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A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

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    A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

    My Win XP development machine died (MB & BIOS, not hard rives). One fix is to buy a new box, and I am okay with that. All I can find locally are Windows 8 machines. I could special order a Win 7 box but that might take a week or so to get. I do not have A5V11 and don't want it (don't ask). I do have A5V10.5.

    So, on a borrowed Win 8 box I loaded both the A5v10.5 full and runtime versions (runtime in Program Files, full in C:\Alpha Five). Running them via the desktop shortcut under Win 7 compatibility mode and with admin privileges and testing with a fairly complex app, I so far have not seen any problems. What if anything am I missing? What is not likely to work correctly? Yes, I have searched the forum but need feedback specifically for v10.5, though feedback on any issues with any A5 version might give me more things to test. I do not have a printer hooked to my Win 8 test box, but print previews seen to work.

    Thanks

    Raymond Lyons
    Last edited by Raymond Lyons; 03-10-2013, 02:58 PM.


    #2
    Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

    Whoa, does the lack of response here mean no one has any experience running V10 or V10.5 on Windows 8? Or is it that everything works perfectly? On a borrowed machine I can't do a whole lot of testing and have to decide on Win 7 or 8 soon.

    Raymond Lyons

    Comment


      #3
      Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

      Ray
      There was a lot of discussion on this topic back in November. Here is a link to one of the threads. Search Windows 8 you will find others. I tried to find a solution but in the end I purchased a v11 license.

      http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...ues-with-v10-5
      Regards,

      John W.
      www.CustomReportWriters.net

      Comment


        #4
        Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

        Originally posted by jkwrpc View Post
        Ray
        There was a lot of discussion on this topic back in November. Here is a link to one of the threads. Search Windows 8 you will find others. I tried to find a solution but in the end I purchased a v11 license.

        http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...ues-with-v10-5
        Thanks John. That all helps but also raises questions based on my testing experience with a brand new (March 2013) Win 8 64 machine. But my test app does not use grid components--that may make a difference.

        Anyway, as I said, both the developer and the runtime installed with no issues at all. Then when run in compatibility Win7 mode and admin rights (which can be set on the A5 exe, not just on a shortcut), I have been unable to find anything that does not work as expected, including xbasic coding, new reports, mods to forms, Xdialogs, etc. (but of course I have not tested everything under the sun). The only hiccup so far is that when starting the runtime I get a User Account Control (UAC) message--that I do not get when starting the full version. This is easy to get by and even turn off, and I suspect I get it with the runtime only because it was loaded into C:\Program Files whereas I installed the full version in C:\Alpha Five. Not having an Internet connection may also play a role in this, I don't know.

        So my tentative conclusion is that for my purposes I can use A5V10.5 on Win 8 to continue developing 10.5 apps just as I did under Win XP. Of course if I wanted to have them run on an unkown client's Win 8, I'd probably be wise to get v11--but none of my clients are likely to get a Win 8 machine before V12 comes out, so I see no reason (for me at least) to spend money on V11.

        BTW, my experience with Win 8, albeit very brief so far, makes me wonder if a newer Win 8 build may have resolved some problems that existed even last November. The Win 7 compatibility mode in Win 8 is simple and seems to do the trick.

        Also, even though most of my experience recently has been with XP, I do not have a big problem with my Win 8 experience. One click and I am on the "Start" screen win 7 type desktop. Other system screens are hard to find and will take some getting used to but they seem to still be there, pretty much as they were in Win 7. Could be an illusion but Win 8 also seems much faster than my Win 7 machine (which I can't use for development without my wife killing me).

        Raymond Lyons

        Comment


          #5
          Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

          Raymond

          I am glad this is working out for you. However, the issue I experienced was shared by some others. Alpha later stated that v10.5 was not compatible with Windows 8. For those reasons I would recommend you keep a close watch on your applications for awhile.

