diff --git a/coordinator/configure.lua b/coordinator/configure.lua
index 88267cc..c0d3acd 100644
--- a/coordinator/configure.lua
+++ b/coordinator/configure.lua
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ local tool_ctl = {
     show_sv_cfg = nil,      ---@type function
 
     start_fail = false,
+    fail_message = "",
     has_config = false,
     viewing_config = false,
     importing_legacy = false,
@@ -316,7 +317,8 @@ local function config_view(display)
     TextBox{parent=main_page,x=2,y=2,height=2,text="Welcome to the Coordinator configurator! Please select one of the following options."}
 
     if tool_ctl.start_fail == 2 then
-        TextBox{parent=main_page,x=2,y=y_start,height=4,width=49,text="Notice: There is a problem with your monitor configuration. You may have lost a monitor or their sizes may be incorrect. Please reconfigure monitors or correct their sizes.",fg_bg=cpair(colors.red,colors.lightGray)}
+        local msg = util.c("Notice: There is a problem with your monitor configuration. ", tool_ctl.fail_message, " Please reconfigure monitors or correct their sizes.")
+        TextBox{parent=main_page,x=2,y=y_start,height=4,width=49,text=msg,fg_bg=cpair(colors.red,colors.lightGray)}
         y_start = y_start + 5
     elseif tool_ctl.start_fail > 0 then
         TextBox{parent=main_page,x=2,y=y_start,height=4,width=49,text="Notice: This device has no valid config so the configurator has been automatically started. If you previously had a valid config, you may want to check the Change Log to see what changed.",fg_bg=cpair(colors.red,colors.lightGray)}
@@ -1218,10 +1220,13 @@ local function reset_term()
     term.setCursorPos(1, 1)
 end
 
--- run the coordinator configurator
----@param start_fail? integer indicate if this is being called by the coordinator startup app due to an invalid configuration
-function configurator.configure(start_fail)
+-- run the coordinator configurator<br>
+-- start_fail of 0 is OK (not expected, default if not provided), 1 is bad config, 2 is bad monitor config
+---@param start_fail? 0|1|2 indicate if this is being called by the startup app due to an invalid configuration
+---@param message? any string message to display on a start_fail of 2
+function configurator.configure(start_fail, message)
     tool_ctl.start_fail = start_fail or 0
+    tool_ctl.fail_message = util.trinary(type(message) == "string", message, "")
 
     load_settings(settings_cfg, true)
     tool_ctl.has_config = load_settings(ini_cfg)
diff --git a/coordinator/coordinator.lua b/coordinator/coordinator.lua
index 78c5f97..402827c 100644
--- a/coordinator/coordinator.lua
+++ b/coordinator/coordinator.lua
@@ -9,11 +9,6 @@ local process     = require("coordinator.process")
 
 local apisessions = require("coordinator.session.apisessions")
 
-local dialog      = require("coordinator.ui.dialog")
-
-local print = util.print
-local println = util.println
-
 local PROTOCOL = comms.PROTOCOL
 local DEVICE_TYPE = comms.DEVICE_TYPE
 local ESTABLISH_ACK = comms.ESTABLISH_ACK
@@ -26,32 +21,76 @@ local LINK_TIMEOUT = 60.0
 
 local coordinator = {}
 
--- request the user to select a monitor
----@nodiscard
----@param names table available monitors
----@return boolean|string|nil
-local function ask_monitor(names)
-    println("available monitors:")
-    for i = 1, #names do
-        print(" " .. names[i])
-    end
-    println("")
-    println("select a monitor or type c to cancel")
+---@type crd_config
+local config = {}
 
