The Forums on slxdeveloper.com are now retired. The forum archive will remain available for the time being. Thank you for your participation on slxdeveloper.com!
|
|
Suggestions for new computers with Vista
Posted: 19 Feb 07 2:14 PM
|
fiogf49gjkf0d I know Vista isn't supported nor is there any reasonable time frame that it would be. I was wondering what everyone else does when a end user happens to buy a new computer that now can ONLY come with Vista pre-loaded.
Here's the options as I see them:
1) Use Virtual PC 2007 (if you're version ISN'T Home [we're out of luck]) or VMWare 6.0. Use Windows XP as a guest OS until such time that SLX provides support.
2) Run SLX with compatibility mode set to XP.
3) Downgrade to XP Professional which really means a complete reformat/reinstall. All the OEM software gets loaded again. If this were my laptop it wouldn't be an option or I'd require Vista be put back on when SLX gains support.
4) This laptop is replacing one that died under warranty. If the computer were to be repaired no extra work should be necessary.
I do all of my development work in VMWare on a XP guest/host setup but I've also used Virtual PC 2004. I'm confident SLX can be used in this environment despite my lack of testing the remote client. I have not tested VMWare 6.0 or Virtual PC 2007 running Vista as the host OS, though.
I'm leaning towards option #1 but #2 would probably require the least amount of duplicate work. The only issue with #2 is that Home Premium would have to be upgraded to Business to support connectivity to our domain but that would ultimately happen when SLX is supported. My only concern with option #1 is how VMWare 6.0 behaves because if it's not as stable as 5.5 then my user will definitely have problems.
I need a solution where SLX works until such time that Vista is officially supported. The least amount of work and purchases are ideal but I realize some bullets will just have to be bit as necessary. |
|
|
|
Re: Suggestions for new computers with Vista
Posted: 19 Feb 07 3:20 PM
|
fiogf49gjkf0d I'm not sure that #2 works. Mike Spragg has done several tests, IIRC he's said XP compatibility mode isn't enough to get it to work. I've not tested this myself so I can't say for sure, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't work. Maybe Mike will chime in to confirm.
-Ryan |
|
|
|
Re: Suggestions for new computers with Vista
Posted: 19 Feb 07 6:09 PM
|
fiogf49gjkf0d That's kind of what I figured. I won't even consider it an option then.
This is a laptop so VM use may not be optimal due to the slow RPM-ness of laptop drives. I've not tried VPC2007 on the machine but I have a feeling it flat out won't install due to the Business+ limitation. I also left my external HD at home with my existing VPC and VMWare images on it. Had it been here, I could have simply tested just to make sure it'd work *reasonably*. If it ran slow, too slow, I'd most likely have my answer.
It looks like I'll need to get with the user either way to determine what is a feasable option. If VM isn't slow and they feel they can use it, it's the obvious choice. If it's slow and/or unusable then I'd have no choice but to downgrade. Hopefully that won't happen because I don't want to be tasked with ultimately putting Vista back on and upgrading it to Business when SLX catches up. |
|
|
|
Re: Suggestions for new computers with Vista
Posted: 19 Feb 07 6:12 PM
|
fiogf49gjkf0d Oh, I hear you. This is a topic I'm not at all happy about. It really drives me nuts that Vista isn't supported and it won't be some a bit still.  |
|
|
|
Re: Suggestions for new computers with Vista
Posted: 19 Feb 07 7:25 PM
|
fiogf49gjkf0d Virtual PC 2007 installs on Home Premium but gives a nice couple of disclaimers saying it's not supported. The wording of the EULA leads me to believe it's not "legal" as a guest OS but isn't "supported" as a host. Since I've never called MS tech support, "supported" doesn't really concern me. Hopefully no blue screens will result and force my hand.
