight(0);
 
 
     //set the height of the tracking device combo box
     m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->setMinimumHeight(50);
 
     //move back the used elemets to the main layout
     m_Controls->simpleLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser);
     m_Controls->simpleLayout->addWidget(m_Controls->m_TrackingSystemWidget);
 
     m_Controls->mainWidget->setCurrentIndex(1);
 
     this->setMaximumHeight(150);
 
     this->EnableAdvancedUserControl(false);
 
 
     break;
 
   case QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::ADVANCED:
 
     //default at the moment => start settings are advanced
 
     break;
 
   }
 
 }
 
 QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::~QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget()
 {
 StoreUISettings();
 if (m_ScanPortsWorker) delete m_ScanPortsWorker;
 if (m_TestConnectionWorker) delete m_TestConnectionWorker;
 if (m_ScanPortsWorkerThread) delete m_ScanPortsWorkerThread;
 if (m_TestConnectionWorkerThread) delete m_TestConnectionWorkerThread;
 }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::CreateQtPartControl(QWidget *parent)
 {
   if (!m_Controls)
   {
   // create GUI widgets
   m_Controls = new Ui::QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidgetControls;
   m_Controls->setupUi(parent);
   }
 }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::CreateConnections()
 {
   if ( m_Controls )
   {
     connect( (QObject*)(m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser), SIGNAL(currentIndexChanged(int)), this, SLOT(TrackingDeviceChanged()) );
     connect( (QObject*)(m_Controls->m_testConnectionPolaris), SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(TestConnection()) );
     connect( (QObject*)(m_Controls->m_testConnectionAurora), SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(TestConnection()) );
     connect( (QObject*)(m_Controls->m_testConnectionMicronTracker), SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(TestConnection()) );
     connect( (QObject*)(m_Controls->m_testConnectionOptitrack), SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(TestConnection()) );
     connect( (QObject*)(m_Controls->m_resetButton), SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(ResetByUser()) );
     connect( (QObject*)(m_Controls->m_finishedButton), SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(Finished()) );
     connect( (QObject*)(m_Controls->m_AutoScanPolaris), SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(AutoScanPorts()) );
     connect( (QObject*)(m_Controls->m_AutoScanAurora), SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(AutoScanPorts()) );
     connect( (QObject*)(m_Controls->m_SetMTCalibrationFile), SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(SetMTCalibrationFileClicked()) );
     connect( (QObject*)(m_Controls->m_SetOptitrackCalibrationFile), SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(SetOptitrackCalibrationFileClicked()) );
 
     //slots for the worker thread
     connect(m_ScanPortsWorker, SIGNAL(PortsScanned(int,int,QString,int,int)), this, SLOT(AutoScanPortsFinished(int,int,QString,int,int)) );
     connect(m_TestConnectionWorker, SIGNAL(ConnectionTested(bool,QString)), this, SLOT(TestConnectionFinished(bool,QString)) );
     connect(m_ScanPortsWorkerThread,SIGNAL(started()), m_ScanPortsWorker, SLOT(ScanPortsThreadFunc()) );
     connect(m_TestConnectionWorkerThread,SIGNAL(started()), m_TestConnectionWorker, SLOT(TestConnectionThreadFunc()) );
 
     //move the worker to the thread
     m_ScanPortsWorker->moveToThread(m_ScanPortsWorkerThread);
     m_TestConnectionWorker->moveToThread(m_TestConnectionWorkerThread);
 
     //set a few UI components depending on Windows / Linux
     #ifdef WIN32
     m_Controls->portTypeLabelPolaris->setVisible(false);
     m_Controls->portTypePolaris->setVisible(false);
     m_Controls->portTypeLabelAurora->setVisible(false);
     m_Controls->portTypeAurora->setVisible(false);
     #else
     m_Controls->comPortLabelAurora->setText("Port Nr:");
     m_Controls->m_comPortLabelPolaris->setText("Port Nr:");
     m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxAurora->setPrefix("");
     m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxPolaris->setPrefix("");
     #endif
 