-    local iface = dialog.ask_options(names, "c")
+coordinator.config = config
 
-    if iface ~= false and iface ~= nil then
-        util.filter_table(names, function (x) return x ~= iface end)
+-- load the coordinator configuration<br>
+-- status of 0 is OK, 1 is bad config, 2 is bad monitor config
+---@return 0|1|2 status, nil|monitors_struct|string monitors
+function coordinator.load_config()
+    if not settings.load("/coordinator.settings") then return 1 end
+
+    config.UnitCount = settings.get("UnitCount")
+    config.SpeakerVolume = settings.get("SpeakerVolume")
+    config.Time24Hour = settings.get("Time24Hour")
+
+    config.DisableFlowView = settings.get("DisableFlowView")
+    config.MainDisplay = settings.get("MainDisplay")
+    config.FlowDisplay = settings.get("FlowDisplay")
+    config.UnitDisplays = settings.get("UnitDisplays")
+
+    config.SVR_Channel = settings.get("SVR_Channel")
+    config.CRD_Channel = settings.get("CRD_Channel")
+    config.PKT_Channel = settings.get("PKT_Channel")
+    config.SVR_Timeout = settings.get("SVR_Timeout")
+    config.API_Timeout = settings.get("API_Timeout")
+    config.TrustedRange = settings.get("TrustedRange")
+    config.AuthKey = settings.get("AuthKey")
+
+    config.LogMode = settings.get("LogMode")
+    config.LogPath = settings.get("LogPath")
+    config.LogDebug = settings.get("LogDebug")
+
+    local cfv = util.new_validator()
+
+    cfv.assert_type_int(config.UnitCount)
+    cfv.assert_range(config.UnitCount, 1, 4)
+    cfv.assert_type_bool(config.Time24Hour)
+
+    cfv.assert_type_bool(config.DisableFlowView)
+    cfv.assert_type_table(config.UnitDisplays)
+
+    cfv.assert_type_num(config.SpeakerVolume)
+    cfv.assert_min(config.SpeakerVolume, 0.0)
+    cfv.assert_max(config.SpeakerVolume, 3.0)
+
+    cfv.assert_channel(config.SVR_Channel)
+    cfv.assert_channel(config.CRD_Channel)
+    cfv.assert_channel(config.PKT_Channel)
+
+    cfv.assert_type_num(config.SVR_Timeout)
+    cfv.assert_min(config.SVR_Timeout, 2)
+    cfv.assert_type_num(config.API_Timeout)
+    cfv.assert_min(config.API_Timeout, 2)
+
+    cfv.assert_type_num(config.TrustedRange)
+    cfv.assert_min(config.TrustedRange, 0)
+    cfv.assert_type_str(config.AuthKey)
+
+    if type(config.AuthKey) == "string" then
+        local len = string.len(config.AuthKey)
+        cfv.assert_eq(len == 0 or len >= 8, true)
     end
 
-    return iface
-end
+    cfv.assert_type_int(config.LogMode)
+    cfv.assert_range(config.LogMode, 0, 1)
+    cfv.assert_type_str(config.LogPath)
+    cfv.assert_type_bool(config.LogDebug)
+
+    -- Monitor Setup
 
--- configure monitor layout
----@param num_units integer number of units expected
----@param disable_flow_view boolean disable flow view (legacy)
----@return boolean success, monitors_struct? monitors
-function coordinator.configure_monitors(num_units, disable_flow_view)
     ---@class monitors_struct
     local monitors = {
         primary = nil,      ---@type table|nil
@@ -62,146 +101,70 @@ function coordinator.configure_monitors(num_units, disable_flow_view)
         unit_name_map = {}
     }
 
-    local monitors_avail = ppm.get_monitor_list()
-    local names = {}
-    local available = {}
+    local mon_cfv = util.new_validator()
 
     -- get all interface names
-    for iface, _ in pairs(monitors_avail) do
-        table.insert(names, iface)
-        table.insert(available, iface)
-    end
+    local names = {}
+    for iface, _ in pairs(ppm.get_monitor_list()) do table.insert(names, iface) end
 
-    -- we need a certain number of monitors (1 per unit + 1 primary display + 1 flow display)
-    local num_displays_needed = num_units + util.trinary(disable_flow_view, 1, 2)
-    if #names < num_displays_needed then
-        local message = "not enough monitors connected (need " .. num_displays_needed .. ")"
-        println(message)
-        log.warning(message)
-        return false
-    end
+    local function setup_monitors()
+        mon_cfv.assert_type_str(config.MainDisplay)
+        if not config.DisableFlowView then mon_cfv.assert_type_str(config.FlowDisplay) end
+        mon_cfv.assert_eq(#config.UnitDisplays, config.UnitCount)
 
