Sorry Sam, I can't answer your questions.  But I feel your pain:   We had to learn Windows 8 when we got a new PC.  I see absolutely no advantage to it, or improvement over the old.  It took us months to catch on to it.  Best of luck!

DON'T DO IT!!!

Is Windows XP still working OK? Then LEAVE IT ALONE! Just because Microsoft has ceased "support" for XP doesn't mean you have to dump it. I will continue to use XP for a LONG time yet.

If you absolutely MUST upgrade, go to Windows 7. Windows 8 is a total disaster on a PC.

The publicity I've seen about the cutoff of support for XP suggests that XP may become more vulnerable to viruses and hackers etc. Which sorta sounds like blackmail to pressure you to "upgrade".

 

I avoided buying a new computer for a couple years because I absolutely hated "Vista", which has been widely criticized as a not-so-great system. Windows 7 is OK and I don't want any more "upgrades" for the foreseeable future. XP was good; I used it for years.

 

I wish MS would realize that "newer" is not always better. Windows has loads of features that most people don't use. Change for the sake of change is not an improvement. I've gotten burned out on computers and internet to the point where I just don't use them as much anymore, which gives me more time for better things like model railroading projects.

I've been using Windows 8 on two computers for over a year, no problem just install Classic Shell.  It's free, and you can set it up to go straight to the desk top.  The old control panel is still there along with everything else.  I don't use the "Metro" tiles, too slow to load.  The DCS loader should work fine, just need a USB to serial converter.

My desktop has a SSD drive for the operating system and programs - FAST!!!!  Will not go back to antique computers.

Dan

I had a spare drive so now have two windows XP hard drives both with all the lastest updates from microsoft.
I have windows 7 past 6 months crashing finally had Microsoft do there thing seems solid now.
We old XP users are becoming dinosaurs but frankly I liked XP it just worked period.
$oo

For those who want to stay on Windows XP, rest assured that many anti-virus programs will continue to work and be supported.

I recently read that AVAST! has committed to at least two more years of support, and has a free version available.
(I haven't tried AVAST!.)

I am not a fan of Windows 8 either. My issue is its incompatibility with older programs.

I'm an IT guy I own my own IT company. I don't have employee's I do the work myself. but some of my clients went to 8 about a year ago so I was forced in upgrading also just so that I knew the system. is 8 different Yes is it as nice as xp I don't think so. xp was probably Microsoft's most stable Operating system. 7 isn't to bad. and * at first I hated it. I have gotton use to it now. but a older man I spoke with yesterday said it this way. if you have to get use to it it isn't better. he's right my quickbooks won't print on 8 with out a fix. did the fix got it working then 8.1 came out and the fix no longer works. but I have to admit it has been pretty stable. other than IE issues with compatability mode. as for XP Microsoft security Essentials will still get updates(definitions and such) but no software updates. and no more XP security updates. I have a client still using win2000 Terminal server. there hasn't been support for it in a long time. it just means your on your own to get things to work.

it's latest version of IE is 6 nothing else loads

so I see that happening to XP also.

 

In anticipation of the dropping of XP support, last year I upgraded 6 of the computers in our house (yes, we have a lot of PC's and it is only my wife and me....I'm a retired IT guy) to Windows 7.  There was some initial pain, but all the PC's are humming along fine.

 

In December, I bought a couple of new Dell laptops (our old ones were ancient and couldn't be upgraded very much) with Windows 8.  I immediately upgraded them to Windows 8.1 and configured them to look and act like Windows 7.  There are just a couple of minor differences as far as how to click certain menus.  I just refuse to use that dorky Windows Metro interface.

 

It has become very hard to find any new PC's loaded with Windows 7, but you can find copies of OEM Windows 7 on Amazon or New Egg. 

Micro-Center has a good selection running Windows 7.

 

Rusty

For me personally, Windows 7 is the ideal standard PC operating system. Simple, clean, classic, and most importantly way faster than XP. Windows 8 is weird to use on a standard PC, but I admittedly have a blast using it on touch screen computers. That's a big factor in the Windows 8 teething troubles, they designed it with touch screens in mind and seemed to forget about the traditional PC mechanics.

I installed Classic Shell on my wife's laptop last year as well.

