California Surveyors Forums

Last night I was with my computer guy who was going to install an Intel 7 MB and Intel 7 Quad CPU..a real monster and flamethrower according to him.

We attempted to load up Win XP and it just failed, the XP install CD just did not have the correct drivers to do this. XP would do it's normal driver load, but then when it got to the part where the XP install splash screen usually appears, the Blue Screen of Death pops up with an error message and we got stuck. There is supposed to be a work around using what is called 'slip streaming' which, from my understanding, is taking a Win XP OEM CD, burning a new one that has other newer drivers included that are downloaded from web sources that work with the I7 MB and installing XP that way. That also failed.

Now, Win 7 Pro would load up with no problem what so ever, but we aborted that install and this is the reason why.

I have been using TDS Survey Pro and a HP 48 as a DC for a long time. It's paid for, it works great and I really do not see a need to get another DC.

The data transfer and conversion, from the DC to my system, is governed by two things. One is a security dongle that attachés to the parallel port, the second item is the software that allows the dongle to be recognized by XP and allows the data conversion/transfer software to run in a non demo mode. Rainbow technologies makes the dongle and software that allows Survey Link 7.5.5, Jan 30, 2003 build, to perform it's tasks.

I would really like to move to Win 7, but my main concern is that the dongle and or the security software will not work with Win 7. This is the only thing stopping me from loading up Win 7 and putting XP on the shelf.

I understand that with Win 7 Pro there is a Win XP VM available that will allow certain 32 bit programs to work, but that still leaves me with a question...what about the security dongle?

Hopefully someone has had to cross this bridge before and made it successfully. If anyone can help, I would be very grateful.

All the other programs I use are a non issue with Win 7 Pro..it's just this one item.

It may cause issues. I would recommend installing the Windows 7 install, then creating a new partition and dual-booting into Windows XP. You'll be custom installing onto the new partition, but with the existing install on your drive it should allow you to get past the driver screen to where you can modify your install file path.

The nice thing there is that if you want to take full advantage of your multiple cores and (likely) greater than 3.4GBs of RAM, you can boot the Win 7 64 OS and get the benefits of your purchase.

Of course, it also lets you test to see if your dongle will work in 7; might solve the problem without the extra steps.

keep one computer to download and convert to/from and then the new computer with windows 7 to do all the work with?


we've ran into those dongle issues in the past with another program. basically said.... 'well, sorry, but you're gonna have to buy our upgrade for the new dongle.'

most new computers don't even have a parallel port on them any more.

does TDS even have upgrades for their software you could buy if you wanted to?

T. S. Higgins wrote:It may cause issues. I would recommend installing the Windows 7 install, then creating a new partition and dual-booting into Windows XP. .

Definately an option we are considering..

Of course, it also lets you test to see if your dongle will work in 7; might solve the problem without the extra steps.

I really do wish that I could find someone that had Win 7 / parallel port that I could test this on. If we do the 7 install and the dongle fails then I am pretty much toast.

I appreciate your input..Thank you

shaunb wrote:keep one computer to download and convert to/from and then the new computer with windows 7 to do all the work with?

I may do that. I would much rather get XP installed on the I7 MB and save the extra money, but a second system with Win 7 on it is a possibility. My computer guy is giving me an excellent price for the upgrades.

does TDS even have upgrades for their software you could buy if you wanted to?

Unfortunately No. TDS was picked up by some other company years back and now Spectra has what was TDS. There is no support for what is being called 'antiquated' by the holders of the TDS license.

Thanks for your input

I can send you a link to a driver that works for the rainbow security dongle. I have done it and it work on Win7 64. I'll send you a link tomorrow (if I remember!)

TDS was picked up by some other company years back and now Spectra has what was TDS.

The "some other company" is Trimble, which bought TDS in 2000. They're now marketing it under the Spectra marque. Trimble is the Autodesk of positioning hardware, so legacy product support is something they actively avoid.

.

Edward Reading wrote:I can send you a link to a driver that works for the rainbow security dongle. I have done it and it work on Win7 64. I'll send you a link tomorrow (if I remember!)

Though the dongle is a non issue now, I would like to see that link.

Thank you

I'm running Win7 x64 w/ a parallel port dongle for TDS Survey Link fine.

I can get the software running w/o the hardware dongle, but it is a pain in the a$$ -- the easiest way around it is a spare computer or an older laptop w/ a parallel port and XP.

Has anyone tried this with an adapter similar to one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6815166031

This is a way to add a parallel port to a current generation motherboard. Drivers should be available for the latest operating systems, but will it get up and running with the security dongle?

Following with interest as we have a couple of XP machines that are being kept on life support soley for the purpose of accessing/downloading older survey equipment.