-    -- attempt to load settings
-    if not settings.load("/coord.settings") then
-        log.warning("configure_monitors(): failed to load coordinator settings file (may not exist yet)")
-    else
-        local _primary = settings.get("PRIMARY_DISPLAY")
-        local _flow = settings.get("FLOW_DISPLAY")
-        local _unitd = settings.get("UNIT_DISPLAYS")
+        if mon_cfv.valid() then
+            mon_cfv.assert(util.table_contains(names, config.MainDisplay))
 
-        -- filter out already assigned monitors
-        util.filter_table(available, function (x) return x ~= _primary end)
-        util.filter_table(available, function (x) return x ~= _flow end)
-        if type(_unitd) == "table" then
-            util.filter_table(available, function (x) return not util.table_contains(_unitd, x) end)
-        end
-    end
+            if not mon_cfv.valid() then return 2, "Main monitor is not connected." end
 
-    ---------------------
-    -- PRIMARY DISPLAY --
-    ---------------------
+            monitors.primary = ppm.get_periph(config.MainDisplay)
+            monitors.primary_name = config.MainDisplay
 
-    local iface_primary_display = settings.get("PRIMARY_DISPLAY")   ---@type boolean|string|nil
+            local w, h = ppm.monitor_block_size(monitors.primary.getSize())
+            mon_cfv.assert(w == 8)
 
-    if not util.table_contains(names, iface_primary_display) then
-        println("primary display is not connected")
-        local response = dialog.ask_y_n("would you like to change it", true)
-        if response == false then return false end
-        iface_primary_display = nil
-    end
+            if not mon_cfv.valid() then return 2, "Main monitor width is incorrect." end
 
-    while iface_primary_display == nil and #available > 0 do
-        iface_primary_display = ask_monitor(available)
-    end
+            if not config.DisableFlowView then
+                mon_cfv.assert(util.table_contains(names, config.FlowDisplay))
 
-    if type(iface_primary_display) ~= "string" then return false end
+                if not mon_cfv.valid() then return 2, "Flow monitor is not connected." end
 
-    settings.set("PRIMARY_DISPLAY", iface_primary_display)
-    util.filter_table(available, function (x) return x ~= iface_primary_display end)
+                monitors.flow = ppm.get_periph(config.FlowDisplay)
+                monitors.flow_name = config.FlowDisplay
 
-    monitors.primary = ppm.get_periph(iface_primary_display)
-    monitors.primary_name = iface_primary_display
+                w, h = ppm.monitor_block_size(monitors.flow.getSize())
+                mon_cfv.assert(w == 8)
 
-    --------------------------
-    -- FLOW MONITOR DISPLAY --
-    --------------------------
-
-    if not disable_flow_view then
-        local iface_flow_display = settings.get("FLOW_DISPLAY")  ---@type boolean|string|nil
-
-        if not util.table_contains(names, iface_flow_display) then
-            println("flow monitor display is not connected")
-            local response = dialog.ask_y_n("would you like to change it", true)
-            if response == false then return false end
-            iface_flow_display = nil
-        end
-
-        while iface_flow_display == nil and #available > 0 do
-            iface_flow_display = ask_monitor(available)
-        end
-
-        if type(iface_flow_display) ~= "string" then return false end
-
-        settings.set("FLOW_DISPLAY", iface_flow_display)
-        util.filter_table(available, function (x) return x ~= iface_flow_display end)
-
-        monitors.flow = ppm.get_periph(iface_flow_display)
-        monitors.flow_name = iface_flow_display
-    end
-
-    -------------------
-    -- UNIT DISPLAYS --
-    -------------------
-
-    local unit_displays = settings.get("UNIT_DISPLAYS")
-
-    if unit_displays == nil then
-        unit_displays = {}
-        for i = 1, num_units do
-            local display = nil
-
-            while display == nil and #available > 0 do
-                println("please select monitor for unit #" .. i)
-                display = ask_monitor(available)
+                if not mon_cfv.valid() then return 2, "Flow monitor width is incorrect." end
             end
 
-            if display == false then return false end
+            for i = 1, config.UnitCount do
+                local display = config.UnitDisplays[i]
 
-            unit_displays[i] = display
-        end
-    else
-        -- make sure all displays are connected
-        for i = 1, num_units do
-            local display = unit_displays[i]
+                mon_cfv.assert_type_str(display)
+                mon_cfv.assert(util.table_contains(names, display))
 
