On the Mac side though you are definitely out of luck. It's not the OS version - it's the binaries behind it. Java 6 and 7 don't support the PowerPC chip, so old PowerPC Macs won't be able to use newer versions. "Don't support" in this case is more like, the application isn't even compiled for this CPU. For an Intel Mac with an older OSX, you're on your own, like trying to run new Java on old Windows, Maybe it will work. Maybe there will be wierd crashes.
Hmm, I should pay more attention to the error reports ont eh JMRI group aand see if they are attmepting to use a newer Java on an old OS...
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker Java 7 will not run on any windows OS prior to XP http://www.java.com/en/download/help/sysreq.xml JMRI 3.x requires Java 7. The 2.8 versions will still run on Java 6 and can still be used on older computers. Ergo, latest versions of JMRI will no longer run on ancient computers. Considering even XP is a 9 year old OS, 95 and 98 are ancient history. --Randy
Java 7 will not run on any windows OS prior to XP
http://www.java.com/en/download/help/sysreq.xml
JMRI 3.x requires Java 7. The 2.8 versions will still run on Java 6 and can still be used on older computers.
Ergo, latest versions of JMRI will no longer run on ancient computers. Considering even XP is a 9 year old OS, 95 and 98 are ancient history.
Yup, that's the page that tells you what's supported, and is exactly the type of page I've disregarded in the past when installing an "unsupported" version of Java on a given OS.
Here's a link to an old post in the JMRI list from when I installed a newer Java version on W95 than was officially supported. As noted in that post it was running just fine.
Now that Oracle owns Java the Web pages have changed, but here's a link to where you might start if you were going to install an "unsupported" version.
Not that it really matters, since it was already pointed out that you don't need Java 7 for JMRI 3.0, but just to illustrate the point that "not supported" doesn't mean "can't possibly work".
It just means that, well, you won't get any support from Oracle or Microsoft if you have issues.
Kinda like using the PR3's Vista drivers for Win7...
OK, I was off by 1 Java version - if they wouldn;t update the thing almost daily it might be stable.
Still, Java 6 will not run on anything older then Windows 200. 95 and 98 are OUT. As are any non-Intel CPU Macs.
That is my only beef with JMRI - as a Java program it looks woefully outdated compared to the most current versions of Windows, OSx, and Linux. All because of the requirement to adhere to the Java least common demoninator for cross platform compatibility. The actually functionality of the program is awesome.
Randy,
That is incorrect.
JMRI versions after 2.14.1 (3.0 being the latest production version) require Java 6. There is currently no requirement for any versions of JMRI to have Java 7.
Peter
You can run newer versions of Java on older Windows OS's, at least you used to be able to. I did it all the time when trying to stretch out the useful life of an old W95 or W98 box for newer versions of JMRI.
Although I haven't done it recently, all I used to do was download the offline installer for the Java version I wanted, and run the setup. It would complain about not being supported, but I'd just click to have it install anyway. Never had an problems taking that route.
Remember, "not supported" doesn't mean it won't work. It just means that neither Oracle nor Microsoft will put any effort into resolving an issue for you.
However, having said that, I'd recommend a slightly different version of what Randy has done. Instead of building a new machine, just run Linux on the old hardware. In most cases the most up-to-date Linux distros, which by default are the most secure, will run just fine on the older hardware, and you won't have to worry about Java versions. Save the $200 for more trains.
One other thought, for the OP: With all due respect to these forums, why in heaven's name would you ask about JMRI here? Why wouldn't you just go to the JMRI Web site or the JMRI user's list and get it straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak?
There is no newer Java for those older operating systems. We're talking systems that became unsupported years ago. It's common to repurpose an old computer for model railroad use but at some point the old machines become a source of frustration. You certainly don;t need a high end comuter to run JMRI and run it well, older machines are fine. I went a slightly different route and build a low power Intel Atom system for under $200 and put Linux on it to run JMRI. Not that I leave it runnign when I'm not there, but it draws far less power than even an older laptop will, yet is a lot faster than those old Pentium II and III systems.
rrinker The only caution here of anyone else tries this is that the new 3.0 version requires a newer version of Java that is not available on older computers, specifically the older PowerPC Macs and Windows older than I beleive XP. So if you have Windows XP or newer, or a fairly recent version of MacOS on an Intel Mac, you are fine and can install the correct Java version. Older systems are 'stuck' on 2.8 for the foreseeable future. --Randy
The only caution here of anyone else tries this is that the new 3.0 version requires a newer version of Java that is not available on older computers, specifically the older PowerPC Macs and Windows older than I beleive XP. So if you have Windows XP or newer, or a fairly recent version of MacOS on an Intel Mac, you are fine and can install the correct Java version. Older systems are 'stuck' on 2.8 for the foreseeable future.
The only caution here of anyone else tries this is that the new 3.0 version requires a newer version of Java that is not available on older computers, specifically the older PowerPC Macs and Windows older than I beleive XP. So if you have Windows XP or newer, or a fairly recent version of MacOS on an Intel Mac, you are fine and can install the correct Java version. Older systems are 'stuck' on 2.8 for the foreseeable future. Right now, there is nothign in 3.0 the prevents adding newer decoder definiteions to 2.8, and it has been hinted that there will b a new release of the 2.8 version of the program which will include the latest decoder definitions since manually adding them can be slightly daunting to non-tech people.
thanks guys ;I did as Jim suggested and overlayed (downloaded) 3.0 ,and it was a simple process. all seems to be good...thanks again ,note there is a directive on the download if you have version 2.4. something and older use this ! and 2.4.an newer use this...simple .Jerry
I am using ver 2.8. You can add to the decoder definitions of the older versions but it is not plug-and-play and not a one-click deal.
The first thing you need to know is what decoder you have that you need to get the info for. However, it sounds like you want the program to tell you that. In that case, you would be better off up-dating to the latest version rather that trying to instal the new definitions in your older version.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Decoder Pro 3.0 is the current supported version. Go out to the web site and just download it - This overlays your old version. I have been running the new version for the past several months with no problems. It does 'look & feel' different - Everything is 'roster' based. Not all of the current decoders are in it yet. I noticed that the Digitrax DN135 series are not there yet.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Since your existing one is that old,. if you wish to preserve your roster file there are a few conversion steps you need to follow. It's all on the JMRI site how to do this.
There have been several since 2009
http://www.decoderpro.com/
Everything you need to know is here
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I have a older, est 2009 jmri decoder pro and it doesn't recognize some of the newer decoder's . in there a way to update or do you have to start over with a new program ? Or can you just update bye clicking a" check for update" type thing ? .....Jerry