     //disable unused UI component
     m_Controls->m_polarisTrackingModeBox->setVisible(false); //don't delete this component, because it is used in the MBI part of MITK
   }
   LoadUISettings();
 }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::TrackingDeviceChanged()
 {
   //show the correspondig widget
   m_Controls->m_TrackingSystemWidget->setCurrentIndex(m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex());
 
   //the new trackingdevice is not configurated yet
   m_TrackingDeviceConfigurated = false;
 
   //reset output
   ResetOutput();
 
   //print output and do further initializations
   if (m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex()==0)//NDI Polaris
     {
     AddOutput("<br>NDI Polaris selected");
     }
   else if (m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex()==1)  //NDI Aurora
     {
     AddOutput("<br>NDI Aurora selected");
     }
   else if (m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex()==2) //ClaronTechnology MicronTracker 2
     {
     AddOutput("<br>Microntracker selected");
     if (!mitk::ClaronTrackingDevice::New()->IsDeviceInstalled())
       {
       AddOutput("<br>ERROR: not installed!");
       }
     else if (this->m_MTCalibrationFile == "") //if configuration file for MicronTracker is empty: load default
       {
       mitk::ClaronTrackingDevice::Pointer tempDevice = mitk::ClaronTrackingDevice::New();
       m_MTCalibrationFile = tempDevice->GetCalibrationDir();
       Poco::Path myPath = Poco::Path(m_MTCalibrationFile.c_str());
       m_Controls->m_MTCalibrationFile->setText("Calibration File: " + QString(myPath.getFileName().c_str()));
       }
     }
   else if (m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex()==3)
   {
     AddOutput("<br>Optitrack selected");
     if (!mitk::OptitrackTrackingDevice::New()->IsDeviceInstalled())
       {
       AddOutput("<br>ERROR: not installed!");
       }
   }
 