-            if not util.table_contains(names, display) then
-                println("unit #" .. i .. " display is not connected")
-                local response = dialog.ask_y_n("would you like to change it", true)
-                if response == false then return false end
-                display = nil
+                if not mon_cfv.valid() then return 2, "Unit " .. i .. " monitor is not connected." end
+
+                monitors.unit_displays[i] = ppm.get_periph(display)
+                monitors.unit_name_map[i] = display
+
+                w, h = ppm.monitor_block_size(monitors.unit_displays[i].getSize())
+                mon_cfv.assert(w == 4 and h == 4)
+
+                if not mon_cfv.valid() then return 2, "Unit " .. i .. " monitor size is incorrect." end
             end
-
-            while display == nil and #available > 0 do
-                display = ask_monitor(available)
-            end
-
-            if display == false then return false end
-
-            unit_displays[i] = display
-        end
+        else return 2, "Monitor configuration invalid." end
     end
 
-    settings.set("UNIT_DISPLAYS", unit_displays)
-    if not settings.save("/coord.settings") then
-        log.warning("configure_monitors(): failed to save coordinator settings file")
-    end
+    if cfv.valid() then
+        local ok, result, message = pcall(setup_monitors)
+        assert(ok, util.c("fatal error while trying to verify monitors: ", result))
+        if result == 2 then return 2, message end
+    else return 1 end
 
-    for i = 1, #unit_displays do
-        monitors.unit_displays[i] = ppm.get_periph(unit_displays[i])
-        monitors.unit_name_map[i] = unit_displays[i]
-    end
-
-    return true, monitors
+    return 0, monitors
 end
 
 -- dmesg print wrapper
@@ -246,13 +209,8 @@ end
 ---@nodiscard
 ---@param version string coordinator version
 ---@param nic nic network interface device
----@param num_units integer number of configured units for number of monitors, checked against SV
----@param crd_channel integer port of configured supervisor
----@param svr_channel integer listening port for supervisor replys
----@param pkt_channel integer listening port for pocket API
----@param range integer trusted device connection range
 ---@param sv_watchdog watchdog
-function coordinator.comms(version, nic, num_units, crd_channel, svr_channel, pkt_channel, range, sv_watchdog)
+function coordinator.comms(version, nic, sv_watchdog)
     local self = {
         sv_linked = false,
         sv_addr = comms.BROADCAST,
@@ -267,11 +225,11 @@ function coordinator.comms(version, nic, num_units, crd_channel, svr_channel, pk
         est_task_done = nil
     }
 
-    comms.set_trusted_range(range)
+    comms.set_trusted_range(config.TrustedRange)
 
     -- configure network channels
     nic.closeAll()
-    nic.open(crd_channel)
+    nic.open(config.CRD_Channel)
 
     -- link nic to apisessions
     apisessions.init(nic)
@@ -296,7 +254,7 @@ function coordinator.comms(version, nic, num_units, crd_channel, svr_channel, pk
         pkt.make(msg_type, msg)
         s_pkt.make(self.sv_addr, self.sv_seq_num, protocol, pkt.raw_sendable())
 
-        nic.transmit(svr_channel, crd_channel, s_pkt)
+        nic.transmit(config.SVR_Channel, config.CRD_Channel, s_pkt)
         self.sv_seq_num = self.sv_seq_num + 1
     end
 
@@ -310,7 +268,7 @@ function coordinator.comms(version, nic, num_units, crd_channel, svr_channel, pk
         m_pkt.make(MGMT_TYPE.ESTABLISH, { ack })
         s_pkt.make(packet.src_addr(), packet.seq_num() + 1, PROTOCOL.SCADA_MGMT, m_pkt.raw_sendable())
 
-        nic.transmit(pkt_channel, crd_channel, s_pkt)
+        nic.transmit(config.PKT_Channel, config.CRD_Channel, s_pkt)
         self.last_api_est_acks[packet.src_addr()] = ack
     end
 
@@ -343,7 +301,7 @@ function coordinator.comms(version, nic, num_units, crd_channel, svr_channel, pk
                 self.est_last = self.est_start
 
                 self.est_tick_waiting, self.est_task_done =
-                    coordinator.log_comms_connecting("attempting to connect to configured supervisor on channel " .. svr_channel)
+                    coordinator.log_comms_connecting("attempting to connect to configured supervisor on channel " .. config.SVR_Channel)
 
