Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

XtrakCad and micosoft vista

3873 views
40 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Northern Va
  • 64 posts
XtrakCad and micosoft vista
Posted by rclarkdc on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 11:14 PM
A few minutes ago I tried without success to install Xtrak on a new laptop which runs under microsoft vista.  Xtrak simply refused to install (it works fine on my desktop under windows XP).  Am I alone with this problem?  If not, can anone direct me to a workaround?
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Midtown Sacramento
  • 3,340 posts
Posted by Jetrock on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 11:20 PM
Upgrade to XP.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
  • 578 posts
Posted by Blue Flamer on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 12:05 AM

 Jetrock wrote:
Upgrade to XP.

  Sign - Ditto [#ditto]

I bought a new Laptop last year that has Vista Ultimate installed from the Factory. After I had no end of trouble trying to load programs including Norton Antivirus I gave up and took it to a Service Tech. It only took this professional 3+ hours to load ONE Antivirus program FROM MY DISC no less. He only charged me $40 for all his time with no extra charge to replace all the hair he pulled out in frustration.  Banged Head [banghead]

If I had my way, I would have blown Vista away and loaded my XP from the old computer but I was informed that it would void the warranty. I only have 25 months to wait. Whoopee.  Sign - Dots [#dots]

Microsoft should be strung up by the S---T and C----'S for foisting such a CRAP product on the public.

 

Blue Flamer.


 

"There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"." Dave Barry, Syndicated Columnist. "There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes." Doctor Who.
  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Victoria, BC
  • 54 posts
Posted by Don 2816 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 12:11 AM

Before you upgrade to XP, check the setting of your User Account Control.  In Control Panel, User Accounts, there is an entry to Turn User Account Control On/Off.  Try turning it off and redo the install.  You can always turn this control back on again.

This is the annoying feature that always asks if you really want to do something, like create a new file.  It's possible that when installing software, a temporary or permanent file is needed and Vista can't tell who to send the dumb question to, so it cancels the install.   

Don 

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 12:26 AM
 Blue Flamer wrote:

If I had my way, I would have blown Vista away and loaded my XP from the old computer but I was informed that it would void the warranty. 

 

Well that would have decided it for me...back to the store for a refund! That would be the day I let anybody dictate what OS I was using.

 

Microsoft should be strung up by the S---T and C----'S for foisting such a CRAP product on the public.

Blue Flamer.

INDEED...back when they released Windows 95...or should I say Mac 89! Laugh [(-D]

VISTA SUCKS!
 

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 12:30 AM

 rclarkdc wrote:
A few minutes ago I tried without success to install Xtrak on a new laptop which runs under microsoft vista.  Xtrak simply refused to install (it works fine on my desktop under windows XP).  Am I alone with this problem?  If not, can anone direct me to a workaround?

Indeed.  And if it should ever install the help will not work, or so I have heard until you download something from Microsloth.  Wipe it clean and install XP w/ service pack 2...it's reasonably stable now at least. No Vista in this house with 4 computers in it, NEVER!

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: south central PA
  • 580 posts
Posted by concretelackey on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 5:03 AM

I have Vista (32 bit) on our home computer and it loaded every program I ever thru at it EXCEPT for the drivers for the $100 4in1 machine we bought 1 month before the computer. I wanted XP PRO but as stated that would have voided microsoft's warranty and cost me an additional $100 for the store to load it. They claimed I had a choice of factory loaded Vista or MAC, microsoft mandated that no factory loaded earlier version could be sold after a set date.

 

 

 

 

 

Our original computer died about 1 month after that date...........

Ken aka "CL" "TIS QUITE EASY TO SCREW CONCRETE UP BUT TIS DARN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO UNSCREW IT"
  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 8:56 AM

 concretelackey wrote:
but as stated that would have voided microsoft's warranty.

MICROSOFTS WARRANTY! Laugh [(-D]

THAT'S A GOOD ONE!!! Laugh [(-D]

Boy it's nice to be a power user and ex-computer store manager.  Yeah Microsloth gets crabby and will threaten to pull the stores vendor license if they sell an older copy of windows with a new system.  It's so you have no choice but to buy their latest crap operation system.  However you can demand to have no OS installed and do it yourself.  If it wasn't for the piracy issues I would offer everyone a copy of my custom installation CD.  It boots from the CD-rom, installs XP with Service pack 2 and runs a number of vital registry hacks and completes the install all the way to the last reboot and login without me having to do anything it answers all the install questions for me, similar to an OEM installation package but ten times better! I wish I could share it with the world!