 emit TrackingDeviceSelectionChanged();
 }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::EnableUserReset(bool enable)
 {
   if (enable) m_Controls->m_resetButton->setVisible(true);
   else m_Controls->m_resetButton->setVisible(false);
 }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::TestConnection()
 {
 this->setEnabled(false);
 //construct a tracking device:
 mitk::TrackingDevice::Pointer testTrackingDevice = ConstructTrackingDevice();
 m_TestConnectionWorker->SetTrackingDevice(testTrackingDevice);
 m_TestConnectionWorkerThread->start();
 emit ProgressStarted();
 }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::TestConnectionFinished(bool connected, QString output)
 {
 m_TestConnectionWorkerThread->quit();
 AddOutput(output.toStdString());
 MITK_INFO << "Test connection: " << connected;
 this->setEnabled(true);
 emit ProgressFinished();
 }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::Finished()
   {
   m_TrackingDevice = ConstructTrackingDevice();
   m_Controls->m_TrackingSystemWidget->setEnabled(false);
   m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->setEnabled(false);
   m_Controls->choose_tracking_device_label->setEnabled(false);
   m_Controls->configuration_finished_label->setText("<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC \"-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN\" \"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/strict.dtd\">\n<html><head><meta name=\"qrichtext\" content=\"1\" /><style type=\"text/css\">\np, li { white-space: pre-wrap; }\n</style></head><body style=\" font-family:\'MS Shell Dlg 2\'; font-size:8.25pt; font-weight:400; font-style:normal;\">\n<p align=\"right\" style=\" margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px; -qt-block-indent:0; text-indent:0px; font-size:8pt;\"><span style=\" font-weight:600;\">Configuration finished</span></p></body></html>");
   this->m_TrackingDeviceConfigurated = true;
   emit TrackingDeviceConfigurationFinished();
   }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::Reset()
   {
   m_TrackingDevice = NULL;
   m_Controls->m_TrackingSystemWidget->setEnabled(true);
   m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->setEnabled(true);
   m_Controls->choose_tracking_device_label->setEnabled(true);
   m_Controls->configuration_finished_label->setText("<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC \"-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN\" \"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/strict.dtd\">\n<html><head><meta name=\"qrichtext\" content=\"1\" /><style type=\"text/css\">\np, li { white-space: pre-wrap; }\n</style></head><body style=\" font-family:\'MS Shell Dlg 2\'; font-size:8.25pt; font-weight:400; font-style:normal;\">\n<p align=\"right\" style=\" margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px; -qt-block-indent:0; text-indent:0px; font-size:8pt;\"><span style=\" font-weight:600;\">Press \"Finished\" to confirm configuration</span></p></body></html>");
   this->m_TrackingDeviceConfigurated = false;
   emit TrackingDeviceConfigurationReseted();
   }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::ResetByUser()
   {
   Reset();
   }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::AutoScanPorts()
   {
   this->setEnabled(false);
   AddOutput("<br>Scanning...");
   m_ScanPortsWorkerThread->start();
   emit ProgressStarted();
   }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::AutoScanPortsFinished(int PolarisPort, int AuroraPort, QString result, int PortTypePolaris, int PortTypeAurora)
   {
   m_ScanPortsWorkerThread->quit();
   #ifdef WIN32
     if((PortTypePolaris!=-1)||(PortTypeAurora!=-1)) {MITK_WARN << "Port type is specified although this should not be the case for Windows. Ignoring port type.";}
   #else //linux systems
     if (PortTypePolaris!=-1) {m_Controls->portTypePolaris->setCurrentIndex(PortTypePolaris);}
     if (PortTypeAurora!=-1)  {m_Controls->portTypeAurora->setCurrentIndex(PortTypeAurora);}
   #endif
   m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxPolaris->setValue(PolarisPort);
   m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxAurora->setValue(AuroraPort);
   AddOutput(result.toStdString());
   this->setEnabled(true);
   emit ProgressFinished();
   }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::SetMTCalibrationFileClicked()
   {
   std::string filename = QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(NULL,tr("Open Calibration File"), "/", "*.*").toAscii().data();
   if (filename=="") {return;}
   else
     {
     m_MTCalibrationFile = filename;
     Poco::Path myPath = Poco::Path(m_MTCalibrationFile.c_str());
     m_Controls->m_MTCalibrationFile->setText("Calibration File: " + QString(myPath.getFileName().c_str()));
     }
   }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::SetOptitrackCalibrationFileClicked()
   {
   std::string filename = QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(NULL,tr("Open Calibration File"), "/", "*.*").toAscii().data();
   if (filename=="") {return;}
   else
     {
     m_OptitrackCalibrationFile = filename;
     Poco::Path myPath = Poco::Path(m_OptitrackCalibrationFile.c_str());
     m_Controls->m_OptitrackCalibrationFile->setText("Calibration File: " + QString(myPath.getFileName().c_str()));
     }
   }
 //######################### internal help methods #######################################
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::ResetOutput()
   {
   m_output.str("");
   m_output <<"<body style=\" font-family:\'MS Shell Dlg 2\'; font-size:7pt; font-weight:400; font-style:normal;\" bgcolor=black><span style=\"color:#ffffff;\"><u>output:</u>";
   m_Controls->m_outputTextAurora->setHtml(QString(m_output.str().c_str()));
   m_Controls->m_outputTextPolaris->setHtml(QString(m_output.str().c_str()));
   m_Controls->m_outputTextMicronTracker->setHtml(QString(m_output.str().c_str()));
   }
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::AddOutput(std::string s)
   {
   //print output
   m_output << s;
   m_Controls->m_outputTextAurora->setHtml(QString(m_output.str().c_str()));
   m_Controls->m_outputTextPolaris->setHtml(QString(m_output.str().c_str()));
   m_Controls->m_outputTextMicronTracker->setHtml(QString(m_output.str().c_str()));
   m_Controls->m_outputTextOptitrack->setHtml(QString(m_output.str().c_str()));
   m_Controls->m_outputTextPolaris->verticalScrollBar()->setValue(m_Controls->m_outputTextPolaris->verticalScrollBar()->maximum());
   m_Controls->m_outputTextAurora->verticalScrollBar()->setValue(m_Controls->m_outputTextAurora->verticalScrollBar()->maximum());
   m_Controls->m_outputTextMicronTracker->verticalScrollBar()->setValue(m_Controls->m_outputTextMicronTracker->verticalScrollBar()->maximum());
   m_Controls->m_outputTextOptitrack->verticalScrollBar()->setValue(m_Controls->m_outputTextOptitrack->verticalScrollBar()->maximum());
   repaint();
   }
 mitk::TrackingDevice::Pointer QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::ConstructTrackingDevice()
   {
   mitk::TrackingDevice::Pointer returnValue;
   //#### Step 1: configure tracking device:
   if (m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex()==0)//NDI Polaris
       {
       if(m_Controls->m_radioPolaris5D->isChecked()) //5D Tracking
         {
         //not yet in the open source part so we'll only get NULL here.
         returnValue = ConfigureNDI5DTrackingDevice();
         }
       else //6D Tracking
         {
         returnValue = ConfigureNDI6DTrackingDevice();
         returnValue->SetType(mitk::NDIPolaris);
         }
       }
   else if (m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex()==1)//NDI Aurora
         {
         returnValue = ConfigureNDI6DTrackingDevice();
         returnValue->SetType(mitk::NDIAurora);
         }
   else if (m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex()==2)//ClaronTechnology MicronTracker 2
         {
 
