My old Vista powered laptop is on its way out. Constant shutdowns and the dreaded blue screen is rearing its ugly head. I can't complain. Its only 10 years old and has never malfunctioned before this. So I went PC shopping today. Try finding a PC with Win 7. All that is out there is 8 or 8.1. Its like having a giant smartphone operating system. Im not happy with it but I guess I will adapt to it. Just wondering if JMRI and my Lokprogrammer will work with it? Anyone using JMRI with Win 8.1?
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
JMRI runs fine with Windows 8. Just have to make sure you have Java installed.
If it's JUST for the railroad and not your main computer, you may be better off buying an off-lease used one, which will more than likely have Win7 on it.
Or, you can still buy Win7 and just wipe out the Win8 install (be sure to make the backups so you cna put it all back in the future when Win8 is accepted)
And finally, there are several free Start Menu replacement apps for Win8 that basically make it look just like Win7, the Metro part is hidden unless you invoke it, you get the typical desktop with a Start menu in the lower left to access your stuff.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Try looking at Hewellet Packard. They recently sent me an ad saying that they will supply a new computer with either Win 7 or 8.1.
Joe
I have a WIN 8 laptop with a LocoBuffer USB attached to my Digitrax command station - No problem. If you are using a PR3, there are some install notes on the Digitrax web site.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
My understanding is that the new win8/8.1 computers will not accept a win 7 installation because of the new security system and change of bios.
I think that's mostly FUD
My current desktop system (which I built myself, that's the BEST option if you have at least a modicum of skills, just BUILD one, and order a copy of Win7 to install) is pretty new, has the newer UEFI BIOS, and runs Win7 GREAT. In fact, with the UEFI BIOS and the SSD I have for my C drive, it goes from power off to prompting for password to log in in about 5 seconds. The Windows logo for Windows 7 doesn't even fully come together before the screen blinks and I get a password prompt.
I believe the licensing says you can't just get any old copy of Win7 and downgrade, you have to actually buy a copy. Used to be you could run any previous version of whatever it is you hold a license for, but not any more.
I have a desktop running windows 8.1 and JMRI runs great with it. As stated by another user, be certain you have the latest java installed also whatever other pre-requisites before installing JMRI. If you happen to get windows 8, you can do a free upgrade to 8.1, that's what I did. Not a lot of changes in 8.1 but it seemed nothing wanted to install while I still had the windows 8 running. I don't have a Lokprogrammer so I can't say if that works or not with 8.1 but I don't see why it wouldn't.
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
Thanks guys.
I bit the bullet and picked up a nice 17.6 inch laptop with win 8.1 and the PC mover program and cable. The transfer of files and programs took almost 2 hours and well worth the $40. I went online and found out th within win 8.1 you can configure it to boot to desktop. Except for the missing my computer icon the desktop is exactly like the old laptop but much larger. My saved CV settings and Lokprogrammer settings transfered over without a hitch and works better than the old machine.
As an aside I also picked up a 500 gig slim drive to backup files and folders. Cheep money ($59) for piece of mind in case of a hard drive failure. That has happened to me before on my last desktop machine. Sudden hard drive failures can really mess you up. Shop around, the deals are out there.
I'm all set, I have a server that backs up all the computers in my house on a daily basis. It stores all files on at least two different drives in the system, so a failure will not cuase me to lose data. The important stuff like photos I have ALSO backed up to a cloud-based backup. The rest of the stuff would be a pain to re-aquire but not impossible and it's not critical anyway. Need to add more space soon, 13TB (yes, TB) almost full - well, total data is actually half that, since it duplicates everything.