XtrakCad and Microsoft Vista Part II

[rclarkdc]

In my earlier thread, I promised to report back on my continuing efforts to install XtrakCad under Vista on my new budget laptop.

Don 2816 gave the almost winning suggestion.  Turning off user control allowed the download to go to completion, and installation proceeded without incident.  The program seems to work based on a quick pass. So it was on to the help file to enter the open registration code and uncripple the workspace.

Then I learned that Microsoft has discontinued the old help file reader as an initial Vista component.  I guess that's a modestly disingenuous attempt to get fools like me to upgrade to newer programs in order to have a working help function.  Undeterred, I scooted off to Microsoft's website, following, in fairness, a link supplied in Vista.  I downloaded the plugin, learning on the way that there are two downloads available with no guidance given as to which is which.  I got my guidance by downloading the wrong plugin first.  Additional guidance was provided when the plugin did not install from Firefox but did install just fine from IE7.

That done, I was favored with a usable help file, and Xtrak was beginning to feel familiar.

The I opened the registration dialog box to enter the open registration code.  The registration box will not accept input.  Period.  So, for the moment, I'm restricted to a 4x8 workspace.  Pretending I'm in n scale instead of HO will help some, but if anybody has any thoughts on how to get info into the recalcitrant dialog box, I'd sure appreciate them!

Don, again thanks.  What I have is lots better than nothing.

 Bob

[Vernon/IN]

Which version are you using?  If it's not 4.0.2 you may want to getthe latest version at this site.

I believe the help system has been brought up to date and there is no longer any need to register for full functionality.

 

Vernon 

[Vail and Southwestern RR]

Which version are you using?  If it's not 4.0.2 you may want to getthe latest version at this site.

I believe the help system has been brought up to date and there is no longer any need to register for full functionality.

 

Vernon 

The registration part is definitely true.  Don't now about the help. 

[Don 2816]

Bob,

I'm glad my advice was helpful, thanks for letting me know.  I suspect the Vista User Account Control is the cause of most users headaches.  

I haven't used Xtrkcad but the advice about ensuring you have the latest version sounds good.

Don

[rclarkdc]

This may be part of it.  I have ver. 3.14 which I downloaded directly from the Sillub site.  Google didn't point me to a higher version, eg 4.02.  Did I miss something on the Sillub site, or have I missed a better link?

[BlueHillsCPR]

This may be part of it.  I have ver. 3.14 which I downloaded directly from the Sillub site.  Google didn't point me to a higher version, eg 4.02.  Did I miss something on the Sillub site, or have I missed a better link?

http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage 

Version 4.02 is avaialble here. 

[Vail and Southwestern RR]

This may be part of it.  I have ver. 3.14 which I downloaded directly from the Sillub site.  Google didn't point me to a higher version, eg 4.02.  Did I miss something on the Sillub site, or have I missed a better link?

The xtrkcad.org site has the current version.  The sillub site stopped being updated when the software went open source, and the original author stopped supporting it (at least directly, I have no idea if he is still involved in the open sorce project or not).