         mitk::ClaronTrackingDevice::Pointer newDevice = mitk::ClaronTrackingDevice::New();
         if(this->m_MTCalibrationFile=="") AddOutput("<br>Warning: Calibration file is not set!");
         else
           {
           //extract path from calibration file and set the calibration dir of the device
           std::string path =  itksys::SystemTools::GetFilenamePath(m_MTCalibrationFile);
           newDevice->SetCalibrationDir(path);
           }
         returnValue = newDevice;
         }
   else if (m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex()==3)
   {
     // Create the Tracking Device this->m_OptitrackDevice = mitk::OptitrackTrackingDevice::New();
     returnValue = ConfigureOptitrackTrackingDevice();
     returnValue->SetType(mitk::NPOptitrack);
   }
   return returnValue;
   }
 
 mitk::TrackingDevice::Pointer QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::ConfigureNDI5DTrackingDevice()
   {
   return NULL;
   }
 
 mitk::TrackingDevice::Pointer QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::ConfigureOptitrackTrackingDevice()
   {
   mitk::OptitrackTrackingDevice::Pointer tempTrackingDevice = mitk::OptitrackTrackingDevice::New();
   // Set the calibration File
   tempTrackingDevice->SetCalibrationPath(m_OptitrackCalibrationFile);
 
   //Set the camera parameters
   tempTrackingDevice->SetExp(m_Controls->m_OptitrackExp->value());
   tempTrackingDevice->SetLed(m_Controls->m_OptitrackLed->value());
   tempTrackingDevice->SetThr(m_Controls->m_OptitrackThr->value());
 
   mitk::TrackingDevice::Pointer returnValue = static_cast<mitk::TrackingDevice*>(tempTrackingDevice);
   return returnValue;
   }
 
 mitk::TrackingDevice::Pointer QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::ConfigureNDI6DTrackingDevice()
   {
   mitk::NDITrackingDevice::Pointer tempTrackingDevice = mitk::NDITrackingDevice::New();
 
   //get port
   int port = 0;
   if (m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex()==1) port = m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxAurora->value();
   else port = m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxPolaris->value();
 
   //build prefix (depends on linux/win)
   QString prefix = "";
   #ifdef WIN32
   prefix ="COM";
   tempTrackingDevice->SetPortNumber(static_cast<mitk::SerialCommunication::PortNumber>(port)); //also set the com port for compatibility
   #else
   if (m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex()==1) //Aurora
     prefix = m_Controls->portTypeAurora->currentText();
   else //Polaris
     prefix = m_Controls->portTypePolaris->currentText();
   #endif
 
   //build port name string
   QString portName = prefix + QString::number(port);
 
   tempTrackingDevice->SetDeviceName(portName.toStdString()); //set the port name
   tempTrackingDevice->SetBaudRate(mitk::SerialCommunication::BaudRate115200);//set baud rate
   mitk::TrackingDevice::Pointer returnValue = static_cast<mitk::TrackingDevice*>(tempTrackingDevice);
   return returnValue;
   }
 
 mitk::TrackingDevice::Pointer QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::GetTrackingDevice()
   {
   if (!m_AdvancedUserControl) m_TrackingDevice = ConstructTrackingDevice();
   if (m_TrackingDevice.IsNull() || !m_TrackingDevice->IsDeviceInstalled()) return NULL;
   else return this->m_TrackingDevice;
   }
 
 bool QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::GetTrackingDeviceConfigured()
   {
   return this->m_TrackingDeviceConfigurated;
   }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::ConfigurationFinished()
   {
   Finished();
 