                 _send_establish()
             else
@@ -356,7 +314,7 @@ function coordinator.comms(version, nic, num_units, crd_channel, svr_channel, pk
                 if abort then
                     coordinator.log_comms("supervisor connection attempt cancelled by user")
                 elseif self.sv_config_err then
-                    coordinator.log_comms("supervisor cooling configuration invalid, check supervisor config file")
+                    coordinator.log_comms("supervisor unit count does not match coordinator unit count, check configs")
                 elseif not self.sv_linked then
                     if self.last_est_ack == ESTABLISH_ACK.DENY then
                         coordinator.log_comms("supervisor connection attempt denied")
@@ -371,7 +329,7 @@ function coordinator.comms(version, nic, num_units, crd_channel, svr_channel, pk
 
                 ok = false
             elseif self.sv_config_err then
-                coordinator.log_comms("supervisor cooling configuration invalid, check supervisor config file")
+                coordinator.log_comms("supervisor unit count does not match coordinator unit count, check configs")
                 ok = false
             elseif (util.time_s() - self.est_last) > 1.0 then
                 _send_establish()
@@ -464,9 +422,9 @@ function coordinator.comms(version, nic, num_units, crd_channel, svr_channel, pk
             local src_addr = packet.scada_frame.src_addr()
             local protocol = packet.scada_frame.protocol()
 
-            if l_chan ~= crd_channel then
+            if l_chan ~= config.CRD_Channel then
                 log.debug("received packet on unconfigured channel " .. l_chan, true)
-            elseif r_chan == pkt_channel then
+            elseif r_chan == config.PKT_Channel then
                 if not self.sv_linked then
                     log.debug("discarding pocket API packet before linked to supervisor")
                 elseif protocol == PROTOCOL.SCADA_CRDN then
@@ -526,7 +484,7 @@ function coordinator.comms(version, nic, num_units, crd_channel, svr_channel, pk
                 else
                     log.debug("illegal packet type " .. protocol .. " on pocket channel", true)
                 end
-            elseif r_chan == svr_channel then
+            elseif r_chan == config.SVR_Channel then
                 -- check sequence number
                 if self.sv_r_seq_num == nil then
                     self.sv_r_seq_num = packet.scada_frame.seq_num()
@@ -699,22 +657,22 @@ function coordinator.comms(version, nic, num_units, crd_channel, svr_channel, pk
                         -- connection with supervisor established
                         if packet.length == 2 then
                             local est_ack = packet.data[1]
-                            local config = packet.data[2]
+                            local sv_config = packet.data[2]
 
                             if est_ack == ESTABLISH_ACK.ALLOW then
                                 -- reset to disconnected before validating
                                 iocontrol.fp_link_state(types.PANEL_LINK_STATE.DISCONNECTED)
 
-                                if type(config) == "table" and #config == 2 then
+                                if type(sv_config) == "table" and #sv_config == 2 then
                                     -- get configuration
 
                                     ---@class facility_conf
                                     local conf = {
-                                        num_units = config[1],  ---@type integer
-                                        cooling = config[2]     ---@type sv_cooling_conf
+                                        num_units = sv_config[1], ---@type integer
+                                        cooling = sv_config[2]    ---@type sv_cooling_conf
                                     }
 
-                                    if conf.num_units == num_units then
+                                    if conf.num_units == config.UnitCount then
                                         -- init io controller
                                         iocontrol.init(conf, public)
 
diff --git a/coordinator/renderer.lua b/coordinator/renderer.lua
index 5aadbb2..f9c793d 100644
--- a/coordinator/renderer.lua
+++ b/coordinator/renderer.lua
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 
 local log        = require("scada-common.log")
 local util       = require("scada-common.util")
+local ppm        = require("scada-common.ppm")
 
 local iocontrol  = require("coordinator.iocontrol")
 
