[TenTec] OT Computer Assistance

[R. Eric Sluder via TenTec]

Unless they removed it from download, MS offers XP Mode software (basically a virtual machine) for Windows 7 Pro or higher versions.

-Eric
W9WLW

Sent from an iPhone

> On Nov 22, 2014, at 12:12 PM, Ron Notarius W3WN <wn3vaw at verizon.net> wrote:
> 
> Phil...
> 
> First and foremost:  Avoid Windows 8.1 machines for now.  No, it won't be
> easy.  However, you will find that many older 32 bit software applications,
> and just about all older 16 bit software apps, will not work on Win 8, by
> design.  
> 
> Second, remember that there are two "forks" for Windows 7:  32 bit and 64
> bit.  I strongly recommend that you find a machine with 32 bit Win 7, again,
> to maintain maximum possible compatibility with your older software.
> 
> Both Windows 7 & Windows 8 have the capability of running a Virtual Machine
> -- a software computer within the computer.  Consider setting up a VM
> running XP for those older apps that you need (for now) that won't run or
> run properly on Win 7.  (I do this at work, on the test Win 8 computer I've
> been running for about 7-8 months now... those apps that can't run on Win 8
> run just fine on my Windows Vista VM)
> 
> Everyone has their own favorite computer brand.  No doubt you'll get many
> suggestions.  One suggestion from me is to look at Dell Financial Services
> for a factory refurbished machine (usually a leased machine that's been
> returned after the lease is up).  They have an eBay store, at
> http://stores.ebay.com/Dell-Financial/Dell-/_i.html?rt=nc&_fsub=3690393012&_
> sid=30734292&_sticky=1&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14&_sop=2&_sc=1 (that's a long
> link).  You will find a lot of relatively inexpensive machines here, with
> Vista or Win 7 pre-installed, and a 30 day factory warranty.  I've bought
> several machines from DFS this way -- Optiplex 760's with Win 7 (32 bit)
> Professional -- for a relative fraction of a brand new machine cost.
> 
> Regarding the printers... well, some of them may be ready to be retired, sad
> to say.  Factor in the cost & availability of supplies (ie ink or toner) vs.
> the cost of an add-in serial or parallel board for your new machine... yes,
> you can find them.  (The Optiplexes I mentioned?  They have 'regular' serial
> & parallel ports).  
> 
> That said, if you are running an in-house network, and you really want to
> keep those older printers, look into a network print server.  You can still
> find them with parallel ports, and it would also make sharing printers
> between machines easier.
> 
> Now, with all that said...
> 
> What printers, and for that matter, what software are you running?  It's
> hard to give a definitive answer when we don't know what you're actually
> running or trying to use.
> 
> 73, ron w3wn
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Phil
> Sussman
> Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2014 8:16 AM
> To: rtty at contesting.com
> Cc: tentec at contesting.com
> Subject: [TenTec] OT Computer Assistance
> 
> I have been researching the replacement of the three XP machines here  
> in the shack
> and the results have been discouraging. None of my programs: word
> processing,
> spreadsheet, logging, rig interface, and scanner programming is  
> compatible with
> WIN-7 let alone WIN-8.1.
> 
> In addition, my interfaces for the printer(s) [non-serial, but  
> parallel] aren't USB compatible either! I currently have five serial  
> interfaces, but my two USB ports have yet to operate with serial  
> adapters. I believe this is because my USB ports are USB-1 type (just  
> plain old)
> 
> Obviously, I do not have an unlimited budget to replace three computers, two
> printers, all the software and still be unable to interface with my rigs.
> I've got a JRC JST-145 (interfaced with LOGic) and an ICOM IC-756 pro-II.
> 
> Any helpful suggestions welcome.
> 
> Thanks ES 73
> 
> de Phil - N8PS
> 
> 
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