 

Here's a link that claims to make Win8 look like Win7:

 

http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how...look-like-windows-7/

 

My computer guru buddy sent it to me but I haven't tried it yet.

The hype and panic aside, if your system is stand-alone and not going onto the Internet, you don't have much to worry about if you continue using Windows XP. The security concern is the potential of future vulnerabilities being found and exploited without future security patches coming out to combat them.

 

Classic Shell is a good add-on for Windows 8. I've had to deal with Windows 8 on a few new systems for friends and don't care for it in a basic laptop installation. Touch-screen is OK, but that's a different environment. I'm going with Windows 7 Ultimate on my next PC, even though that means I'll have to wipe it and do the install myself.

 

Hopefully the new DCS loader program will be compatible with Windows 8 and/or have the right drivers.

 

First, I highly discourage you from running a 13 year old OS that will no longer receive security patches in the future.  Second, Microsoft just released Update 1 for Windows 8.1 that really...I mean really makes the Mouse and keyboard users happy.  Windows 8 is and always will be a touch OS for devices.  Microsoft made a bad move by forcing that onto desktop users.  However, with Update 1....it really is the best of Windows 8 and Windows 7.  I have been using Windows 8 from the start and Windows 8.1 Update 1 is by far the BEST version of Windows ever made.  Rock solid stable, a real desktop, and now you can use the Metro apps on said desktop. Very cool.

 

BINGO!  Try Update 1 that was released yesterday.  Will make the PC crowd very happy.

I'm sticking with 7 unless I need to go to 8... computer software in general can be such a headache...

Looking at the loader apps, you'll need to install the 64-bit version for windows 8.1, unless you specifically installed or purchased a 32-bit version(uncommon). You should be able to use the version with .net. Check with some DCS users with Win 8.1

 

What say ye, ChessieMD?

 

Edit: Yep, that's it. Here's the installation instruction. 64-bit on pages 2 & 3.

 

Well...I would be shocked if he was using a 64 bit version of Windows XP.  Remember Win XP was released back in 2001 and 64 bit hardware was not very mainstream.  Microsoft actually had a version of WinXP 64 bit for a specific CPU chip (Itanium).  HP used to sell these systems as "workstations"...read - mainly for business - and they stopped manufacturing them in 2005.  It wasn't until Windows Vista (2006) where 64 bit finally took off once the manufacturers started making stable 64 bit drivers and motherboard manufacturers started supporting large memory footprints. I suspect he is running 32 bit WinXP, thus he would have to use the 32 bit version of the DCS loader on WinXP.  

 

Now..upgrading.  If his CPU is 64 bit capable..then upgrading to 64 bit Win 8 is possible.  If his CPU is based on 32 bit architecture then the discussion ends pretty quick.  Also, if his system only let's say has and supports max 4gb of RAM then going to 64 bit is really pointless.  The big advantage of 64 bit is that it allows memory addressing above 4GB.  Systems now ship with an average of 8GB RAM.  I'm typing this on a system packed with 16GB of RAM.

 

If the system is 64 bit capable then he will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 64 bit.  Good news...there is an upgrade path from WinXP 32 bit to Win 8 64 bit.  However, he will need to do it via the upgrade DVD and NOT via the Microsoft upgrade Wizard, which can be purchased online.  Using the online upgrade wizard will "force" the install to match the architecture of the system, in this case potentially 32 bit.  If you go into any retail location and purchase the upgrade Win 8 DVD...it will have two discs a 32 bit version and a 64 bit version...simply install the upgrade with the 64 bit version.  Make sure you back up all your files...it will overwrite everything.

 

Finally, once up and running on 64 bit Win 8, upgrade to Win 8.1 and install the 64-bit .Net version of the DCS loader.  .Net 4.5 is already included with Windows 8...so getting .Net apps up and running is quite easy.

 

Sorry for the long reply...but there are many considerations when upgrading from 32 bit to 64 bit....let alone to an entirely new OS.  Seems hard...but there are people on the forum, who can help you out.

If XP is so good, why did MS do something EMD did?  Make a -2 version!  If people are happy with a platform, then go ahead ansd stay with it until a computer version of the 70 series comes out.

 

Actually, you might be surprised how many people in businesses still use computer programes based on DOS!  Graphics anchient, but they still work!

