I still have my original RR-Track v4.02 installation CD but am now running Windows 8.1.
I was under the impression that since I actually purchased the product however many years ago, that I can get a free upgrade to work with Windows 8.1 by providing my license number. However, I can't seem to find anything of the sort on their web site.....and they don't have a customer support number to call. Just an email address that has been nonresponsive to me.
Any thoughts/help?
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I do not remember a free upgrade for Windows 8 and if there was one, I suspect it would have been a limited-time offer. I could be wrong, I upgraded to 5.0 as soon as it was released.
http://www.rrtrack.com/html/online_bundles.html
There's a heading v5 upgrades at the top right of the price structure. Click on that.
Berkshire President posted:I still have my original RR-Track v4.02 installation CD but am now running Windows 8.1.
I was under the impression that since I actually purchased the product however many years ago, that I can get a free upgrade to work with Windows 8.1 by providing my license number. However, I can't seem to find anything of the sort on their web site.....and they don't have a customer support number to call. Just an email address that has been nonresponsive to me.
Any thoughts/help?
It takes them a while to reply to emails. I have always gotten a reply, but maybe a week or so later sometimes.
They do have an upgrade area on their website, not sure if any v4.xx versions are still available, but it wouldn't hurt to look around. Their site is kind of hard to navigate, IMO, so you might need to poke around a little. Other than that, I know of no upgrades other than paid upgrades from v4.xx to v5.xx whatever it is now. I have had v5.xx for at least 5 years or more so I am doubtful they would still be upgrading any v4.xx versions, but you never know?
http://www.rrtrack.com/html/online_bundles.html
looks like 55 bucks is the best I can do. oh well......
I've always viewed track planning software like this: if it keeps you from buying one switch you don't need, it's worth it.
BTW: I was still using version 4.2 until my old desktop took a dump. I recovered the files but now need the software. I already "guessed" wrong on a layout upgrade I was planning.
I have RR Track, both 4.x and 5.x. There is no free upgrade from 4.x to 5.x. Which 5.x upgrade you purchase depends on the status of what you have. To get the least expensive upgrade, you need to have 4.x installed before you install 5.x. If you don't have the original media and software key, this is not possible. I chose the slightly more expensive upgrade that did not have a dependency on the old software. I have an upgrade version that installs without having the 4.x installed first.
Tony
What Tony says sounds vaguely familiar. I don' t think 4.x will install on a Windows 8 machine and maybe not even Windows 7.
Berkshire President posted:http://www.rrtrack.com/html/online_bundles.html
looks like 55 bucks is the best I can do. oh well......
I've always viewed track planning software like this: if it keeps you from buying one switch you don't need, it's worth it.
BTW: I was still using version 4.2 until my old desktop took a dump. I recovered the files but now need the software. I already "guessed" wrong on a layout upgrade I was planning.
Definitely less than a new switch, at least the Atlas ones I have anyway. And I would certainly agree the upgrade is worth it if it saves you money (maybe even if it doesn't, if you are already familiar with it). I believe that RR-Track still has one of the most complete track libraries and accessories libraries of anything else available, so there are still some advantages to it.
If you're not overly tied to RRT, perhaps try SCARM before you spend another $55 or more. SCARM is worth learning for the simulation feature alone. Even when I design with RRT, I convert to SCARM to run the sim.
Oman posted:What Tony says sounds vaguely familiar. I don' t think 4.x will install on a Windows 8 machine and maybe not even Windows 7.
What's weird is that if 4.02 won't install on my Windows 8.1, I'm never going to be able to get the free upgrade.....if I understand things correctly.
I've very familiar with RRT so I'll probably just ride it out. My next layout revision has already been designed in RRT.
I almost mentioned SCARM as well. I still have not really tried to use it, but I must give the simulation feature a try on one of the posted track plans that I have saved from the forum.
Dave, do you have to redraw the whole layout in SCARM or is there a way to convert? I know you are a LOT better at both programs than I, so it's probably fairly easy for you to convert from scratch.
Berkshire President posted:Oman posted:What Tony says sounds vaguely familiar. I don' t think 4.x will install on a Windows 8 machine and maybe not even Windows 7.
What's weird is that if 4.02 won't install on my Windows 8.1, I'm never going to be able to get the free upgrade.....if I understand things correctly.
