diff --git a/counter.c b/counter.c
index 283dbe29..1b21f4a7 100644
--- a/counter.c
+++ b/counter.c
@@ -44,15 +44,11 @@
 #include <time.h>
 #include "fortify.h"
 #include <string.h>
+#include "sics.h"
 #include "countdriv.h"
-#include "obdes.h"
-#include "conman.h"
-#include "interface.h"
 #include "counter.h"
 #include "fupa.h"
-#include "devexec.h"
 #include "status.h"
-#include "event.h"
 #include "splitter.h"
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
  /*
@@ -841,6 +837,10 @@
              SCWrite(pCon,pBueffel,eValue);
              return 1;             
       case 7: /* SetExponent */
+             if(!SCMatchRights(pCon,usMugger))
+	     {
+                return 0;
+             }
              self->iExponent = PaRes.Arg[0].iVal;
              SCSendOK(pCon);
              return 1;
@@ -913,6 +913,13 @@
                  "ERROR: Insufficient privilege to set threshold",eError);
                return 0;  
             }
+            if(isInRunMode(pServ->pExecutor))
+	    {
+               SCWrite(pCon,
+                 "ERROR: cannot change threshold while instrument is active",
+                  eError);
+               return 0;
+            }
 	    /* set threshold value */
             iRet = self->pDriv->Set(self->pDriv,PARTHRESHOLD,
                                     PaRes.Arg[0].iVal,PaRes.Arg[1].fVal);