   }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::EnableAdvancedUserControl(bool enable)
   {
   m_AdvancedUserControl = enable;
   m_Controls->configuration_finished_label->setVisible(enable);
   m_Controls->m_finishedLine->setVisible(enable);
   m_Controls->m_resetButton->setVisible(enable);
   m_Controls->m_finishedButton->setVisible(enable);
   }
 
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::StoreUISettings()
 {
-std::string id = "org.mitk.modules.igt.ui.trackingdeviceconfigurationwidget";
-if (!this->GetPeristenceService())
+  std::string id = "org.mitk.modules.igt.ui.trackingdeviceconfigurationwidget";
+  if ( this->GetPeristenceService() )
   {
-  MITK_ERROR << "Persistence service not available, could not store UI settings!";
-  return;
+    mitk::PropertyList::Pointer propList = this->GetPeristenceService()->GetPropertyList(id);
+    propList->Set("PolarisPortWin",m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxPolaris->value());
+    propList->Set("AuroraPortWin",m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxAurora->value());
+    propList->Set("PortTypePolaris", m_Controls->portTypePolaris->currentIndex());
+    propList->Set("PortTypeAurora", m_Controls->portTypeAurora->currentIndex());
+    propList->Set("MTCalibrationFile",m_MTCalibrationFile);
+    propList->Set("SelectedDevice",m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex());
+  }
+  else
+  {
+    // QSettings as a fallback if the persistence service is not available
+    QSettings settings;
+
+    settings.beginGroup(QString::fromStdString(id));
+
+    settings.setValue("trackingDeviceChooser", QVariant(m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex()));
+    settings.setValue("portSpinBoxAurora", QVariant(m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxAurora->value()));
+    settings.setValue("portSpinBoxPolaris", QVariant(m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxPolaris->value()));
+    settings.setValue("portTypePolaris", QVariant(m_Controls->portTypePolaris->currentIndex()));
+    settings.setValue("portTypeAurora", QVariant(m_Controls->portTypeAurora->currentIndex()));
+    settings.setValue("mTCalibrationFile", QVariant(QString::fromStdString(m_MTCalibrationFile)));
+
+    settings.endGroup();
   }
-mitk::PropertyList::Pointer propList = this->GetPeristenceService()->GetPropertyList(id);
-propList->Set("PolarisPortWin",m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxPolaris->value());
-propList->Set("AuroraPortWin",m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxAurora->value());
-propList->Set("PortTypePolaris", m_Controls->portTypePolaris->currentIndex());
-propList->Set("PortTypeAurora", m_Controls->portTypeAurora->currentIndex());
-propList->Set("MTCalibrationFile",m_MTCalibrationFile);
-propList->Set("SelectedDevice",m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->currentIndex());
 }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidget::LoadUISettings()
 {
-std::string id = "org.mitk.modules.igt.ui.trackingdeviceconfigurationwidget";
-if (!this->GetPeristenceService())
-  {MITK_ERROR << "Persistence service not available, could not load UI settings!"; return;}
-mitk::PropertyList::Pointer propList = this->GetPeristenceService()->GetPropertyList(id);
-if (propList.IsNull())
-  {MITK_ERROR << "Property list for this UI (" << id <<") is not available, could not load UI settings!"; return;}
-int portPolarisWin,portAuroraWin,portTypePolaris,portTypeAurora,SelectedDevice;
-propList->Get("PolarisPortWin",portPolarisWin);
-propList->Get("AuroraPortWin",portAuroraWin);
-propList->Get("PortTypePolaris", portTypePolaris);
-propList->Get("PortTypeAurora", portTypeAurora);
-propList->Get("MTCalibrationFile",m_MTCalibrationFile);
-propList->Get("SelectedDevice",SelectedDevice);
-if (SelectedDevice<0)