It looks like what I'm going to do is bring in a VPC and VMWare image and run them both in front of the user. They'll pick which one seems easiest/fastest and hopefully it won't be incredibly slow. From there I'll have to build out which ever image is picked considering it's just a base install of XP. I'm not too keen on running SLX in a VM on a daily basis but it beats a couple of reformats any day of the week. |
|
|
|
Re: Suggestions for new computers with Vista
Posted: 20 Feb 07 2:35 AM
|
fiogf49gjkf0d Actually, it appears it is possible to make it work - in discussions with SLX right now - apparently, they have it working so I will let you know asap as to what they've done to get it to work. However, even when it does work - there are still issues with attachments and activities - so, not 100% but better.
I think the only way to go right now (100%) is to use VM image or, more simply, buy laptop with Vista, wipe disk and install XP (which is legal). |
|
|
| |
|
Re: Suggestions for new computers with Vista
Posted: 20 Feb 07 10:09 AM
|
fiogf49gjkf0d OK, this is what I have right now - been working on this this morning:
7.0.1 Only
Login as a domain admin
Switch off the LUA piece (stops the popups) - using Local Security Policy : User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode
Install SQL Server 2005 SP2
Install SLX as normal
Ensure the SLXServer is started as a domain/local admin account
Run slxsystem.exe /Install and then set logon to a valid domain/local admin account (don't leave as Local System)
Explore to pf\saleslogix and right click the slxystem.exe - set the Compatibility mode to Windows XP Service Pack 2 (make sure this is for all users, button at bottom of screen)
Restart PC
You should then be able to start Connection Manager and define a connection to SQL Server
You should then be able to start Admin and create a connection to provider - Admin will work - but Admin will error on exit
During the install (if anyone wishes to repeat) I received an error on the registration of all the OCX's - please can they let me know if they get them too
Consequently, SLX will launch and run - but will error on the display of the MV's etc. - it will then repeatedly error until killed by Vista.
This is as far as I am at the moment - waiting to see what SLX says about the OCX issue... will post more as I find it !
|
|
|
| |
|
Re: Suggestions for new computers with Vista
Posted: 20 Feb 07 10:35 AM
|
fiogf49gjkf0d OK, worked around that one too:
Using explorer - go to c:\windows\system32 and find cmd.exe - right click and then "run as administrator". This gets you to a command prompt (do not just run a cmd prompt - doesn't work!)
cd\prog*\sal*
dir *.ocx
regsvr32 - the list of OCX's shown above. Now SLX runs but hangs when dismissing the activity reminder screen. Stay tuned ! |
|
|
|
Re: Suggestions for new computers with Vista
Posted: 21 Feb 07 12:35 AM
|
fiogf49gjkf0d Update - even though these issues are surmountable - I then hit a stumbling block - the Activity Reminder screen takes in excess of 30 mins to remove itself from the screen and then moving around tabs - will appear to hang product - but a wait of 20-30 mins will "release" it. Definitely not ready for prime-time! |
|
|
| |
| |
|
Re: Suggestions for new computers with Vista
Posted: 21 Feb 07 1:01 PM
|
fiogf49gjkf0d It's actually not a bad thing that you got that far, it means there shouldn't be *much* work to getting it ready, especially if that may be one of the only areas affected. Delphi v7 barely included XP theme support so I figured it'd need a little massaging to be Vista-ready anyway.
Regarding the legality of repaving a new computer with XP, doesn't that require a retail copy? Not that a VM image wouldn't but if this were my machine I'd be expecting Vista to be put back on when SLX caught up. Using a VM would save that step for the most part.
Since I can't rightfully tell a remote user to not use reminders, it looks like VMWare 6 for us as well. |
|
|
|
Re: Suggestions for new computers with Vista
Posted: 21 Feb 07 1:26 PM
|
fiogf49gjkf0d Well, if it's not retail then it would SA or similar - which I'm sure would be legit. I'm sure there's a workaround somewhere ! Either way, I'm forcing Dell to supply Vista read kit with XP installed for the moment ! |
|
|
|