OzzieGeorge
Programmer
As I have just got a new laptop I thought I would ask if anyone has tried any of the mat programs on windows 8 before I try reinventing the wheel!
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windows 8
- Thread starter OzzieGeorge
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belevedere
Instructor
New Laptop? I'm still chugging along with XP. Let us know how you make out.
- Thread starter
- #3
OzzieGeorge
Programmer
I have managed a win7 computer using XP mode for the IVS dos based program with some success but win8 is looking decidedly iffy. Dual boot may be the go but then I am not sure the drivers will be available. PITA really as this was a gift from my son and I don't want to seem ungrateful if I have to continue using the old laptop but if I can't get it to work, I have no choice!
belevedere
Instructor
Newer isn't always better for us. Maybe you can add a virtual partition with WIN 7 or XP on it. Dual boot may be the only solution to keep supporting older products. Or, you can get a bigger laptop bag and lug both PC's around.
- Thread starter
- #5
OzzieGeorge
Programmer
Ok so the story so far.
I should start by saying that I am doing this on a Toshiba L850. As this was a gift, I didn't do any research prior to it's purchase. So if anyone wants to do this on a different machine I would suggest that you find out what the hardware is and research drivers for XP to suit the hardware first as that will make life easier.
I decided against dual boot as I read that the XP installation can overwrite recovery information for the windows 8 installation. I will at this point add that I am not an expert so I have simply avoided potential issues and taken information at face value rather than waste time checking whether it's true.
I opted instead for Virtualisation and selected Virtualbox as the candidate. I decided against the Windows 8 virtual machine called Hyper-V for a number of reasons...
1. I read that Hyper-V doesn't support USB and rather than waste time checking it (and in view of the following) I ruled it out.
2. Virtualbox is free and was receiving good reviews.
3. The windows 8 on the machine is an OEM copy and Hyper-V only runs on the PRO version. The upgrade costs about Au$70.00
After downloading and installing Virtualbox I created a virtual machine using the default settings. It does however ask you to decide how much ram the machine would have and I apparently set it too high so the Virtualbox control panel was reporting the problem. It was simple to fix though.
I then installed Windows XP on the virtual machine (I had a few problems relating to this but only due to the age of my install disk) Then the fun started, fortunately the default drivers in XP brought most things up and after trying many drivers that didn't work I bit the bullet and paid for a program called Driver Manager (about Au$40.00) and it did update lots of the drivers.
I was struggling linking the USB devices to the virtual machine till I realized that of the three USB ports two (the ones I was trying to use) were USB3 and there isn't an XP version of the driver so I tried the one usb2 port and all was fine. I will have to buy a cheap USB hub to connect multiple devices at once.
Then for the big test, I loaded drivers for my USB to serial adapter and for my USB to serial modem and finally Matworx. Surprise surprise it works!
Then the ultimate test the DOS IVS enhanced mat and again it worked, However only with the serial adaptor. For some reason the USB modem won't work, it is however a real cheapo from Ebay so finances allowing I will have to research USB modems but worst case scenario is that I will have to find a small form factor external modem and link to it with the USB to serial adaptor. But if anyone else has managed to use a USB modem with the DOS programs, I would love to hear about it.
I will try other programs as I get the chance but I'm not sure I will be able to try the old MMG/IMG program as I don't look after any of them anymore.
I will keep you all posted and if you have any specific queries I will try to help.
I should start by saying that I am doing this on a Toshiba L850. As this was a gift, I didn't do any research prior to it's purchase. So if anyone wants to do this on a different machine I would suggest that you find out what the hardware is and research drivers for XP to suit the hardware first as that will make life easier.
I decided against dual boot as I read that the XP installation can overwrite recovery information for the windows 8 installation. I will at this point add that I am not an expert so I have simply avoided potential issues and taken information at face value rather than waste time checking whether it's true.
I opted instead for Virtualisation and selected Virtualbox as the candidate. I decided against the Windows 8 virtual machine called Hyper-V for a number of reasons...
1. I read that Hyper-V doesn't support USB and rather than waste time checking it (and in view of the following) I ruled it out.