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:16 AM
I agree that Vista is junk. When a friend of mine gave me a computer,the HD was blank. I went out and bought XP Home addition upgrade version ($99) and loaded it as a full version.It was great.Found everything and had the drivers for them.I later installed Service Pack2.I have never had a problem installing a program on XP.I'll never upgrade to Vista.Bob
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Vancouver
  • 110 posts
Posted by mearrin69 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:34 AM

Guys, guys, what's with all the hate? I have a six-month-old laptop and have been running Vista since day one. No problems at all (except that it wants a better graphics chip than I have installed) and, in fact, it runs better than XP pro ever did. A little perspective...this is the exact same reaction people had when 95, 2000, and XP came out. I was there on the front lines for all of those launches and they *all* sucked harder than Vista (well, XP wasn't too bad).

Anyway, on topic....I don't have any trouble running XtrkCAD on Vista. Didn't have to jump through any hoops...just installed it.
M

 

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:42 AM
 mearrin69 wrote:

Guys, guys, what's with all the hate? I have a six-month-old laptop and have been running Vista since day one. No problems at all (except that it wants a better graphics chip than I have installed) and, in fact, it runs better than XP pro ever did. A little perspective...this is the exact same reaction people had when 95, 2000, and XP came out. I was there on the front lines for all of those launches and they *all* sucked harder than Vista (well, XP wasn't too bad).

Anyway, on topic....I don't have any trouble running XtrkCAD on Vista. Didn't have to jump through any hoops...just installed it.
M

 

If you say so...Whistling [:-^]

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Vancouver
  • 110 posts
Posted by mearrin69 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:48 AM

 BlueHillsCPR wrote:
If you say so...

I do, in fact, say so.

What problems, exactly, are you having with Vista? Works fine for me.

Or is it just Microsoftitis? Maybe a move to Mac is in order if that is the case? Of course you'd have to run a Windows emulator if you want much besides artist tools...oh, wait, Adobe releases for Windows first now... Wink [;)]
M

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • 565 posts
Posted by Bapou on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:53 AM
I have heard from several computer techs that Vista is junk "never buy it!". Who here heard of Windows ME? Well some people say Vista is as bad as that and that means really bad!
Go NJT, NJ Transit, New Jersey Transit. Whatever you call it its good. See my pictures and videos here: http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff20/Bapouthetrainman/
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 294 posts
Posted by Shilshole on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:57 AM
 mearrin69 wrote:

 BlueHillsCPR wrote:
If you say so...

What problems, exactly, are you having with Vista?

 

It's the ubiquitous PBCAC virus... 

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:05 AM
 mearrin69 wrote:

 BlueHillsCPR wrote:
If you say so...

I do, in fact, say so.

What problems, exactly, are you having with Vista? Works fine for me.

Or is it just Microsoftitis? Maybe a move to Mac is in order if that is the case? Of course you'd have to run a Windows emulator if you want much besides artist tools...oh, wait, Adobe releases for Windows first now... Wink [;)]
M

Ok time for a little perspective.  I was in school getting a diploma in computer networking when Windows 95 came out.  There was one guy there who thought Windows 95 was "AWESOME"  Meanwhile Millions of others thought otherwise.  There is always one guy who thinks the latest thing from Microsoft is AWESOME!  Since then I have passed the CNA, (NOVELL) testing and am A+ certified. I have worked as a computer technician, contract on-site support tech, and managed a retail computer outlet where I spec'd, built, configured and repaired computer and network systems.  I have spec'd and built video editing systems for professional editors using Avid products.  I began my experience with computers with a  commodore 64 with a tape drive.  Next was a mac.  Then I went to PC's with DOS and Window's 3.1 and have been with PC's ever since except for the occaisional foray into UNIX.  Microsoftitis is not my issue with Vista.  Bad codeitis is the issue as it always is when Microsoft issues a new OS.  In your case maybe it is MicroButtKissitis? Smile [:)]

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Vancouver
  • 110 posts
Posted by mearrin69 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:06 AM

 Shilshole wrote:
It's the ubiquitous PBCAC virus... 

I don't know that one. I am aware of the ID-10T virus that sometimes comes into play where Microsoft products are concerned.
M

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:07 AM

 Bapou wrote:
I have heard from several computer techs that Vista is junk "never buy it!". Who here heard of Windows ME? Well some people say Vista is as bad as that and that means really bad!

Yeah I remember the fools that thought ME was AWSOME too!  Laugh [(-D] Now most of us know better.

As for my problems with Vista.  I have none on my systems becasue Vista will never touch my drives. Smile [:)]

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:08 AM
 Shilshole wrote:
 mearrin69 wrote:

 BlueHillsCPR wrote:
If you say so...

What problems, exactly, are you having with Vista?

 

It's the ubiquitous PBCAC virus... 

Don't you mean PEBKAC?

Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair... 

