need some info about changing from XP to vista on compuware!!

Jingles,
The set up looks good, the only thing I would recommend is that if you plan on using the computer for applications other than lighting, bump up the ram to at least 1 gig. You system resources can get clogged quickly with internet usage, office applications and so forth.

The video card listed should handle the 3D visualizer well.

As far as Vista goes, we have not had the opportunity to test system compatibility first hand yet, but in theory, the hardware should work fine with any 32-bit version of windows vista.

It will not work at the moment (we are working on this) with any 64-bit version of vista. The drivers for the interfaces are not signed by Microsoft, and this is a new requirement that they are implementing this time around. I would check which version you are getting, and that should tell you whether or not it should work right away.

hey mike this is what all im getting.
Inspiron 1501 AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-50

OPERATING SYSTEM(s) FREE Upgrade to Genuine Vista Windows Home Premium with 1GB of memory

LCD panel 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™

MEMORY 512MB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHZ, 1 DIMM
VIDEO CARD ATI RADEON® Xpress1150 256MB HyperMemory™ (Integrated)

HARD DRIVES 60GB Hard Drive

Network Card and Modem Integrated 10/100

Network Card and Modem

Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.08

Combo/DVD+RW Drives 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive

Sound Card Integrated Audio

Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card (54Mbps)

Office Software No productivity suite- Includes Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD

Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) No Security Subscription

Primary Battery 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Warranty and Service 1Yr Ltd Warranty and At-Home Service

Internet Access Service 6 Months America Online Internet Access Included

Miscellaneous Inspiron E1501

Dell Digital Entertainment Trial pack- Basic and trial products from Corel and Yahoo

Labels Windows Vista™ Basic

but what i ma getting processor wise is duo core 64 bit processor. so 64X2. will i have problems running it with the 2 x 64 bit? also can u tell me if my 3D viewer graphics will look exactly like how urs did on the you tube vids?? that is what i am aiming for a lot on this purchase. also i would not be able to buy the actual compu live software for a lil bit after i buy the computer. but i will however be running the latest free demo version that is downloadable from the elation site. will i have probs running that?? thanks mike! peace! jingles out! p.s.i only plan on ripping my music and surfing the net and using compu live with this computer. other than that should not be too cluttered with programs!

mike i talked to dell. and i want ot know from u do u mean a 32 processor or is there a 32 bit version of windows vista?? cause i will be getting a 64 duo core processor! BTW i will be getting the windows vista home premium. but they are trying to talk me into the vista business!!( more money)

First off, yes your video card should handle the visualizer better than you see it in the videos.

Secondly, I was referring to your version of Vista, not your processor. On the Vista DVD, you are supplied the 32 bit and 64 bit versions, you get to choose which one to install (since you have a 64 bit processor). I'm not sure which version they would preload on your computer, you should check with Dell on that point. Here is a third party explanation of the issue, point number 2 is the problem I was referring to earlier:

Taken From http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1426/vista_64_bit_or_32_bit_version_x64_vs_x86

Deciding which Vista version to install can be a difficult decision and can really limit what you can do with your system. Here are practical hints which should help a user decide which version to install. I decided to write this guide after installing 64-bit and 32-bit vista systems on several test boxes.

With the gaining popularity of 64-bit chipsets/processors, many users now have the ability to run either 64-bit versions (x64) or 32-bit versions (x86) of software and operating systems. However, if you only have a 32-bit processor, your choice is easy...

You can only install the x64 version of Vista if you have a 64-bit processor.

For those with 64-bit processors, it seems obvious that installing the x64 version of vista would be ideal. The x64 version has increased security based around the 64-bit structure and programs compiled for 64-bit processors will likely run faster.


What's the problem with installing Vista x64 on a 64-bit system?

1. Most hardware does not currently have 64-bit drivers.

Out of all the boxes that I have installed x64 Vista on, I could always get it to boot up. However, the lack of 64-bit drivers for many hardware devices typically left me without any chance of burning DVDs or listening to audio. Networking devices and card readers were frequently not supported as well. Vista x64 is pretty but it's not very fun without network access or audio.

2. In Vista x64, any driver that is not properly signed will not be able to enter the kernel and will fail to load.

Think how many times you have ignored that warning that a certain hardware driver is not properly signed. With vista x64, if your driver has not be blessed by Microsoft, it will not work. Forget about it.

I have tired to get around this by booting with the F8 option Disable Driver Signature. It doesn't make a difference.

3. Vista x64 currently does not backward support most x86 (32-bit) drivers.

For the most part 64-bit systems run 32-bit applications very well. However, vista x64 doesn't run x86 drivers... at least at this stage.

4. Vista x64 does not support 16-bit software.

You may think that you never, ever run 16-bit software. However, XP actually handles this legacy fairly well.