I've very familiar with RRT so I'll probably just ride it out. My next layout revision has already been designed in RRT.
I would email them about this question, if you have time to wait for the reply that is. If you have the serial number or whatever from the old program I would think they would help with the new upgrade and install.
SCARM is worth a look, but I am in the same boat as you, I think. I know how to half way use RRT and SCARM is different and requires a bit of learning to use efficiently (or maybe at all?).
Berkshire President posted:What's weird is that if 4.02 won't install on my Windows 8.1, I'm never going to be able to get the free upgrade.....if I understand things correctly.
I've very familiar with RRT so I'll probably just ride it out. My next layout revision has already been designed in RRT.
Not so. Upgrades to v5 do not require previous versions be loaded on your PC.
"The RR-Track v5 Upgrade does not require the presence of a previous version of RR-Track on your PC."
http://www.rrtrack.com/html/v5_upgrades_n1.html
EDIT: Sorry, I misread your post. If you can find someone who will admit there was a "free" upgrade at one time and still honor it, then you won't need to be able to install v4 on your PC. However, I don't believe there was a free upgrade, at least not one that hasn't expired, so I think you should be prepared to shell out the $55
rtr12 posted:Dave, do you have to redraw the whole layout in SCARM or is there a way to convert? I know you are a LOT better at both programs than I, so it's probably fairly easy for you to convert from scratch.
You have to re-enter all the track, but it's not that hard once you're familiar with how SCARM works.
There are many things in SCARM that are nice compared to RRT. For example, if you have a straight section, all you have to do is add the first piece and then press the space bar to add the rest. The same with curves. For example, an oval can be done by selecting only 2 tracks from the library, several presses of the space bar and then copy/past and flip.
The "flip" option is very useful, both horizontal and vertical. Create one reverse loop, copy/paste/flip and you have the other end done. I decided to completely reverse orient a layout in my room once and it was as simple as selecting all and flip, done.
The hardest thing to learn is creating grades, but it's really simple once you figure it out. A lot of it is just reading the documentation and not assuming or expecting things to work the way they do in RRT.
The biggest drawback for me is setting points for polygons. In RRT, I can set specific points in the Properties dialog, not so in SCARM. Most users though probably don't worry about having square buildings or 1x4's that are .75"x35" or 2x4s that are 1.5"x3.5", close enough is good enough for them. 3D bench work design is still easier, quicker and more exacting in RRT. I will say though that being able to add/delete points in polygons in SCARM is also very useful for me, so I do the rough draft in SCARM and the final in RRT, I want 2x4 rails to be 1.5"x3.5"x96", not just close enough. 
Plus, when it comes to support, Mixy simply can't be beat!
DoubleDAZ posted:Berkshire President posted:What's weird is that if 4.02 won't install on my Windows 8.1, I'm never going to be able to get the free upgrade.....if I understand things correctly.
I've very familiar with RRT so I'll probably just ride it out. My next layout revision has already been designed in RRT.
Not so. Upgrades to v5 do not require previous versions be loaded on your PC.
"The RR-Track v5 Upgrade does not require the presence of a previous version of RR-Track on your PC."
Well, I guess I should have looked before I posted. This is not how it was when I upgraded over a year ago. Their upgrade process was a bit peculiar. I can only imaging the switch to not requiring the presence of a previous version was to simplify things.
And for the record, there was never a FREE upgrade from 4.x to 5.x. Also, 4.x will install on Windows 7. The caveat is you have to manually install the help libraries. I wouldn't do that however, 5 is way better.
Tony
DoubleDAZ posted:Berkshire President posted:What's weird is that if 4.02 won't install on my Windows 8.1, I'm never going to be able to get the free upgrade.....if I understand things correctly.
I've very familiar with RRT so I'll probably just ride it out. My next layout revision has already been designed in RRT.
Not so. Upgrades to v5 do not require previous versions be loaded on your PC.
"The RR-Track v5 Upgrade does not require the presence of a previous version of RR-Track on your PC."
That's new. When I upgraded to v5 it required a v4 install. I've had to move it 3 times and each time it was quite an ordeal. Ii'm going to email them and see if they'll send me a v4-less upgrade file.
Thanks
Russ Becker, proprietor of RR-Track is a reasonable guy. If your name and serial no. are on file, I'm sure he'll give you the update price and v5 will install without the prior version present on your machine.
