software installation problem

[laysman217]

Hi everyone,

I just bought a new dell inspiron 15r laptop specs( i3 core, 3gb ram, windows 7 64bit etc) and the problem is that i cannot install some of the software that i used on my other laptop which used vista OS 32bit. the only one that worked was microsoft office. the software is 64 bit compatable because my friends use it on there laptop and i even think there OS's are windows 7 64bit also.this is driving me mad because im after buying this laptop and i cant even install the programs i wanted to use on it. Does anyone have any ideas because i just dont no what to do.

Kind Regards

[bludgard]

Are you getting any error messages while installing these programs?

Are you installing from a disc or from an updated source?

[laysman217]

Hi bludgard, thanks for the reply i really appreciate it. ye actually only sometimes though. it was a an error msg saying that an unexpected error has been detected by hotspot virtual machine i dont understand what this is really. however after this error msg i did update java runtime enviroment but it made no difference.

what happens during the install is i enter the licence password when asked and then click next but nothing happens no matter how many times i click it and nothing pops up in the background or anything to give me a reason. in the end i just keep having to cancel the setup.

i did manage to install one of the programs that wasn working at first so i think that the laptop is ok. but its driving me mental cause i need this to work for college and after buying a new laptop i dont want to have to go back to the old one.

thanks again for the reply.

Regards

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

So the applications you are trying to install require Java (JRE)? All of them?

What JRE version do you have installed? (Or is it the JDK you have installed)?

[laysman217]

Hi thanks for the post.

im pretty sure its the JRE and not JKD.

well im not sure if the the app's do it's just that i got an error file while trying to install one saying that hotspot virtual machine(HVM) detected an error. so i googled(HVM) and there seemed to be a link between it and(JRE). heres the link http://www.java.com/en/download/help/error_hotspot.xml . so i downloaded the latest version of (JRE) just to make sure and see if it made a difference which it didnt.

i also tried to run the 32bit version of the program i have but it didnt work either.

it's a really strange one to me because the setup just wont continue any further when i press next, but when i enter an invalid license password it tells me that its invalid but when i enter the correct one it does nothing.

Regards

[Boris]

If you have the latest JRE installed - latest :- http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp

then I can think of nothing else obvious to help you. (Your link refers to a very old version 1.5.0, 6.0 causing this Hotspot problem).

I also tried to run the 32bit version of the program i have but it didnt work either

Exactly what program is this ?

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Still, what version of JRE do you have installed? 32-bit or 64-bit? Only one version (older JRE versions before 1.6u7 needed to be uninstalled)?

[bludgard]

It certainly appears to be a compalatability issue.Windows 7 is kinda funny.Make sure you install programs that are up to date.Do not try to install software that you used on Vista.Unless of course you have paid for this software and have support.In this case contact them and try to work something out.

I run Windows 7 and it will pretty much install and run anything I wish,providing it is current software.

If you are bonafide and think there is a legitamate issue,take it back and get a replacemement.

What anti virus/malware are you running?

[laysman217]

Hi Everyone thanks for all the help. to be honest i havnt paid for it because i need it for college and a friend has it so i got it off him for free. boris i used your link and it said that i have the latest version installed update 23.thanks for the help.

it does appear bludgard that it is a compatability issue alrite because i was talking with a few college friends and they said that they couldnt install it on windows 7 either but what was weird was that one friend told me it worked for him.we all use 64 bit windows 7.

is there anything i can do with regards using a different OS like vista or xp i.e. the likes of a virtual OS or even installing a different OS permenantly. i know windows 7 is prob the best )S windows have but i need the software. the problem is i have never had to do this before and dont even know how to and because this is a new laptop im a bit scared of damaging it. would this be a possible solution or not? any advice would be very welcome. thanks

with regards antvirus it came with a 15mnt mcafee subscription but i had all firewalls and stuff turned off during setup!

Kind Regards

[bludgard]

Windows 7 is a great host for a virtual machine.