DOS, Oh my. Up until seven years ago, we ran a payroll program called Dac-easy (spelling ?) that was anything but what the name implies. Talk about an ancient TURD!

These, DOS, and XP work, but are they constantly hacked?  I took one look at Windows 8, as did a friend of mine, and we both bought Windows 7's to avoid 8.

I hope they don't screw that up.

I have a good XP I will no longer use due to the hacking horrors they are preaching.

I just want to use the bloody things, NOT become a computer geek to keep them

operating! 

**************

 

Chessie,

How do I determine 32 or 64 machine?  Assume its in control panel or some menu.

Google is your friend.  Typed 32 or 64 bit and got a Microsoft how-to answer. Found out my PC is 32 bit.

Sam,

 

Great job!  So now you just need the Win 8.1 Upgrade DVDs and install the 64 bit version.  I see Office Depot has the Win 8.1 upgrade version for $120, which is pretty reasonable.  Good luck!

Mainstream support for Windows 7 ends in 2015.  I think that is right around the corner.    Rumors suggest one more update for Win 8.1 and then next Spring MS will release Win9. MS has really changed in the last year finally listening to customers....especially PC users.  

SOOOOO very glad I switched to Mac's years ago... and have never looked back! 

 

Well to be completely truthful... I'll admit  that I do run Parallels on a Mac-Mini for two reasons:  RR-Track (for layout planning/design) and our home-theatre is controlled by software that runs in a Windows 7 environment.  My iPad communicates with the server/software to gain a complete view of our movie inventory and controls two Sony 400-disc blu-ray/DVD changers to queue up and play the movie selected on the iPad. 

 

Aside from those two applications, I don't miss Windows one iota!!!    Feel sorry for you folks that are forced to use Windows due to employer standards, etc...    But I feel your pain.

 

David

My Gateway came with Windows 8 but downloaded the 8.1 upgrade from MS, at

no cost. Download and install took only 16 hours.

MTH loader worked OK with 8.1 and upgraded to 4.3 with no problems.

There is a driver for USB from MTH that I installed and upgraded an L ver using

power from the USB port.

 

 

I have purchased my last PC. When this one is toast, it will be Mac from then on.

How is Apple any better?  My son purchased a brand new Ipod Touch 4th Gen...came out less than two years ago.  Once IOS 7 was released Apple simply stated sorry..no upgrade for that GEN Ipod Touch.  They did the same thing when they left PPC version of iMacs behind shortly after OSX was released.  Apple is notorious for obsolescing one's hardware.  At least Windows supports installs on all sorts of hardware young and old.   Since they run over 1.5 billion PCs worldwide..they have no choice but to support what is out there, hence the reason employers use Windows because MS makes a concerted effort to support legacy hardware unlike Apple (see above).

 

Frankly, I don't understand all the heartache against Windows/Microsoft.  People have no issue using and learning iPads, iPods, Andoid phones running Gingerbread, Ice Cream sandwich, or whatever the next dessert, but lord forbid you take their Start button away...they stomp their feet like kids.

 

 

Good point.  Win 8.1 has the side-by-side app capability, unlike anything Apple or Android has put out.  I did see Samsung is now touting their "multitasking" capability...as they are quickly forking out from Android to build a tablet that can be used to get stuff done.  On my 27 inch monitor I have three apps side by side running without issue.  Do the same thing on my Surface.  

 think the problem that people have with Windows 8 is the new start screen really isn't geared to the desktop/laptop enviroment. Version 8.1 lets you get back to desktop mode.

Absolutely agreed.  It's a shame that despite attempts by MS to bring back true desktop functionality people have already dismissed the OS.  

An Ipad is too small for me. My brother has one and he seems to like it, but to me it's a fancy etch-a-sketch. I agree that their pricing is repelling.

Excellent replies ChessieMD. By my way of thinking, dead on accurate.

 

Gerry

rrman,

Focus Grasshopper, focus...

So after all of this, the answer to your original question is that you can find the appropriate version of DCS loader for whichever Windows operating system you choose to use.

I have been using AVAST free version for over 5 years now and never had a

virus issue or any other problems. Great product. See no reason to jump off XP for my home PCs at this time.