Home Forums Discussions General Discussion AC V4 on Windows 2000

In case anyone is interested, AC V4 installs and runs perfectly on Windows 2000 Professional. XP machines interface with the Win2K main computer just fine also.

I would agree. I have one machine with 256 K of memory, a pentium 2 at 450 mHz and win 2K and it runs V4 well!!!

Windows 2K has such low overhead it allows a ancient processor to run well, wouldn't try that combo with vista

Amazing charts version4 (the MSsql version) CANNOT be used on anything other than XP or higher versions. Windows 2000 Pro will NOT support installation of the MSSQL version AC is using. This is really unfortunate as mysql works well in windows all versions and also on Ubuntu/Linux. The advantage of using ubuntu 8.04 ( hardy Heron) as a server is the absolute simplicity of setup and lack of administration hassles(works well with older non sql version of AC). I really wish AMAXINGCHARTS sold a pre-configured Ubuntu server with AC installed and all one has to do is stick it on a network and install windows clients to point to the folder on the server. mysql works very nicely on Ubuntu 8.04( 10 times faster than MS SQL with better set of features) . Windows server 2008 is OK ( costs $1200) . Windows server 2003 is very slow. So if you want to access your AC on more than 10 workstations simultaneously, you are stuck with the option of buying windows server 2008. When it comes to file and database server functions, it is hard to beat Ubuntu. Big corporations are not stupid. That is why even Google runs on Linux!

N. Murali, MD, FACP, FACG/ www.drmurali.com

Actually, it will run on Windows 2000 sp4... check out http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...448-8848-dcc397514b41&displaylang=en . The problem that I see with Windows 2000 is that it's not secure anymore since there are no further update patches to fight off modern day viruses. Also, installing Windows 2000 with all of the available patches is a mess! Windows XP Professional is still sold cheap in various venues:

-- TigerDirect has it for $149 (with $2 shipping) http://www.tigerdirect.com/cgi-bin/ShoppingCart.asp?prchbcart=y&msg=0&q=1
-- eBay has it for as little as $50 (see http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_dm...;_odkw=win+xp+professional&_osacat=0 )
-- You can get them for less than $50 on Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...1236539402&sr=8-10&condition=new
-- The best deals are to buy Dell computers on eBay with Win XP Pro on them; they usually go for dirt cheap to a point that the computer is essentially free... you end up paying for the software only.

So upgrade those old Win 2000 computers, or buy a new computer on eBay with the OS installed.

Al

I have AC ver 4.058 working on a very old workstation (Windows 2000 with 256 mb, 20 gb hard drive ) - only reason I had it was IT guy was going to throw it away and I just stuck it in a corner of my office and turned it on. Works fine - just haven't thrown it away yet.... shows the program has very little need for bells and whistles.

Thanks for the info guys. I am heartened! Will it work on windows 2000 server( since I already have one running)? Need to see.

As alborg has pointed out,if you want to run the 4.0X version of AC on Windows 2000, the version of dot net should be the older 2.0 not the more recent 2.1. If anything newer is installed you have to uninstall it and then install AC.

Steven: You should also turn off all automatic updates as windows will by default update to the new version of these components

I must claim ignorance as I have not installed or played with SQL Express and AC4 on my network. It would be nice if AC came preinstalled with a machine with Ubuntu, but are you suggesting Jon install V4 on multiple OS on computers? No company does that (installs on an OS ON a computer).

I know you say it won't run or install on Win2K, but it sounds like it did for HrtDOC. Again, I haven't tried to install it on Win2K and won't so I can't say either way.

Certainly users can run more than 10 computers in their network AS LONG AS, there are no more than 10 CONCURRENT connections at any given time to XP Pro or 2000.

I am not sure where you are getting your speed data for 2003 Server vs Ubuntu vs 2008. I doubt one will need to jump to Windows Server 2008 to get good performance. I have used it with SBS 2003 and it is very fast, but I have no reference.

You make some good points and have experience with OSs I have not used, so please don't take this as completely disagreeing. Just wondering if you could clarify some points.

I find it interesting that after 2 people state that AC4 works well with windows 2K you reply it cannot be done. That would be equal to calling us liars.

We see your bias toward mysql, but I can assure you that since the decision was made to go with mssql it is not likely to backtrack to code it with another system. They have other projects in mind.

Might be nice to dump MS and go with linux, but it is not likely to happen anytime soon. AC is NOT in the hardware business, so putting linux servers together would only increase its' complexity. They could also accomplish this by going web based and any system with a internet connection could work.

drwaw: No stealth bomb here! do look at the time of posts and the responses. Also remember you cannot install AC unless you uninstall recent versions of dotnet ( other than 2.0) on a win 2000 machine..
more than 10 Concurrent connections is common in a busy office. Remember your access will be denied uncles one of the 10 who connected to the "server" completely logs off from network( not just close AC) .Often it means shutting own or re-booting a computer. Ac 4.X is painfully slow to reload ( compared to older version) .. Portions of AC may be accessed by different people (front desk, docs who keep program open in more than one room,schedulers, people verifying presc. etc.So it is really easy to exceed 10 concurrent connections. This is why we need clear directions on how to install AC on windows 2000 server , windows 2003 server or windows 2008 server.

The only three OS that I know of which limit your connections to 10 are 2000, XP Pro, and Visa Business or Ultmate. Win98 is unlimited but uses FAT32 as its filing system. AC was never intended for a large office. It is basically for the small office with one to three doctors. More fine, but then you probably need a server. Server OS basically have unlimited connections except for SBS, which has plenty and is server dependent. By the way XP Home is 5.