          I really don't have an answer as to why your experience is different from the one we were having.
          Regards,

          John W.
          www.CustomReportWriters.net

          Comment


            #6
            Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

            Originally posted by jkwrpc View Post
            Raymond

            I am glad this is working out for you. However, the issue I experienced was shared by some others. Alpha later stated that v10.5 was not compatible with Windows 8. For those reasons I would recommend you keep a close watch on your applications for awhile.

            I really don't have an answer as to why your experience is different from the one we were having.
            John,

            Five things: (1) V10.5 is definitely NOT compatible with Win 8. (2) But running in Win 8 under Win 7 compatibility mode with admin rights seems to be a different story. (3) I suspect me not using any grid components may account for the different experience I seem to be having. (4) Possibly MS has refined compatibility mode somewhat since November. (5) I did not install the full version in Program Files.

            And a 6th thing: I am worried a bit about going with Win 8 instead of ordering a Win 7 box (which can still be had, just not locally near me), but figure I may need to do it soon enough anyway, plus I'll probably be going to V12 when it comes out, at which point I will make my v10.5 apps works under Win 8 and V12, and until then if 10.5 development works for me on Win 8 in compatibility mode, it's probably better to make this move to Win 8 now since my development machine is dead and not worth trying to fix (new motherboard, CPU, PS, old IDE drives to move files from, load XP and all programs, etc.).

            Ok, a 7th thing: It is beyond me why any business would want the new Win 8 GUI--I certainly can't see me having any use for all the crap. May be fine for tablets and non-business use--beats me and for now I don't care. On the other hand, the OS seems to be much faster and most of the Win 7 system stuff seems to still be there, though a bit hard to find. DBF ODBC is one thing I have not yet checked into, but that was a problem for Win 7 too, so maybe the same solutions will work.

            Thanks again for the feedback. Assuming I go down this road, if I run into serious problems I'll report back.

            Raymond Lyons

            Comment


              #7
              Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

              Raymond

              If you go down the Win 8 path here is a link to a download that gives the traditional desktop.

              http://www.classicshell.net/

              I have been using it because like you the normal Win 8 startup window is just...well just not something one can love. There are many similar products out there and people do recommend them. I guess I don't know many developers who have kept using the new Window 8 desktop, though I suppose there are some.

              There are good things about Win 8 such as the faster startup time, the tight integration with SkyDrive, if you use it, and so on. For me the real issue is the new desktop and Classic Shell fixed that problem.

              Finally the reason I went to v11, is so any apps I build will not have conflicts with Win 8. I cannot control what OS a customer may have, so this was in the end the most sensible fix.
              Regards,

              John W.
              www.CustomReportWriters.net

              Comment


                #8
                Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

                Originally posted by jkwrpc View Post
                Raymond

                If you go down the Win 8 path here is a link to a download that gives the traditional desktop.

                http://www.classicshell.net/

                I have been using it because like you the normal Win 8 startup window is just...well just not something one can love. There are many similar products out there and people do recommend them. I guess I don't know many developers who have kept using the new Window 8 desktop, though I suppose there are some.

                There are good things about Win 8 such as the faster startup time, the tight integration with SkyDrive, if you use it, and so on. For me the real issue is the new desktop and Classic Shell fixed that problem.

                Finally the reason I went to v11, is so any apps I build will not have conflicts with Win 8. I cannot control what OS a customer may have, so this was in the end the most sensible fix.
                Thanks again John. In order to get what I hope is a better machine (PS, motherboard, etc.) than the cheap Dell, HP and assorted other crap out there, I decided to order an ASUS box that I assume at least has a decent ASUS motherboard and I hope a decent power supply. For decades I have built my own machines but for whatever reasons that is no longer reasonable from a cost standpoint. So I hope the ASUS box I ordered is decent. When I get it I'll probably go with Classicshell.

                Ray

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

                  Raymond,

                  I have to agree with John's reasoning to use v11. I had multiple problems with win 8 and v10.5 and knew I could overcome them on MY machine. Was not wishing to have to put that on a user or go to so many issues programmatically to fix it.

                  Currently(as time permits), I am trying to perfect my own install packages so my apps can be ms certified for win8. win8 is not going away! In fact, I think their next version will be pushed even further. People WILL buy win8 and the next one. I need to be there too.