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Vancouver
  • 110 posts
Posted by mearrin69 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:11 AM

 BlueHillsCPR wrote:
Ok time for a little perspective.  I was in school getting a diploma in computer networking when Windows 95 came out...it is MicroButtKissitis? Smile [:)]

Yah. Okay. Same level of experience as you...except I was a working professional using computers daily when Windows 3.1 came out (in fact, when the Amiga came out)...so, I guess that maybe makes me more of an old-timer than you. Microsoft stuff usually does suck out the door. It's the only show going though and Vista is better than most of their other OS rollouts.

There're always 50 guys that start complaining about MS' new products long before they're out the door - and they continue to complain bitterly about them until just after the next generation gets launched...then the old version inspires talk about the 'good old days'.

Perspective.
M

N.B. None of this is helping the original poster. Can you maybe tell us in detail what's happening and we can try to help out a little better than asking you to change your operating system?

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 294 posts
Posted by Shilshole on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:12 AM
 mearrin69 wrote:

 Shilshole wrote:
It's the ubiquitous PBCAC virus... 

I don't know that one. I am aware of the ID-10T virus that sometimes comes into play where Microsoft products are concerned.
M

 

Very similar but more pervasive, even affecting Apple products.  Usually infects computers lacking the RTFM widget.

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:15 AM
 mearrin69 wrote:

 Shilshole wrote:
It's the ubiquitous PBCAC virus... 

I don't know that one. I am aware of the ID-10T virus that sometimes comes into play where Microsoft products are concerned.
M

Apparently you like name calling?  That's mature.

In 12-13 years Microsoft has released seven operating systems.  Win95, 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, XP, Vista...not including the various flavours for home, office, work or whatever.  In all cases they released an OS that was full of holes, and bad code.  Prior to getting a completely stable product they moved on to release yet another buggy OS.  Microsoft makes it's money by delivering a bad product to the consumer and yet people still defend their crap.  Go figure.

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 294 posts
Posted by Shilshole on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:16 AM
 BlueHillsCPR wrote:

Don't you mean PEBKAC?

 

No, PBCAC is a more general variant.  Don't need no steenking keyboard... 

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Vancouver
  • 110 posts
Posted by mearrin69 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:24 AM

 BlueHillsCPR wrote:
Apparently you like name calling?  That's mature.

Apparently you like to jump to conclusions. That's paranoid.

It was in no way directed at you. It was a *joke* - one you, as an IT person no doubt hear frequently. 

Again, not helping the OP.
M

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:25 AM

 mearrin69 wrote:
I was a working professional using computers daily when Windows 3.1 came out (in fact, when the Amiga came out)...so, I guess that maybe makes me more of an old-timer than you.

Yes I agree, most of what you might have learned in school is fairly outdated now.

As you said we should get back on topic here...I believe it was XTRKCAD AND Microsoft Vista... 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 294 posts
Posted by Shilshole on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:29 AM
 BlueHillsCPR wrote:

Apparently you like name calling?  That's mature.

 

And hyperventilating over an OS is mature? 


Microsoft makes it's money by delivering a bad product to the consumer and yet people still defend their crap.  Go figure.

 

s/Microsoft/Digitrax

s/Microsoft/BLI

s/Microsoft/Athearn Bluebox

 

Go figure. 

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Vancouver
  • 110 posts
Posted by mearrin69 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:29 AM
Maybe a mod could clean up in here? I did not mean to contribute to the general chaos of the thread - just thought maybe we could help the OP without suggesting he completely rearrange his computer.
  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:29 AM
 mearrin69 wrote:

 BlueHillsCPR wrote:
Apparently you like name calling?  That's mature.

Apparently you like to jump to conclusions. That's paranoid.

It was in no way directed at you. It was a *joke* - one you, as an IT person no doubt hear frequently. 

Again, not helping the OP.
M

Apparently you assume I thought you were directing that at me?  You know where assuming gets you.  I was speaking in general.  Again, as you said, your not helping the O.P....moving on now. 

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Vancouver
  • 110 posts
Posted by mearrin69 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:32 AM

K. I'm out. BlueHillsCPR can argue with himself.

OP, if you'd care to try to resolve your issues with XTrkCAD and Vista feel free to shoot me a PM. I have it working on my setup and can maybe help you figure out what's going wrong.

If you'd rather replace your OS then you can chat with the folks on this thread.
Cheers,
M

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 294 posts
Posted by Shilshole on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:45 AM

OP:

Not that this will solve your problem, but I had to download XtrakCad a couple times to get a file that would install properly.  The proper d/l installed flawlessly on Dells running ME, XP, and Vista.

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: North Vancouver, BC
  • 155 posts
Posted by DavidH on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 12:13 PM

I have also installed XtrakCad on my Vista machine with no problem.  I also run 3rdPlanit with no issues.

David

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!