I'm sure SCARM has its merits but once you sink a ton of hours learning one piece of software, it most times makes sense to stay with it.
Just my $0.02.
Steven J. Serenska
P.S. It is vital to have your layout files backed up. I purchased the "S3" cloud backup service from Amazon and all my important files (work and personal) are backed up every night automatically. I pay $1-2 per month for the backup storage. You can't beat it.
And, you can bet your bippie my RRT files are included in the backup. I've probably spent hundreds of hours getting everything "just so". To lose them would be a disaster...
Thanks Dave, I will give it a look and maybe even fiddle around with it a little this time.
Serenska posted:
(EDITED)
P.S. It is vital to have your layout files backed up. I purchased the "S3" cloud backup service from Amazon and all my important files (work and personal) are backed up every night automatically. I pay $1-2 per month for the backup storage. You can't beat it.
Steven,
Could you provide a link or more information, please? I looked at the Amazon website, and searched, but did not see anything as you described - which sounds good, BTW.
Thx!
Alex
Serenska posted:I'm sure SCARM has its merits but once you sink a ton of hours learning one piece of software, it most times makes sense to stay with it.
If that were the case, we'd still be running MS-DOS.
Seriously, while there is a learning curve, like there is with any program, it takes very little effort for RRT users to use SCARM. And even less effort to install it, load a sample design and play with the simulation feature, assuming their PC is capable.
That said, there is no reason to give up on RRT unless you don't want to spend the $55 for the upgrade and whatever v6 will cost, if there ever is a v6. However, since SCARM is free, there is also no reason not to use it for the features RRT doesn't have. I still prefer RRT until I get to the part where I want to see things in 3D and see how trains run in 3D. But that's mostly because I spent the money on it and feel I should use it. I'm also still more proficient with it and my design workflow requires more than 10 layers. Once I'm satisfied with things like bench work, I merge the different layers (rails, cross-members, legs, gussets, decking, multiple modules, etc.) and move the design to SCARM or just begin SCARM from the decking up keeping the bench work in RRT and the track in SCARM. I have no dog in the hunt, just offering options.
rtr12 posted:Thanks Dave, I will give it a look and maybe even fiddle around with it a little this time.
I'm not suggesting anyone give up RTT and replace it with SCARM, just those who don't want to pay the upgrade fee or who are simply looking for something to start with. I started with RRT because SCARM wasn't out yet. In fact, I started with XTrackCAD before that. I don't know if I would have bought RRT had SCARM been available, but I don't mind having it. I do like playing with SCARM's simulation and often download designs simply to do that. And, as you know, I enjoy helping others fix both their RRT and SCARM designs when I can.
Ingeniero No1 posted:Steven,
Could you provide a link or more information, please? I looked at the Amazon website, and searched, but did not see anything as you described - which sounds good, BTW.
Thx!
Alex
I'm not Steven, but here you go Alex. I may look into this myself, though I just connect my USB HDD and copy certain folders periodically.
Dave,
Same here with RRT, I got it right after v5 came out, 2011-2012 or so when I got back into the hobby. Way before SCARM anyway. I'll carry on with RRT since I already have the latest version and a ton of libraries. Even have some HO stuff for my grandson. I added them here and there, a little at a time, after getting the main RRT program. I am going to try the 3D in SCARM though, I have it on my PC, just never have done much more than view track plans posted here.
I actually do miss MS-DOS sometimes, things were a lot more fun back then and it didn't try to commandeer your PC like Windows does at times. Or maybe I was just a LOT younger and wanting to learn? Now I mostly like doing what I already know how to do, that is if I can still remember how to do the it... 
Missed a part, maybe I will have something for you to fix with my expansion one of these days.
Berkshire President posted:Oman posted:What Tony says sounds vaguely familiar. I don' t think 4.x will install on a Windows 8 machine and maybe not even Windows 7.
What's weird is that if 4.02 won't install on my Windows 8.1, I'm never going to be able to get the free upgrade.....if I understand things correctly.
I've very familiar with RRT so I'll probably just ride it out. My next layout revision has already been designed in RRT.
I checked the version 4.02 disk I still have and it appears the latest windows versions it is compatible with are Windows 2000 and Windows XP. However my version 5 disc says windows 7 - no mention of 8 or 10, but RR Track website says different and I am running version 5.2 on windows 7 and 10 with no issues.