2. Virtualbox is free and was receiving good reviews.
3. The windows 8 on the machine is an OEM copy and Hyper-V only runs on the PRO version. The upgrade costs about Au$70.00
After downloading and installing Virtualbox I created a virtual machine using the default settings. It does however ask you to decide how much ram the machine would have and I apparently set it too high so the Virtualbox control panel was reporting the problem. It was simple to fix though.
I then installed Windows XP on the virtual machine (I had a few problems relating to this but only due to the age of my install disk) Then the fun started, fortunately the default drivers in XP brought most things up and after trying many drivers that didn't work I bit the bullet and paid for a program called Driver Manager (about Au$40.00) and it did update lots of the drivers.
I was struggling linking the USB devices to the virtual machine till I realized that of the three USB ports two (the ones I was trying to use) were USB3 and there isn't an XP version of the driver so I tried the one usb2 port and all was fine. I will have to buy a cheap USB hub to connect multiple devices at once.
Then for the big test, I loaded drivers for my USB to serial adapter and for my USB to serial modem and finally Matworx. Surprise surprise it works!
Then the ultimate test the DOS IVS enhanced mat and again it worked, However only with the serial adaptor. For some reason the USB modem won't work, it is however a real cheapo from Ebay so finances allowing I will have to research USB modems but worst case scenario is that I will have to find a small form factor external modem and link to it with the USB to serial adaptor. But if anyone else has managed to use a USB modem with the DOS programs, I would love to hear about it.
I will try other programs as I get the chance but I'm not sure I will be able to try the old MMG/IMG program as I don't look after any of them anymore.
I will keep you all posted and if you have any specific queries I will try to help.
belevedere
Instructor
That's great information. Too bad you can't pass along the cost to your customers who refuse to upgrade their obsolete systems.
- Thread starter
- #7
OzzieGeorge
Programmer
Ok so today I tried loading Cosessions and to my surprise it worked first attempt and it even worked with the cheap Ebay USB modem. So at the moment the problem programs for the modem are the NEC older programs for the IVS (ICS120 in Australia) I don't have access to a large system at the present so I haven't tried loading the MAT programs. I may be able to gain access to a 140 in the new year which would be a good test as the Mat for that is DOS based. It looks as though the windows based MAT programs will be OK though.
Re the modem problem, I have a query lodged with US Robotics to see if they have a product that will work with older DOS based programs. I will let you know the outcome.
I am also going to try an evaluation copy of VM Ware to see if it is any better for this and will post back any results.
Re the modem problem, I have a query lodged with US Robotics to see if they have a product that will work with older DOS based programs. I will let you know the outcome.
I am also going to try an evaluation copy of VM Ware to see if it is any better for this and will post back any results.
My HP laptop came with WIN 8 64 bit and I have loaded SV8500 PCPRO and SV8300 PCPRO and MATWORX Ver.13. Got them working with a US robotics USB modem, PN:USR5637 includes CD with software and drivers.
To get the above 3 programs loaded as 32 bit, I put the CD in and told it " take no action"
then went into "File Explorer" and put the mouse over the "SETUP" Application and did a right
click...then went to "Properties", then click "compatibility" then "check "MODE"....I put WIN XP sp2
Then when I clicked "SETUP" it loaded it with 32 bit and works like a champ.
Good Luck with your laptop and win8
Richard
To get the above 3 programs loaded as 32 bit, I put the CD in and told it " take no action"
then went into "File Explorer" and put the mouse over the "SETUP" Application and did a right
click...then went to "Properties", then click "compatibility" then "check "MODE"....I put WIN XP sp2
Then when I clicked "SETUP" it loaded it with 32 bit and works like a champ.
Good Luck with your laptop and win8
Richard
- Thread starter
- #9
OzzieGeorge
Programmer
Valuable information I have loaded it and will try it out soon. I should add that Virtual box is turning out to be a dead end due to the lack of drivers for the newer machines. However VMware is proving excellent as it seems to link in the windows 8 drivers so the display looks excellent!
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