@@ -93,39 +94,6 @@ function renderer.init_displays()
     end
 end
 
--- check main display width
----@nodiscard
----@return boolean width_okay
-function renderer.validate_main_display_width()
-    local w, _ = engine.monitors.primary.getSize()
-    return w == 164
-end
-
--- check flow display width
----@nodiscard
----@return boolean width_okay
-function renderer.validate_flow_display_width()
-    local w, _ = engine.monitors.flow.getSize()
-    return w == 164
-end
-
--- check display sizes
----@nodiscard
----@return boolean valid all unit display dimensions OK
-function renderer.validate_unit_display_sizes()
-    local valid = true
-
-    for id, monitor in ipairs(engine.monitors.unit_displays) do
-        local w, h = monitor.getSize()
-        if w ~= 79 or h ~= 52 then
-            log.warning(util.c("RENDERER: unit ", id, " display resolution not 79 wide by 52 tall: ", w, ", ", h))
-            valid = false
-        end
-    end
-
-    return valid
-end
-
 -- initialize the dmesg output window
 function renderer.init_dmesg()
     local disp_x, disp_y = engine.monitors.primary.getSize()
diff --git a/coordinator/startup.lua b/coordinator/startup.lua
index 2f56527..4301bac 100644
--- a/coordinator/startup.lua
+++ b/coordinator/startup.lua
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ local util        = require("scada-common.util")
 
 local core        = require("graphics.core")
 
-local config      = require("coordinator.config")
+local configure   = require("coordinator.configure")
 local coordinator = require("coordinator.coordinator")
 local iocontrol   = require("coordinator.iocontrol")
 local renderer    = require("coordinator.renderer")
@@ -34,32 +34,34 @@ local log_comms = coordinator.log_comms
 local log_crypto = coordinator.log_crypto
 
 ----------------------------------------
--- config validation
+-- get configuration
 ----------------------------------------
 
-local cfv = util.new_validator()
+-- mount connected devices (required for monitor setup)
+ppm.mount_all()
 
-cfv.assert_channel(config.SVR_CHANNEL)
-cfv.assert_channel(config.CRD_CHANNEL)
-cfv.assert_channel(config.PKT_CHANNEL)
-cfv.assert_type_int(config.TRUSTED_RANGE)
-cfv.assert_type_num(config.SV_TIMEOUT)
-cfv.assert_min(config.SV_TIMEOUT, 2)
-cfv.assert_type_num(config.API_TIMEOUT)
-cfv.assert_min(config.API_TIMEOUT, 2)
-cfv.assert_type_int(config.NUM_UNITS)
-cfv.assert_type_num(config.SOUNDER_VOLUME)
-cfv.assert_type_bool(config.TIME_24_HOUR)
-cfv.assert_type_str(config.LOG_PATH)
-cfv.assert_type_int(config.LOG_MODE)
+local loaded, monitors = coordinator.load_config()
+if loaded ~= 0 then
+    -- try to reconfigure (user action)
+    local success, error = configure.configure(loaded, monitors)
+    if success then
+        loaded, monitors = coordinator.load_config()
+        assert(loaded == 0, util.trinary(loaded == 1, "failed to load valid configuration", "monitor configuration invalid"))
+    else
+        assert(success, "coordinator configuration error: " .. error)
+    end
+end
 
-assert(cfv.valid(), "bad config file: missing/invalid fields")
+-- passed checks, good now
+---@cast monitors monitors_struct
+
+local config = coordinator.config
 
 ----------------------------------------
 -- log init
 ----------------------------------------
 
-log.init(config.LOG_PATH, config.LOG_MODE, config.LOG_DEBUG == true)
+log.init(config.LogPath, config.LogMode, config.LogDebug)
 
 log.info("========================================")
 log.info("BOOTING coordinator.startup " .. COORDINATOR_VERSION)
@@ -77,39 +79,13 @@ local function main()
     -- system startup
     ----------------------------------------
 
-    -- mount connected devices
-    ppm.mount_all()
-
     -- report versions/init fp PSIL
     iocontrol.init_fp(COORDINATOR_VERSION, comms.version)
 