+  std::string id = "org.mitk.modules.igt.ui.trackingdeviceconfigurationwidget";
+  if ( this->GetPeristenceService() )
   {
-  MITK_ERROR << "Loaded data from persistence service is invalid (SelectedDevice:" <<SelectedDevice<<"): aborted to restore data!";
-  return;
+    mitk::PropertyList::Pointer propList = this->GetPeristenceService()->GetPropertyList(id);
+    if (propList.IsNull())
+    {MITK_ERROR << "Property list for this UI (" << id <<") is not available, could not load UI settings!"; return;}
+    int portPolarisWin,portAuroraWin,portTypePolaris,portTypeAurora,SelectedDevice;
+    propList->Get("PolarisPortWin",portPolarisWin);
+    propList->Get("AuroraPortWin",portAuroraWin);
+    propList->Get("PortTypePolaris", portTypePolaris);
+    propList->Get("PortTypeAurora", portTypeAurora);
+    propList->Get("MTCalibrationFile",m_MTCalibrationFile);
+    propList->Get("SelectedDevice",SelectedDevice);
+    if (SelectedDevice<0)
+    {
+      MITK_ERROR << "Loaded data from persistence service is invalid (SelectedDevice:" <<SelectedDevice<<"): aborted to restore data!";
+      return;
+    }
+    m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxPolaris->setValue(portPolarisWin);
+    m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxAurora->setValue(portAuroraWin);
+    m_Controls->portTypePolaris->setCurrentIndex(portTypePolaris);
+    m_Controls->portTypeAurora->setCurrentIndex(portTypeAurora);
+    m_Controls->m_TrackingSystemWidget->setCurrentIndex(SelectedDevice);
+    m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->setCurrentIndex(SelectedDevice);
+    MITK_INFO << "Sucessfully restored UI settings";
   }
-m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxPolaris->setValue(portPolarisWin);
-m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxAurora->setValue(portAuroraWin);
-m_Controls->portTypePolaris->setCurrentIndex(portTypePolaris);
-m_Controls->portTypeAurora->setCurrentIndex(portTypeAurora);
-m_Controls->m_TrackingSystemWidget->setCurrentIndex(SelectedDevice);
-m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->setCurrentIndex(SelectedDevice);
-m_Controls->m_MTCalibrationFile->setText("Calibration File: " + QString(m_MTCalibrationFile.c_str()));
-MITK_INFO << "Sucessfully restored UI settings";
+  else
+  {
+    // QSettings as a fallback if the persistence service is not available
+    QSettings settings;
+
+    settings.beginGroup(QString::fromStdString(id));
+
+    m_Controls->m_trackingDeviceChooser->setCurrentIndex(settings.value("trackingDeviceChooser", 0).toInt());
+    m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxAurora->setValue(settings.value("portSpinBoxAurora", 0).toInt());
+    m_Controls->m_portSpinBoxPolaris->setValue(settings.value("portSpinBoxPolaris", 0).toInt());
+    m_Controls->portTypePolaris->setCurrentIndex(settings.value("portTypePolaris", 0).toInt());
+    m_Controls->portTypeAurora->setCurrentIndex(settings.value("portTypeAurora", 0).toInt());
+    m_MTCalibrationFile = settings.value("mTCalibrationFile", "").toString().toStdString();
+
+    settings.endGroup();
+  }
+
+  m_Controls->m_MTCalibrationFile->setText("Calibration File: " + QString::fromStdString(m_MTCalibrationFile));
 }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidgetConnectionWorker::TestConnectionThreadFunc()
 {
 MITK_INFO << "Testing Connection!";
 QString output;
 bool connected = false;
 mitk::ProgressBar::GetInstance()->AddStepsToDo(4);
 try
   {
   if (!m_TrackingDevice->IsDeviceInstalled())
      {
      output = "ERROR: Device is not installed!";
      }
   else
     {
     //test connection and start tracking, generate output
     output = "<br>testing connection <br>  ...";
     m_TrackingDevice->OpenConnection();
     output += "OK";
     mitk::ProgressBar::GetInstance()->Progress();
 