Windows 7 also sports it's own virtual machine if running any version higher than Home Premium.http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/default.aspx

I use VirtualBox virtual machine on both Windows 7 HPX64 and XPsp3.Very responsive.Definately recommended if you do not have Pro or Ultimate version of Windows 7.There are of course other virtual machines to choose from.

You could dual boot as well.Do some research before leaping into it,though.It seems a little intimidating,but it is a fairly simple procedure once the mechanics are worked out.

I find the virtual machine a far better choice for running a different OS on Win 7 than dual booting.There is less maintenance and if there is a problem,it is disposable.Trash it and create another.There are options to save "snapshots" to recover the VM to a previous state.

I would imagine that you have created backup of your hard drive in the form of system image backup.This of course is the breadcrumbs that will lead one out of the forest in case things get dark while one is yet fiddling.Backups are great.A tool that has many advantages.

[laysman217]

Hi Bludgard thanks for the reply. i will give virtualBox a shot because im running windows 7 home premium and see how it goes. how does virtualbox work i.e. do i have to install vista inside the virtual box and is there a freely downloadable version of vista for virtualbox. ive been searching but cannot find it! i have my system restore disks anyway should anything go wrong. do you think i should still maybe consider downgrading to vista maybe if i can get an installation cd? thanks for all the help.

Kind regards

[bludgard]

Hi,laysman.

I personally would never consider downgrading from Windows 7.

If you must use Vista to operate this software,I would consider running it as a virtual guest.Even dual booting Win 7 and Vista.

I just do not understand why this program will not run on Win 7.There are options to run software in compatability mode that will usually sort out issues.

If you could supply the name of this particular program,maybe there is a solution available that is less involved.However,dual booting and/or the use of a virtual machine can give you an extra layer of security and is in my opinion a great way to learn some basic ends and outs of computing machines.

I'll be more than happy to assist as needed (with my limited knowledge).As well as others here as shown by the response to your thread.

One

[laysman217]

Hi Bludgard,

yes i know thanks a million everyone.

yes i would like to now more about the in's and outs of using a virtual machine like virtualbox and even dual booting. i have another quick question though. i was wondering if i need an actual windows vista/xp OS disc to install it within virtual box once virtualbox VM is installed or is there an open source one you can download and use to install vista/xp within virtual box.

with regards the name of the software i am a bit reluctant to say its name because i did get it off a friend and i dont think it is very bonafide.

Kind Regards

[bludgard]

If you want free or open source,I'd suggest a Linux Distro.

MS gives nothing away and I wont be the one to encourage/abet piracy.Not saying that this is your intent.Others may use the knowledge for nefarious reasons.I do hope you understand.

Keep us updated if you will?If you acquire the necessary tools and want to forge ahead,I'll be here.

One

[laysman217]

Hi Bludgard,

Thanks for all the help. i will let you know how i get on. you have given me alot of info so i will need time to get through everything and think about it all. thanks again and i will definetly ask for help again when i am bound to need it.

Regards

Ladysman217.

[optiplex]

such a valuable argument here for installation.

[laysman217]

Hi,laysman.

I personally would never consider downgrading from Windows 7.

If you must use Vista to operate this software,I would consider running it as a virtual guest.Even dual booting Win 7 and Vista.

I just do not understand why this program will not run on Win 7.There are options to run software in compatability mode that will usually sort out issues.

If you could supply the name of this particular program,maybe there is a solution available that is less involved.However,dual booting and/or the use of a virtual machine can give you an extra layer of security and is in my opinion a great way to learn some basic ends and outs of computing machines.

I'll be more than happy to assist as needed (with my limited knowledge).As well as others here as shown by the response to your thread.

One

Hi bludgard,

this is prob a very silly question but i was just wondering if i should use a 64bit or a 32bit version of virtual box to install on my laptop remembering my new laptop is a 64bit. i was also wondering if it is possible to use a 32bit quest OS within virtual box if host OS is 64bit/and vise versa? and also it from what i was looking at on VB website windows 7 is not a supported OS. maybe i am mistaking? thanks for your help so far.

