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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: Noells on Monday 11 August 14 03:29 BST (UK)
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I am considering purchasing a new computer which will be a 64bit. I have a set of "Digger" Index cd's and know that they will not work in 64bit.
I have found a website selling software called BDM Revival which will read all the discs on a 64bit computer and was wondering if any of you are already using this ???
Noells
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Hi Noells,
I was in a similar position after Windows XP went AWOL, and I also, have a number of Digger products.
I had heard about a software programme that was able to read 32 bit software on a 64 bit system too, but I purchased a computer and put 2 hard drives on it, one 32 bit, the other 64bit, [1TB each drive]. On start-up, you choose which system, 32 or 64 bit, you want, just like changing users.
Perhaps a waste of money, but then again throwing away Digger programmes that can cost hundreds of dollars each, I thought it was worth the expense. Unless you can be sure that the product you heard about works, I would consider the option I took.
George
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Hi Noell,
I have a 64 bit Windows 7 Professional and to use my Digger cd's I had Windows XP mode installed on my computer.
From http://www.macbeth.com.au/digger/support.html (http://www.macbeth.com.au/digger/support.html)
Will DiggerTM work with Windows 7?
The various editions of Windows 7 come in 32-bit and 64-bit variants. DiggerTM itself should work without any problems with 32-bit Windows 7, however it will not work with 64-bit. If you are unsure which type of Windows 7 you have, click on Start-Control Panel-System and Security-System, and look for the System Type.
There is one known issue when running DiggerTM under 32-bit Windows 7. The help system may not work. On Microsoft's web site at http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=917607 you will find an update that should fix this. After you have downloaded the update, use the "Fix it" button on the page to prevent a "Macros are disabled" error message.
If you want to use DiggerTM with Windows 7 64-bit, we suggest you download and install Windows XP Mode. Windows XP Mode makes use of Microsoft Virtual PC, and it integrates with Windows 7, so you can launch DiggerTM from the Windows 7 Start menu. Windows XP Mode and Microsoft Virtual PC are both free products from Microsoft. Windows XP Mode is only available for Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate. You can download Windows XP Mode and Microsoft Virtual PC from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx.
I'm not very computer savvy but it may be worth you contacting Macbeth if you need help downloading the program.
Regards,
Sashar
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Enter "windows xp mode" in a search engine,free from microsoft.
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thanks everyone
I sent an email to the makers of BMD Revival and have been told that the records are currently only in DOS.
Looks like I now follow the xp mode Microsoft suggestion.
Noells
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Do you have a reason to be going 64 bit?
I run Windows 7 32 bit from a solid state drive, it is fantastically fast and it runs "Digger" no problems.
I ran XP in 64 bit and had that many problems with programmes not working that I really shied away from 64 bit this time.
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Hi Rusted,
I run Windows7 Professional. Totally agree, with your advice.
George
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Others in this household want 64bit. For no good reason in my opinion. I certainly don't want to go back to DOS - looks like I have some further discussions to get 32bit ::)
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I'd say the reason they want 64 bit is because they can play games at a faster rate.
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I use window 8 but have a program called Oracle V M Virtual Box Version 4.2.6 that run my dos cd's
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Assuming you have installation disks for an early version of Windows (XP works very well), Oracle's free Virtualbox running in later versions of Windows, and installing e.g. XP as a virtual machine works extremely well. Setting up the VM is reasonably straightforward, and you can usually run the Digger data disks either through virtual access to the physical CD/DVD drive of the host system, or from a virtual drive that can easily be set up inside Virtualbox [then using an ISO copy of the disk in a shared location so the VM can access it]. One constraint is that you do need a reasonably large amount of storage on the host machine, as any VM for this purpose will need at least about 10GB of space.
I can give further help to anyone who has old data disks they want to use on current versions of Windows if required.