It makes sense. Microsoft did not intend for client OS to be used as servers. It's OK, not trying to downplay XP Pro or 2000, etc., but there are many out there that have tried to hack the registry and use other workarounds, and these are clearly violations of the licensing agreement.

In the six years I have been on here, I have never had to help someone with a concurrent connections problem. While it is an issue one must think about, to have ten active concurrent connections is quite a lot.

AC4 will work with 2000, but I would probably recommend XP Pro or Vista in a small office and some type of server environment in a larger office.

While there is more than one way to skin a cat, picking apart the basic structure of AC which Jon has decided to go with accomplishes nothing. Let's try to suggest ideas for Jon to improve AC4 as it is.

I guess I am a bit confused here. When I go looking for a product, I evaluate them and make decisions from there. If I am looking at a Dell vs HP, I may decide to go with HP, but I then don't go on a message board and claim it should have used Quad vs Dual-Core and an ASUS vs Abit. I doubt HP would change. If you like what you see in AC, then buy it, if not, then look at an EMR that runs on MySQL. Maybe even Oracle.

You are going on a far different tangent. Your original statement was that AC4 would not install on a Win2K machine, which it obviously does. Now you are talking about Win2K server. I have not had a problem with reloading (?restarting) AC4.

Win 2K is not the ideal platform. I have an old machine I use for other purposes, and since it is part of the network, it needed to run AC4, it did, but that is not it's purpose, that is a secondary benefit (it is mostly for an old state vaccine program.

I would not argue that if you have a lot of machines, running a server will allow you to have more than 10 connections. We commonly have connected 3 different people in 5 different computers and have not had a lockup. Each person has their own windows logon (win xp), so while the theory of concurrent connections may be real, I suspect it is actual computers logged on.

I totally agree with Berts comments, BTW

As I read your posts, I seem to be getting irritated, and I had to ask myself why. Probably because there is a lot of misinformation and the general tone. The more I thought about it, I felt I needed to go through your posts on this topic one by one.

I would be interested to know if you actually use AC and for how long, and how your system is set up?

drwaw: No stealth bomb here! do look at the time of posts and the responses. I DID, YOU CHANGED ALONG THE WAY FROM WIN2K TO WIN SERVER.

Also remember you cannot install AC unless you uninstall recent versions of dotnet ( other than 2.0) on a win 2000 machine. HAVE YOU ACTUALLY HAD TO DO THIS, YOU HAVE A WIN2K SERVER. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE DONE THIS SUCCESSFULLY AND I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH UPDATES.
more than 10 Concurrent connections is common in a busy office. Remember your access will be denied uncles one of the 10 who connected to the "server" completely logs off from network( not just close AC) . NOT TRUE IN DAILY PRACTICE

Often it means shutting own or re-booting a computer. Ac 4.X is painfully slow to reload ( compared to older version) . NOT TRUE IN DAILY PRACTICE

. Portions of AC may be accessed by different people (front desk, docs who keep program open in more than one room,schedulers, people verifying presc. etc. TRUE

So it is really easy to exceed 10 concurrent connections. This is why we need clear directions on how to install AC on windows 2000 server , windows 2003 server or windows 2008 server. I AGREE YOU NEED CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS. THAT IS WHY THEY RECOMMEND THAT YOU CALL TECH SUPPORT TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH INSTALLATION.
PRIOR POST
Thanks for the info guys. I am heartened! Will it work on windows 2000 server( since I already have one running)? Need to see.

As alborg has pointed out,if you want to run the 4.0X version of AC on Windows 2000, the version of dot net should be the older 2.0 not the more recent 2.1. If anything newer is installed you have to uninstall it and then install AC. AGAIN, HAVE YOU DONE THIS, I DID NOT ENCOUNTER THIS PROBLEM

Steven: You should also turn off all automatic updates as windows will by default update to the new version of these components ACTUALLY I HAVE UPDATES SET TO DOWNLOAD AND NOTIFY, AND HAVE NOT HAD AN ISSUE. I THINK I HAVE INSTALLED ALL UPDATES TO THIS POINT (I AM REFERRING TO BOTH WIN2K AND XP)

PRIOR POST
Amazing charts version4 (the MSsql version) CANNOT be used on anything other than XP or higher versions. NOT TRUE

Windows 2000 Pro will NOT support installation of the MSSQL version AC is using. NOT TRUE

This is really unfortunate as mysql works well in windows all versions and also on Ubuntu/Linux. The advantage of using ubuntu 8.04 ( hardy Heron) as a server is the absolute simplicity of setup and lack of administration hassles(works well with older non sql version of AC). HAVE YOU EVER RUN AC3 ON A LINUX MACHINE?

I really wish AMAXINGCHARTS sold a pre-configured Ubuntu server with AC installed and all one has to do is stick it on a network and install windows clients to point to the folder on the server. mysql works very nicely on Ubuntu 8.04( 10 times faster than MS SQL with better set of features TRUTH ???) . THIS WOULD REQUIRE NEW BUSINESS MODEL FOR AC

Windows server 2008 is OK ( costs $1200) . SBS2008 COSTS MUCH LESS AND IS MORE APPROPRIATE FOR SMALLER OFFICES.

Windows server 2003 is very slow. NOT TRUE
So if you want to access your AC on more than 10 workstations simultaneously, you are stuck with the option of buying windows server 2008. NOT TRUE

When it comes to file and database server functions, it is hard to beat Ubuntu. Big corporations are not stupid. That is why even Google runs on Linux PROBABLY TURE, BUT IT HELPS TO HAVE DEDICATED IT PEOPLE TOO