Regards

[bludgard]

Hi,ladysman217.

As far as I know,VirtualBox is a 32 bit software.I have seen ads for 64-bit but this is not present on the programs homepage.So I would tend to stay away from choosing a 64 bit VBox unless it is offered on said homepage.

That being said....As long as you host machine is of 64-bit architecture,you pretty much have free reign.I have run Windows 7 Ultimate X64 guest on a Linux X32 host.Win XP X32 guest on Win 7 HP X64 host.I am dual booting XP and Lucid Puppy on a single virtual drive on the machine.The list of possibilities is probably only limited to your imagination and willingness to fail.:0 Remember,it's disposable.Try again.

I am certainly not the expert on this,as many have far more experience with VMs than I.However,I am impressed with this product.Not only is it a great tool for security and compatibility issues,it's fun to play with.

EDIT:VirtualBox definately runs on Windows 7 X64.This would be the one--->http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/4.0.2/VirtualBox-4.0.2-69518-Win.exe

[laysman217]

hi Bludgard,

thnks for the reply. thats good news. i am currently installing an OS within virtual box. one more silly question though i was wondering how to install a program like MS office on the OS within virtual box? is it the same procedure as installing on your host OS. i only ask because i havnt yet tried it because im currently only installing the OS within virtualbox.

Regards

[bludgard]

Treat the VM as a regular OS.If you want to install full versions of programs,be prepared to enter product keys.

If you feel that you need time to acclimate yourself to the VM,run the trial period of the software until you feel as though you have a firm grip on things and want to make a VM permanent.

As always,please keep a current backup of your hard drive.I know you have a recovery partition that will get you back to factory conditions,recovering from this method can be quite a time waster and frustrating when trying to get back to your comfort zone.Hours/days.Whereas a system image can get you sorted and comfy in 15-30 minutes usually.

Something to think about.

[laysman217]

Hi Bludgard,

Thanks for the post. im not sure i understand you do u mean a system image like a snapshot in the virtual OS. do you mean this type of backup with regards the virtual OS using virtual box?if you understand what i mean. also i have installed the OS in virtualbox but i cannot connect my usb so i cant install programs. have you ever experienced this?

Regards

[laysman217]

Hi Bludgard,

Thanks for the post. im not sure i understand you do u mean a system image like a snapshot in the virtual OS. do you mean this type of backup with regards the virtual OS using virtual box?if you understand what i mean. also i have installed the OS in virtualbox but i cannot connect my usb so i cant install programs. i am having serious trouble trying to connect the usb ive tried the filter but once agian im not sure if im using the filter right either. sometimes however it does say that the device is captured but i still cant see it when i open my computer. have you ever experienced this?/ if possible would you be able to explain how to connect the usb memory stick. i have searched and tried really hard but nothing seems to be working for me. thanks a million.

Regards

[bludgard]

Could you please provide the host as well as guest operating systems?

Have you installed the Guest Additions?

Start the VM.Plug in the USB device and click on the Devices tab on VM menu bar in top left corner.Mouse hover over USB Devices tab.If you see the target device in the list to the right,click on it and it should be added and accessible under My Computer.

Here is a decent post on setting in VirtualBox.http://virtuatopia.com/index.php/Configuring_VirtualBox_Virtual_Machine_Settings

Hope this is helpful.

Apologies for the delayed response.

[bludgard]

Sorry.

What I meant was imaging you host computer hard drive.If you are only backing up Windows operating system(s),the onboard Win 7 Disk Imaging tool will work fine.If you choose to add a Linux distro to your machine you will need to employ a different imaging software for Windows will not recognize Linux file system(s) and therefore the Linux partition will not be included in the image.

A quick guide to imaging Windows 7.http://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-create-a-disk-image-backup-in-windows-7

[bludgard]

I would like to edit an earlier post.

VirtualBox is not a 32-bit software.It would seem to be a hybrid all depending on the hardware?

Can anyone shed some light on this before I bug out?

MANEMAN?

Anyone...?