     //try start/stop tracking
     output += "<br>testing tracking <br>  ...";
     m_TrackingDevice->StartTracking();
     mitk::ProgressBar::GetInstance()->Progress();
     m_TrackingDevice->StopTracking();
     mitk::ProgressBar::GetInstance()->Progress();
 
     //try close connection
     m_TrackingDevice->CloseConnection();
     mitk::ProgressBar::GetInstance()->Progress();
     output += "OK";
     connected = true;
     }
   }
 catch(mitk::IGTException &e)
   {
   output += "ERROR!";
   MITK_WARN << "Error while testing connection / start tracking of the device: " << e.GetDescription();
   }
 mitk::ProgressBar::GetInstance()->Progress(4);
 emit ConnectionTested(connected,output);
 }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidgetScanPortsWorker::ScanPortsThreadFunc()
 {
   int PolarisPort = -1;
   int AuroraPort = -1;
   int PortTypePolaris = -1;
   int PortTypeAurora = -1;
 
   QString result = "<br>Found Devices:";
   int resultSize = result.size(); //remember size of result: if it stays the same no device were found
 
   #ifdef WIN32
     mitk::ProgressBar::GetInstance()->AddStepsToDo(19);
 
     QString devName;
     for (unsigned int i = 1; i < 20; ++i)
     {
       QString statusOutput = "Scanning Port #" + QString::number(i);
       MITK_INFO << statusOutput.toStdString().c_str();
       if (i<10) devName = QString("COM%1").arg(i);
       else devName = QString("\\\\.\\COM%1").arg(i); // prepend "\\.\ to COM ports >9, to be able to allow connection"
       mitk::TrackingDeviceType scannedPort = ScanPort(devName);
       switch (scannedPort)
       {
       case mitk::NDIPolaris:
         result += "<br>" + devName + ": " + "NDI Polaris";
         PolarisPort = i;
         break;
       case mitk::NDIAurora:
         result += "<br>" + devName + ": " + "NDI Aurora";
         AuroraPort = i;
         break;
       }
       mitk::ProgressBar::GetInstance()->Progress();
     }
   #else //linux systems
     for(unsigned int i = 1; i < 6; ++i)
     {
       QString devName = QString("/dev/ttyS%1").arg(i);
       mitk::TrackingDeviceType scannedPort = ScanPort(devName);
       switch (scannedPort)
       {
       case mitk::NDIPolaris:
         result += "<br>" + devName + ": " + "NDI Polaris";
         PolarisPort = i;
         PortTypePolaris = 1;
         break;
       case mitk::NDIAurora:
         result += "<br>" + devName + ": " + "NDI Aurora";
         AuroraPort = i;
         PortTypeAurora = 1;
         break;
       }
 
     }
     for(unsigned int i = 0; i <7; ++i)
     {
       QString devName = QString("/dev/ttyUSB%1").arg(i);
       mitk::TrackingDeviceType scannedPort = ScanPort(devName);
       switch (scannedPort)
       {
       case mitk::NDIPolaris:
         result += "<br>" + devName + ": " + "NDI Polaris";
         PolarisPort = i;
         PortTypePolaris = 0;
         break;
       case mitk::NDIAurora:
         result += "<br>" + devName + ": " + "NDI Aurora";
         AuroraPort = i;
         PortTypeAurora = 0;
         break;
       }
 
     }
   #endif
 
   if ( result.size() == resultSize) result += "<br>none";
 
   emit PortsScanned(PolarisPort,AuroraPort,result,PortTypePolaris,PortTypeAurora);
 }
 
 mitk::TrackingDeviceType QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidgetScanPortsWorker::ScanPort(QString port)
 {
   mitk::NDITrackingDevice::Pointer tracker = mitk::NDITrackingDevice::New();
   tracker->SetDeviceName(port.toStdString());
   mitk::TrackingDeviceType returnValue = mitk::TrackingSystemInvalid;
   try
   {returnValue = tracker->TestConnection();}
   catch (mitk::IGTException)
   {}//do nothing: there is simply no device on this port
   return returnValue;
 }
 
 void QmitkTrackingDeviceConfigurationWidgetConnectionWorker::SetTrackingDevice(mitk::TrackingDevice::Pointer t)
 {
   m_TrackingDevice = t;
 }