diff --git a/Software/AddOnModules/Hardware.py b/Software/AddOnModules/Hardware.py
index 2f2f8d2..139b923 100644
--- a/Software/AddOnModules/Hardware.py
+++ b/Software/AddOnModules/Hardware.py
@@ -169,9 +169,9 @@ def initUI(self):
         #name the window
         self.setWindowTitle('Hardware Functions')
         
-        self.AoTable.itemChanged.connect(lambda: self.triggerSave)
-        self.AiTable.itemChanged.connect(lambda: self.triggerSave)
-        self.DxTable.itemChanged.connect(lambda: self.triggerSave)
+        self.AoTable.itemChanged.connect(lambda: self.triggerSave())
+        self.AiTable.itemChanged.connect(lambda: self.triggerSave())
+        self.DxTable.itemChanged.connect(lambda: self.triggerSave())
     
     #scans for hardware, either for the first time automatically or on a button press from the hardware module
     def rescanHardware(self):
diff --git a/eye4nanomi/eye4nanomi.py b/eye4nanomi/eye4nanomi.py
index 33f631d..1cc47d9 100644
--- a/eye4nanomi/eye4nanomi.py
+++ b/eye4nanomi/eye4nanomi.py
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
 import json
 import csv
 import signal
+import concurrent.futures
 
 __version__ = '0.2'
 
@@ -125,7 +126,7 @@ def update_shutter_speed(self):
             self.shutterspeed.set_value(self.shutterspeedSettings[self.shutterspeedBox.currentIndex()])
             self.camera.set_config(self.config)
             print("shutterspeed is updated to", self.shutterspeed.get_value())
-        except:
+        except Exception:
             print("Failed to change shutter speed, there was IO process in camera, please retry")
             QtWidgets.QMessageBox.question(self,'I/O in progress', 'Failed to change shutter speed, there was IO process in camera, please retry', QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Ok, QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Ok)
         if self.hold_live:
@@ -140,7 +141,7 @@ def update_iso(self):
             self.iso.set_value(self.isoSettings[self.isoBox.currentIndex()])
             self.camera.set_config(self.config)
             print("iso is updated to", self.iso.get_value())
-        except:
+        except Exception:
             print("Failed to change ISO, there was IO process in camera, please retry")
             QtWidgets.QMessageBox.question(self,'I/O in progress', 'Failed to change ISO, there was IO process in camera, please retry', QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Ok, QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Ok)
         if self.hold_live:
@@ -265,17 +266,22 @@ def stack_image(self, directory):
         kwargs['data_model'] = data_model
         np.savez(directory, **kwargs)
     
-    def recieve_settings(self):
+    def receive_settings(self):
         self.socket.send_json(json.dumps({'request':'get'}))
-        data = self.socket.recv_json()
+        # Set a receive timeout (in milliseconds)
+        self.socket.setsockopt(zmq.RCVTIMEO, 15000) 
+        try:
+            data = self.socket.recv_json()
+            return data
+        except zmq.error.Again:
+            raise TimeoutError()
+
         return data
     
     def save_settings(self, filename):
-        signal.signal(signal.SIGALRM, signal_handler)
-        signal.alarm(15)   # Ten seconds
         try:
-            data = self.recieve_settings()
-        except:
+            data = self.receive_settings()
+        except TimeoutError:
             QtWidgets.QMessageBox.question(self,'Time Out', 'Time out when recieve microscope settings, please check NanoMi control software see if ZMQ server is enabled', QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Ok, QtWidgets.QMessageBox.Ok)
             print("Time out when recieve microscope settings, please check NanoMi control software see if ZMQ server is enabled!")
             return -1
@@ -308,8 +314,8 @@ def closeEvent(self,event):
         else:
             event.ignore()
 
-def signal_handler(signum, frame):
-    raise Exception("Timed out!")
+# def signal_handler(signum, frame):
+#     raise Exception("Timed out!")
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':