5. Very little x64 software currently exists.

x64 software runs better on a x64 system with an x64 OS. Currently, however, there is very little x64 software out there. If you have that magical combination, you do get a nice performance boost. Currently, however, this combination is way to far ahead of the curve.


Conclusion:

Most users with 64-bit hardware should install the 32-bit (x86) version of Vista.

Vista x64 is the turning point for operating systems as they transition to 64-bit. Currently, however, the majority of users will be very disappointed by installing Vista x64. The lack of 64-bit drivers for most current hardware will be very disappointing and frustrating to most users. Why push for 64-bit now anyway? The performance gains promised by 64-bit will not be seen for years until 64-bit compiled versions of software is the norm.

so ur saying if i get the 64 bit version i will be screwed out of using compuware for years?? but if i get the 32 bit version it should work fine??? and can't you guys get microsoft to "bless" ur drivers??

We are working on it, but it is not just our drivers. There are thousands of manufacturers hardware that have to make this adjustment. Microsoft requires you to pay for the license, and almost half of all drivers are not currently signed by them. It is something we intend to fix, and are in the process of doing so, but for the immediate, it is not compatible.

but if i download the 32 bit version it will work fine but there will be stuff i won't be able to do on my comp? sorry about all the questions but you have been the most helpful so far. more helpful then DELL! all they told me was it doesn't matter what processor i have vista will work.

your computer will work fine with every other program, as 32 bit is exactly how all windows xp programs are built now. If say down the road you have a 64 bit program (there are very few available now) you can reinstall Vista to the 64 bit, so that you can use it, and by that time we should have 64 bit drivers for Compu Live.

last question! so what if i get the 64 bit anyways will i be getting a computer that is pretty much unusable for like 6 months to a year??

Remember, you should get both versions on one disc (again Dell should really help you with this), so you can install either/or.

All your 32bit programs will work under 64, so anything you can use on xp you can use if you install the 64 bit vista. Where you will run into problems is when you want to use new hardware, like an audio interface, new video card, or usb to dmx interface. You have to be sure that the hardware you are using has a 64 bit driver.

so my only problem is tryin to run NEW hardware with slower drivers if i get the new laptop. ok cool. thanks for putting my mind at ease. im talking to dell now to see if i can install it myself! thanks mike! you are very helpful! peace! jingles out (for now LOL) p.s. remembered 1 more. will i be able to run the demo of compulive with no prob.?? that way i can have all my stuff programmed in the demo before i even buy it! LOL

yes your computer should be more then enough power for you to breeze though programming on the demo!

Thanks for the questions, as these may help many of our users that are about to switch over to vista (myself included).

thank you for having answers!!! see people i told you elation rocks!!!

i found out from dell that it is pre installed 64 bit version. cause i wil have a 64 bit X2 core processor! looking forward to those graphics on compu. and believe i will put up some screen shots!

Hey guys, I just confirmed that operation with Vista will be just fine.
The biggest issue is on the drivers of which the 64-bit versions may have an issue.
Apearantly the 64-bit version PC's are over the $2500.00 price range which not many people are using.
The good news is the driver for this version will be availabe very soon.

so if my comp. is les than 2,500 the dongle should work just fine?

It should work fine. Get the best you can get.
We will conform to work for you.

Best regards,

mine is like 900 and i am online ordring it now. i will post the details soon!

actually i got an HP pavilion dv 2000 that just came out on the 30th of jan. it has a 120 Gb hrdrive and a up to 278 MB ge g-force graphics card and a dvd burner and a wifi card and a built in web cam and also the amd turion 64 X2 processor with windows vista home premium. and the graphics on compuware are SWEET!!!! i love this thing paid 896 with a 1 year acidental damage coverage with best buy!! only prob.is i can't sem to take screen shots on compu. i take em an dthen save em and hen i got to look a them and it i blank. weird!!

That does sound sweet! We'll be getting a Vista system soon, so I'll let you know whats up.
Have you figured out how to adjust the resolution of the 3D visualizer?
Try to take the shot on all the settings.

john can't get a pic to show i tried all res. and rendering mode. i think it is windows right now will not recognize bitmap format. i will keep trying. let me know if u make any head way.

ok

I have Compu live 2006 running great on my Amd Turion 64 x2 laptop. If you are going to run the program on the 64 x2 platform with vista home premium edition you really need to have at least 1gb. of memory. I have 1.5gb memory in mine I am controlling 14 lights at one time 10 omega 250c color changers and 4 American Djspot 250. They all run great onn my vista laptop with Home Premium. I hope this information will be helpfull.

thanks joe but can u take screen shots of it and view them as u took them?? if u can let me know i still cannot view any bitmap files hich were aken by compuware but yet somehow my web cam on my laptop takes pics in bitmap form. if u can share any info it is apreaciated!! thanks! jingles!