                  I use the win7 type desktop most of the time and a side app that gives me a start button. When I start the computer, it skips the win8 pictures at the first step.
                  Dave Mason
                  [email protected]
                  Skype is dave.mason46

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

                    Test the Amyuni printer drivers (report to PDF). I am assuming that the version that shipped with v10.5 will not work in Windows 8.
                    Andrew

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

                      Originally posted by aschone View Post
                      Test the Amyuni printer drivers (report to PDF). I am assuming that the version that shipped with v10.5 will not work in Windows 8.
                      Andrew,

                      The A5V10.5 Amyuni printer drivers seem to be working for me on Win 8 when running it in Win 7 compatibility mode with admin rights, Win 8 build 9200. Tested several reports with no problems except that on a very long report I either could not abort it with the abort button or it took a long time to finally abort. My no problems (so far) experience is why I asked, "What am I missing?"

                      Dave,

                      I agree--people will be using Win 8 (they already are in droves), but the only client I currently have to worry about probably won't have a Win 8 machine for at least a year, at which time presumably he and I will both have V12. If they do get a win 8 box before that, it should be no problem getting them to run A5 in win 7 compatibility mode.

                      It's weird that I have yet to run into a single problem given that others have had problems. But I like it!

                      Ray

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

                        I downloaded my v10.5 app and it installed as I wanted with runtime in a folder off c drive. All registerations were done and all the side stuff was installed. It would not run in any mode without popping up the uac error asking if it was ok to run. It had other problems too, but it was a few months ago and my memory doesn' go beck that far.

                        Did you turn off uac??
                        Dave Mason
                        [email protected]
                        Skype is dave.mason46

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

                          No I have not (yet) turned off UAC but it is easy enough to do. There is also a setting thta leaves UAC on but ... what?, less sensitive? For now I am just saying "go ahead" and it runs fine. The UAC message does not even come up with the full version. I had guessed it was because I had installed the runtime in the Program Files (x86 or whatever) whereas not so for the full version. But of course as of yet I don't know if that had anything to do with UAC.

                          Ray

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

                            Update--after more experience and testing. To repeat, I installed both the full version (not in Program Files) and the runtime, V10.5. When I set the exe file to run in Win 7 compatibility mode with Admin rights, the only initial glitch was that I got the UAC warning. But now I have turned off the UAC warning, so not even that comes up.

                            Interestingly, I did see a few A5 glitches on my new machine. However, the good news is that once Windows updates did 40 or more updates (taking forever!) I have yet to find a single thing in my main, fairly complex app that doesn't work just as it has always worked, and that includes producing PDF files via A5. I've run queries, done updates, appends, exports to excel and imported files from another program, which by the way starts A5 and my app if it is not running.

                            Another interesting thing: some of my old programs (e.g. QuickBooks 2007) install and run without being in any compatibility mode, leading me to wonder if Alpha may have done something to make 10.5 incompatible with win 8 just so we'd have to buy V11 (who would do such a thing!).

                            One more comment: Now that I am getting used to the Win 8 differences from win 7 and XP, I have to say, yes, there is some frustration with all the new stuff I have no use for (e.g., the tiled "Start" screen) but I have to say there are some things I really like, particularly the new file manager--which I really like.

                            I can only guess that the reason others were having trouble with V10.5 on Win 8 was that Win 8 was still evolving via updates and/or the fact that my apps are desktop only and do not use grid components nor do they use browses for data entry. But to repeat, my plan is to only do minor app maintenance and enhancement on one existing 10.5 app. Just killing time waiting for V12 and don't want to unnecessarily waste money on V11.

                            Raymond Lyons

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: A5v10.5 on Windows 8?

                              Raymond,

                              Stay with the thought that windows updates may have changed. My apps use nothing fancy and also do not use a browse for data entry. I also, do not use pdf files. I will have to try it again with all the new updates I have now.
                              Dave Mason
                              [email protected]
                              Skype is dave.mason46

                              Comment

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