If you do find that you can not save changes to an RR file on windows 10 just make sure the file folder you have RR Track in has WRITE permission turned on.
Joe
I agree with Joe's implication that it's worth a try to see if it will install on Windows 10. I do remember back when Windows 8 came out there were a lot of Windows 7 PCs sold with a free update to Windows 8 and maybe that's where some of the confusion with a free RRT v5 update comes from.
RTR12, depending on the version you have, you may need to install the latest update to SCARM in order to use the simulation.
I 'checked for updates' a little while ago and my SCARM version is now updated. Haven't yet played with it though, maybe later today.
DoubleDAZ posted:I agree with Joe's implication that it's worth a try to see if it will install on Windows 10.
More than once I have tried to install software that didn't list the operating system I was using and the result is a failed install that you can see, but cannot remove. I don't know if this causes any problems, but I have enough computer problems that I avoid doing this.
I have similar issues using windows 10 my RR Track 4 crapped out and will not work with windows 10. I have a bunch of older rr track files on 4.02 will the new RR Track 5 open the older RR track 4 files?
George, AFAIK they do, but if you want to be sure, post one and I'll check it.
I think Dave is correct here.
I believe RRT v5 will open v4 files, but v4 will not open v5 files. I will have to check, but I think I have a library or two of track plans that is in v4 format and they work just fine.
I just looked and I can't find the v4 files? My C: drive is messier than my workbench...but I am pretty sure Dave is correct.
DoubleDAZ posted:George, AFAIK they do, but if you want to be sure, post one and I'll check it.
Hi Dave,
I will look for a rrt4 file when I get home. It sounds like my old rrt4 files will work with rrt5.
Thanks,
RRTrack 5 will open any RRTrack 4 file and save it as an RRTrack 5 file. RRTrack 4 libraries may be another story but I am 99% sure if you have the older libraries upgrading is free. So to be safe if you install RR5 don't erase RR4 until your libraries are set.
Model Structures posted:RRTrack 5 will open any RRTrack 4 file and save it as an RRTrack 5 file. RRTrack 4 libraries may be another story but I am 99% sure if you have the older libraries upgrading is free. So to be safe if you install RR5 don't erase RR4 until your libraries are set.
Ok, but I can not even open my RRT4 program on my windows 10 computer so I dont know if installing rrt5 will save them? I guess-One way to find out.
I might call the company, they are very, very slow at returning phone calls .
Seacoast posted:I might call the company, they are very, very slow at returning phone calls .
If you happen to have their phone number, please feel free to share it.
Years ago, I demonstrated RR-Track for Russ at the DuPage shows; I sold a lot of copies for him.
I found Russ to be very responsive and knowledgeable about his product and computer operating systems.
It too bad there is not a way to integrate LCS with RR-track because with RR-Track you already have your layout specified. So why do it again piecemeal in LCS?
Berkshire President posted:Seacoast posted:I might call the company, they are very, very slow at returning phone calls .If you happen to have their phone number, please feel free to share it.
Yah, l looked and no phone contact I thought there used to be a phone #
Seacoast posted:Ok, but I can not even open my RRT4 program on my windows 10 computer so I dont know if installing rrt5 will save them? I guess-One way to find out.
I might call the company, they are very, very slow at returning phone calls .
I didn't lose any RRT4 designs when I installed RRT5. My design files are in the "C:\Documents\My RR-Track layouts" folder and the program installs to a folder like "C:\Program Files\RR-Track v5". I did take the precaution to copy them to another backup folder just in case.
FWIW: Version 4.02 does indeed work with Windows XP.........
DoubleDAZ posted:Seacoast posted:Ok, but I can not even open my RRT4 program on my windows 10 computer so I dont know if installing rrt5 will save them? I guess-One way to find out.
I might call the company, they are very, very slow at returning phone calls .
I didn't lose any RRT4 designs when I installed RRT5. My design files are in the "C:\Documents\My RR-Track layouts" folder and the program installs to a folder like "C:\Program Files\RR-Track v5". I did take the precaution to copy them to another backup folder just in case.
Dave is right - I forgot about this. What Dave did I did too. I had my design files in two separate folders, one for business and one personal. I simply copied the files from my windows 7 machine and installed on my windows 10 machine.
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