help needed: new computer advice!

[Akai]

So, I need a new laptop for work. My current laptop is held together by binder clips and super-glue. All I ask of this new laptop is that it have wi-fi, that it run my accounting program (MYOB 7), my database program (Homebase 2.3) and NWN. And be cheap, because I am very poor And be simple to use, for I do not understand much about computers.

So I buy a new laptop and it won't run MYOB. The way it failed makes me think that Windows 7 won't run MYOB; it told me to try a compatibility wizard with a bunch of options of previous operating systems, none of which worked. The store tells me no one sells anything but Windows 7 anymore.

So I buy a used laptop, a Dell Latitude d600 off Craigslist. The guy who was selling it wanted to meet at a gas station, which should have been a clue, because the computer is a gyp. It keeps switching to battery power, and won't recharge the battery, which means that as soon as this battery discharges the whole computer will be useless; after looking up similar problems on the internet, it sounds like a loose power socket, which costs hundreds of $$ to fix.

What next? Help!

[Sable]

Hi All



Officially MYOB only supports v18 and up on Windows Vista or Windows 7. This is using either 32bit or 64bit.



Anything below this is not supported and has not been tested by our engineers.



We have done some in-house testing of the older product and we had real trouble getting a stable version of v17 running on Vista or Windows 7 so I highly doubt you will be able to get v14 running at all, this testing was done on 32bit, we didn't even bother testing 64bit based on the 32bit results.



I will state that it was just tested in-house by some tech reps to see what would work and what would not, this is not official testing or results.

A quote from the MYOB site...

[Zombie]

Do you know anyone who can install Windows XP on the new laptop you brought?

[Akai]

Ah, nope, believe it or not I am the most tech-savvy person in my immediate circle, and my experience is with *blush* MS-DOS. I seem to recall that the method for installing a new operating system starts with typing format c: or format c:/s

(I would be more embarrassed about admitting that except that I expect most of the people who know what MS-DOS is are more or less in my age range too and not likely to point and laugh.)

However, latest plan! I ordered a laptop from Dell with Vista installed. (I so didn't want Vista, but I tested MYOB on Rudiki's Vista computer, and it seemed to work so... fingers crossed!)

[Moonyju]

*squeezies Akai*

Hey. I started working on computers on a C-64. Learned basic programming on that too, when everyone was switching to PC and Windows! =) Nothing about MS-DOS to be embarrassed about!

Glad you have another plan! And hopefully this will be all better now for you!

[davicurtistaggart]

and i learned by banging two rocks together! good luck,akai,hope you find a great solution.

[Sable]

I know some versions of visa (pro iirc) have an XP compatability mode (creates a virtual server instance of XP on your machine), but assumed 7 would be the same.

[Zombie]

win7 does have virtual Pc and certainly a virtual install would work, but with no one able to install it, its a hard thing to set up.

[Akai]

In further developments, the new Dell arrived, and I have been installing programs; they seem to run! (Albeit with quirks; I have to continually click yes (or occasionally no) to tell the computer that yes the program I just started does have permission to run (or no, don't block it); and the database failed to save once for no discernable reason.)

Furthermore, I learned that docking stations or port replicators bypass the power jack on the d600, and they are available on eBay for $15; so the dud computer becomes a working computer when docked! Since Rudiki's laptop is also on its last legs, next question is: what file do we switch out from Rudiki's old machine (which has Rudiki's CD keys) to the d600 (which was installed with my CD keys) to get NWN to think that it's Rudiki's? or does it need a whole reinstall?

For others who may be in the same boat, further info learned is that computer manufacturers are only allowed to sell Vista through mid-October of this year. Also, it is possible to download an XP emulator for Windows 7 Business or Ultimate (but not Home.) Also, one is allowed to downgrade Windows 7 Business or Vista Business (but not Home) to XP.

[Doug Danger]

Since Rudiki's laptop is also on its last legs, next question is: what file do we switch out from Rudiki's old machine (which has Rudiki's CD keys) to the d600 (which was installed with my CD keys) to get NWN to think that it's Rudiki's?

Open his main NWN folder scroll down, it'll be a file named CD key's, right click and copy that file...paste it into a new folder, or where ever your going to save it to transfer it. After you have it transfered onto the D600, open the d600 main nwn folder, delete the cd keys file in it, then paste the cd key file your transfering into the main folder. ( right click in the white of the main folder and paste no need to worry about which order it pasts in or anything it's an identical file except for the cd keys writen inside it) then start the game. I do this everytime a friend wants to use my back up to play when they stop buy for a visit.

...the other option is to open the main NWn folder on the D 600 delete the CD key file and start the game, it'll then prompt you for the cd keys. this way is a PITA though, cause you'll have to manually imput them.. Much eaiser doing it the first way...

[Akai]

Thanks!