We are currently starting the process of getting all our applications ready to migrate from Windows XP Pro (32 bit) over to Windows 7 (64 bit).
Currently we have Microstation V7, V8 & XM all running on our systems.
I've tried installing MicroStation V7 and it appears successful (so far) with the exception of printing. Same thing with V8 2004 edition - printing hangs up the program. I did install the program under C:\Program Files and not the default C:\Program Files (x86).
My question is are the previous versions of MicroStation supported on Windows 7 64bit?
Hi Tanya,
the first MicroStation certified for Windows 7 (both 32 and 64 bit) is MicroStation V8i SELECTseries 1. I think it will be hard to receive a support for any older version, if the problem will be possibly caused by OS.
In my opinion there is no a big difference between 32 and 64 bits as MicroStation always runs in 32 bits environment (with 64 bit memory management in the case of newer versions), so there is high probability the same problem will exist both at Win7 32 and Win7 64 bits.
To keep Windows standards you should install 32 bits applicatons developed for x86 architecture to C:\Program Files (x86) folder, because only 64 bits applications should be installed at C:\Program Files.
If you want to reach full compatibility in Windows 7, you can use Windows XP compatibility mode or VMWare and to run MicroStation in virtualized environment. The cost for compatibility is bigger utilization of computer resources and slower speed.
With regards,
Jan
Bentley Accredited Developer: iTwin Platform - AssociateLabyrinth Technology | dev.notes() | cad.point
Jan,
Bentley has to have some sort of direction for supporting previous versions in Windows 7, we can't just abondon previous projects.
Tanya
Tanya,
I am able to run and print from MicroStation 2004 on Windows 7 64 bit. I did load it in C:\Bentley2004 for a directory instead of Program Files (regular or x86). You mention that it hangs when you print. What steps are you using for printing?
As for MicroStation J, it is over ten years old so I can't imagine it could be supported on Windows 7. To many differences between Windows 98 and now...
I think there is nothing like "have to" and I say it not only because I worked for Bentley for nearly 10 years, but more as active consultant and developer.
It's not easy to support and to certify older software at new environment. Quite often it is very complicated if changes in Windows lead to requirement to rewrite substantial part of a code, recompile, test and release in fact new software. Nobody is able to develop software, that will be fully compatible with OS that doesn't exist at the time.
On the other hand the reality is not so dark, many users use different versions of MicroStation at not certified Windows without any problem and sometimes Windows can be tweaked a bit through compatibility settings etc.
Probably the best thing you can do, if you want to use older MicroStations in Windows 7 64bit environment, is to install it and if any problem will appear, to ask people here at forum including detail information about your HW, SW and configuration.
Regards,
The version issue is not an easy one to brush aside, especially for those of us who still have to deal with PDS and that means a reliance on V7. It will be very interesting to see if B and Intergraph certify both for W7.
I've been testing V7 and 2004 so far and haven't some across any show stoppers, but also change the install directory name as has been mentioned.