-    -- setup monitors
-    local configured, monitors = coordinator.configure_monitors(config.NUM_UNITS, config.DISABLE_FLOW_VIEW == true)
-    if not configured or monitors == nil then
-        println("startup> monitor setup failed")
-        log.fatal("monitor configuration failed")
-        return
-    end
-
     -- init renderer
-    renderer.legacy_disable_flow_view(config.DISABLE_FLOW_VIEW == true)
+    renderer.legacy_disable_flow_view(config.DisableFlowView)
     renderer.set_displays(monitors)
     renderer.init_displays()
-
-    if not renderer.validate_main_display_width() then
-        println("startup> main display must be 8 blocks wide")
-        log.fatal("main display not wide enough")
-        return
-    elseif (config.DISABLE_FLOW_VIEW ~= true) and not renderer.validate_flow_display_width() then
-        println("startup> flow display must be 8 blocks wide")
-        log.fatal("flow display not wide enough")
-        return
-    elseif not renderer.validate_unit_display_sizes() then
-        println("startup> one or more unit display dimensions incorrect; they must be 4x4 blocks")
-        log.fatal("unit display dimensions incorrect")
-        return
-    end
-
     renderer.init_dmesg()
 
     -- lets get started!
@@ -132,7 +108,7 @@ local function main()
     else
         local sounder_start = util.time_ms()
         log_boot("annunciator alarm speaker connected")
-        sounder.init(speaker, config.SOUNDER_VOLUME)
+        sounder.init(speaker, config.SpeakerVolume)
         log_boot("tone generation took " .. (util.time_ms() - sounder_start) .. "ms")
         log_sys("annunciator alarm configured")
         iocontrol.fp_has_speaker(true)
@@ -143,8 +119,8 @@ local function main()
     ----------------------------------------
 
     -- message authentication init
-    if type(config.AUTH_KEY) == "string" then
-        local init_time = network.init_mac(config.AUTH_KEY)
+    if type(config.AuthKey) == "string" and string.len(config.AuthKey) > 0 then
+        local init_time = network.init_mac(config.AuthKey)
         log_crypto("HMAC init took " .. init_time .. "ms")
     end
 
@@ -161,14 +137,13 @@ local function main()
     end
 
     -- create connection watchdog
-    local conn_watchdog = util.new_watchdog(config.SV_TIMEOUT)
+    local conn_watchdog = util.new_watchdog(config.SVR_Timeout)
     conn_watchdog.cancel()
     log.debug("startup> conn watchdog created")
 
     -- create network interface then setup comms
     local nic = network.nic(modem)
-    local coord_comms = coordinator.comms(COORDINATOR_VERSION, nic, config.NUM_UNITS, config.CRD_CHANNEL,
-                                            config.SVR_CHANNEL, config.PKT_CHANNEL, config.TRUSTED_RANGE, conn_watchdog)
+    local coord_comms = coordinator.comms(COORDINATOR_VERSION, nic, conn_watchdog)
     log.debug("startup> comms init")
     log_comms("comms initialized")
 
@@ -214,7 +189,7 @@ local function main()
 
     local link_failed = false
     local ui_ok = true
-    local date_format = util.trinary(config.TIME_24_HOUR, "%X \x04 %A, %B %d %Y", "%r \x04 %A, %B %d %Y")
+    local date_format = util.trinary(config.Time24Hour, "%X \x04 %A, %B %d %Y", "%r \x04 %A, %B %d %Y")
 
     -- start clock
     loop_clock.start()
diff --git a/coordinator/ui/dialog.lua b/coordinator/ui/dialog.lua
deleted file mode 100644
index 676ae2b..0000000
--- a/coordinator/ui/dialog.lua
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,52 +0,0 @@
-local completion = require("cc.completion")
-
-local util       = require("scada-common.util")
-
-local print = util.print
-
-local dialog = {}
-
--- ask the user yes or no
----@nodiscard
----@param question string
----@param default boolean
----@return boolean|nil
-function dialog.ask_y_n(question, default)
-    print(question)
-
-    if default == true then
-        print(" (Y/n)? ")
-    else
-        print(" (y/N)? ")
-    end
-
-    local response = read(nil, nil)
-
-    if response == "" then
-        return default
-    elseif response == "Y" or response == "y" then
-        return true
-    elseif response == "N" or response == "n" then
-        return false
-    else
-        return nil
-    end
-end
-
--- ask the user for an input within a set of options
----@nodiscard
----@param options table
----@param cancel string
----@return boolean|string|nil
-function dialog.ask_options(options, cancel)
-    print("> ")
-    local response = read(nil, nil, function(text) return completion.choice(text, options) end)
-
-    if response == cancel then return false end
-
-    if util.table_contains(options, response) then
-        return response
-    else return nil end
-end
-
-return dialog