GPS and Micosoft Vista

[Pumbaa]

Hi All

Has anyone tried to use their GPS software on the new Microsoft Vista?? I'm just about to buy a new aptop, and they all come out with Vista. Just a bit concerned that GPS software won't be compatible. :confused: (fyi - I don't have a GPS yet, and still need to buy one as well.)

Thanks
Pumbaa

[zauronus]

hmm, i have ozi explorer on my lappy, no dramas with vista.

[ravofireman]

i hate vista.. My msn dont work,, my fav game worms world party dont work,, grr,, dunno about gps stuff,, i am yet to buy it but ill think ill wait a few weeks to make sure that they build stuf for it

[markstd80]

My mapsource software works with vista. Just had to download the latest software update from garmin.:)

[Ghost]

ozi explorer runs on any version of windows its not fussy at all, will also run under linux using wine

[away]

I just put my Windows XP laptop through the compatibilty test for Vista and all of my GPS softwares came up OK. (OziExplorer, Discover Aus, GPS Wedge)

Mind you, shiploads of other stuff failed, so I wont be going through with the upgrade.

[Reddo]

Does anyone know how to get Magellan XL to talk to Vista? It appears that Magellan have not yet produced the drivers necessary to communcate fully with Vista. I Hate VISTA already!!!

[lewi]

just a quick tip, if you have purchased a pc with vista installed, you have free downgrade rights to windows xp.

If you have vista business, you can downgrade to xp pro
If you have vista home, you can downgrade to xp home.

[Reddo]

hey Lewi how do you downgrade to XP?


Local IT expert said this is not possible as the XP drivers are not available from MS any more....and it is frankly too difficult to do. Rather, it is simpler to get a copy of XP and load that on instead.

OK advice so far....the Magellan seller blamed MS/Windows saying they removed an important driver which was present in XP from Vista thereby making Vista unable to read the Magellan output for moving maps - or just about anything else of use really....and

Ozi Explorer seller advised some gobbledegook about file transfer methods that did not answer my question as to how to make a Magellan GPS talk to Ozi Exp via Vista...and....the advice seemed to indicate that Magellan can't do moving maps thru Vista.

However, Ox Exp web site does not say that Vista can't do or has problems doing moving maps for Magellans ... I'm stilll talking to them about this and may be seeking a refund.

If this is the case, then a lot of buyers of new computers, Magellans and Ozi Explorer are going to be very disappointed as nearly all new computers are loaded with Vista. I really don't want to go back to XP despite just about everyone (including IT experts) saying just junk it.

Any suggestions GPS gurus?

[lewi]

I earn my living working on computers. As the company I work for is a Microsoft partner, we were sent documentation about this.

Also read this... http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/f/4/5f4c83d3-833e-4f11-8cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf

Pretty much, if you know someone with a copy of xp, or if you have one, you can format your computer and install xp using their cd key. When you try to activate it, if it fails, call the MS number and let them know you want to downgrade from vista and they should give you an activation key.

Usually with brand name computers such as toshiba, ibm etc... you can download the xp drivers from their website for you model of computer.

Ive done this a couple of times with IBM computers for customers that want xp instead of vista.

[Reddo]

Hi

thanks for the advice.

I have Vista Home, which is not included in this roll-back - I have checked with M$. Maybe one day it will be, but by then I will have moved on, or back to XP. Interestingly, sales of licensed XP are still high even though MS is removing supplies to force people to move to Vista. So, get one quick if you can.

PS. Ozi Explorer and Magellan reps have advised that their devices can't communicate with Vista to the full extent they did with XP, and each hopes MS or Magellan or someone will fix it.

So far no progress with either MS or Magellan, who unfortunately have very poor after sales service.

I have also asked Ozi Explorer to put a warning on their web site about the Vista/Magellan issue. Currently the Ozi Explorer site suggests that the Vista problem is fixable.

I bet they don't:(

[gpsoz]

No vitsa drivers for eXplorists, older meridians are OK

OziExplorer works OK on vista, see warnings on their web site, again no moving map with Vista, other GPSs are fine

cheers
brian
GPSOZ - for all your GPS requirements. (http://www.gpsoz.com.au)

[Reddo]

Agree, thanks for the confirmation.

PS where is the warning on the Ozi Explorer web site. I do have poor eyesight but could not find any warning. Likewise Magellan don't warn you about Vista.

[gpsoz]

see GPS Connection Problems Support (http://www.oziexplorer3.com/support/oziexplorer/run_vista.html)
this is more specific re ozi on vista. Nothing about eXplorists

chers
brian
GPSOZ - for all your GPS requirements. (http://www.gpsoz.com.au)

[Reddo]

Good to see the warning:)