Hello I am stuck with an issue which I hope someone here may have some advice on. I have been using Protel 99 se Service pack 6 for a while with no real issue. Now suddenly it is refusing to open any project files.
Sequence of events are as follows:
I open Protel
I click File - Open
Select the project file I wish to work on.
Click Open...
The open window closes and then nothing happens as if I had click cancel. I have tried creating a New project but then the program just crashes and becomes non responsive.
I am running Windows 10 Pro.
I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling.
I tried a system restore (which worked in the past) but that is failing to complete now.
If you need any further details please ask and I will try my best to answer them. Has anyone had this issue before? or have any suggestions of how I might fix it please? Any help would be greatly appreciated it.
Sequence of events are as follows:
I open Protel
I click File - Open
Select the project file I wish to work on.
Click Open...
The open window closes and then nothing happens as if I had click cancel. I have tried creating a New project but then the program just crashes and becomes non responsive.
I am running Windows 10 Pro.
I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling.
I tried a system restore (which worked in the past) but that is failing to complete now.
If you need any further details please ask and I will try my best to answer them. Has anyone had this issue before? or have any suggestions of how I might fix it please? Any help would be greatly appreciated it.
That's a very old version. Is this a pukka Altium release you've just been running for 18 years+ or a non-licenced one?
Hello billshurv
Thanks for the reply It is indeed very old and not very nice but I work for a company that refuse to upgrade to anything else... I'm not entirely sure what you mean but it doesn't have a license it's just a download and run. does this help at all?
Thanks for the reply It is indeed very old and not very nice but I work for a company that refuse to upgrade to anything else... I'm not entirely sure what you mean but it doesn't have a license it's just a download and run. does this help at all?
OK looking at the notes on the Altium page not even sure this is accredited to run on win10. It looks like no support anymore on that version. Which is not suprising.
It could have got corrupted somehow.
Is the download still available ?
I write and sell pcbcad software and I was gobsmacked at how many engineers still use Windows XP. Some people seem to have an aversion to new programs/OS's.
I guess why change/spend money if what you have works well ?
Is the download still available ?
I write and sell pcbcad software and I was gobsmacked at how many engineers still use Windows XP. Some people seem to have an aversion to new programs/OS's.
I guess why change/spend money if what you have works well ?
Hi,
stumbled on this thread. I haven't used Protel 99-SE for many years. However, I seem to remember that some of the issue running it on newer Windows versions was that Protel puts or want to write to files in the windows folder, which is of course not allowed anymore.
I believe you can find something here on the forum by late Charles Hansen about getting it running on windows 7 or something like that.
If it were me I would either run an old windows version on a machine that's not connected to the internet. Or move to something else.
Mogens
stumbled on this thread. I haven't used Protel 99-SE for many years. However, I seem to remember that some of the issue running it on newer Windows versions was that Protel puts or want to write to files in the windows folder, which is of course not allowed anymore.
I believe you can find something here on the forum by late Charles Hansen about getting it running on windows 7 or something like that.
If it were me I would either run an old windows version on a machine that's not connected to the internet. Or move to something else.
Mogens
Protel 99SE
You can no longer use non lic. software of Protel 32/64 bit software with computer units connected to the internet. Microsoft and the software designers, have written "shut down/lock out" programs for those non lic. software, because those programs have "phone home" routines.
You must now reinstall your Windows 7, 8, or 10 OS to remove the software blocks.
If you want to use the programs, place them on a non-connected internet machine. Even using a virus protection software will not save you from the "shut down/lock out" programs being written into your OS, since most software designers and producers are under contract with MicroSoft allowing them to bypass the"Windows Defender" programs and install the hacks.
The other way to use any software on a internet computer is to place it on a flash dive. PM me for information.
I know, because I must contact Target 3001, because they have locked me out of my licensed software, because of my relocation from my former location., I will be emailing them soon.
Good Luck
You can no longer use non lic. software of Protel 32/64 bit software with computer units connected to the internet. Microsoft and the software designers, have written "shut down/lock out" programs for those non lic. software, because those programs have "phone home" routines.
You must now reinstall your Windows 7, 8, or 10 OS to remove the software blocks.
If you want to use the programs, place them on a non-connected internet machine. Even using a virus protection software will not save you from the "shut down/lock out" programs being written into your OS, since most software designers and producers are under contract with MicroSoft allowing them to bypass the"Windows Defender" programs and install the hacks.
The other way to use any software on a internet computer is to place it on a flash dive. PM me for information.
I know, because I must contact Target 3001, because they have locked me out of my licensed software, because of my relocation from my former location., I will be emailing them soon.
Good Luck
The software company strikes back !
I blame all those company's who give away software for people thinking they can just use free software on their pc's forever.
I sell PCBCAD software myself and it currently sells for about £4.
Did I put it together in a week in my spare time ?
Not its 30 years of work.
A complete waste of time and effort but I continue to sell at silly prices as any sales I get the competitor who nobbled me doesn't !
I blame all those company's who give away software for people thinking they can just use free software on their pc's forever.
I sell PCBCAD software myself and it currently sells for about £4.
Did I put it together in a week in my spare time ?
Not its 30 years of work.
A complete waste of time and effort but I continue to sell at silly prices as any sales I get the competitor who nobbled me doesn't !
There is a vintage hack-the-license patch for vintage Design Explorer versions, and that allows Protel Design Explorer SE 99 with SP6 to run on Win10 without any issue.
It´s not a money problem but they keep using an old RELIABLE program which feels COMFORTABLE and DOES ITS JOB WELL. 😎
Precisely because they are ENGINEERS, a tool is a tool and is not replaced because of FASHION.
Will you replace a drill press, a hammer, a table saw, because now they make them out of Titanium, fiber composites, cryo treated metals?
Think again.
Windows XP is a robust, stable OS, so if it works well ....
In the old times, some people wondered about my "old" Computer and software choice, noting "other Engineers did the same", while "my Son has a super duper gazillion MHz computer".
Well, sure, "your Son is a Gamer, isn´t he?"
Simulating reality is processor intensive ... actually *working* with it ..... not that much 😛
As a side note, a Friend´s wife is an Architect.
I was having dinner with them and she complained:"I hardly learn a certain AutoCad version when they come out with a new one".
My answer?: "learn and practice *one* and use it to do actual work, stick to it for a couple years. .... meanwhile, at your own pace, no pressure, practice newer ones as they appear, but do not commit time critical paid jobs to them .... yet"
"When/if you feel comfortable, switch but always keeping the old version just in case".
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The problem with pre Win 7 is they are no longer supported for security updates.
So they are prone to malware, viruses etc.
I like my 5GHz computer, it rattles along nicely with PCBCAD, LTSPICE, etc etc
In the past I have always complained my pc was too slow but my current one I have had longest due to its power. No need to upgrade as yet.
So they are prone to malware, viruses etc.
I like my 5GHz computer, it rattles along nicely with PCBCAD, LTSPICE, etc etc
In the past I have always complained my pc was too slow but my current one I have had longest due to its power. No need to upgrade as yet.