Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Question about OS requirement for ver 6.5

Hi all,

I'm making plans to upgrade my hardware to eventually run version 6.5. Happily running 6.3.3 now on a Server with Windows Server 2003 and 11 client computers, some running Win 7 and some running XP. No problems.

Now, I know I need to upgrade my server as the "main" computer to run Server 2008, increase memory, etc for the upgraded database.

The documentation on the AC website re: hardware requirements for the "client" machines is a little confusing. In one paragraph it states that 6.5 will "run on virtually any desktop computer" and specifically lists Windows XP as an option. It then later says the minimum requirement for a client computer is Windows 7. NO mention of Windows XP.

So, do I need to upgrade all my client computers to Windows 7... or will just the server upgrade suffice?

Thanks, Jim

Jim,

The short answer is that you can keep your XP - For Now. James will point out that XP is going off M$ support. If your machine is running well and you practice safe computing, you have some time.

If you are going to W7, then go 64bit, which may require a wipe and fresh install.

Buying a few copies of shrink-wrapped W7 Pro if you can find it isn't a bad planning step.

Know of more than one practice that have already bought their retail W& and stashed them.

Indy is quite correct in that I will point out that Windows XP is going out of support on April 2014. As for upgrading, here is my advice:

1. Get your new server with Windows Server 2008 R2 going now and move AC over to it. This way, when you get ready to move to 6.5, half your work on the server end is already done.

2. As for workstations, upgrade via attrition. As machines age out of service, replace them with new machines that come from Dell/HP/Lenovo/Whatever pre-installed with Windows 7/8.

I do NOT advise upgrading everything in some manic frenzy - not worth the money.

JamesNT

Hi Indy,

Can I ask why? Is Win 7 "better" than Win 8 with Win8Start added?

Thanks!

Gene

AC 6.5 can run on XP for clients but NOT the main computer.

This is because SQL2012 is NOT compatible with XP, and needs to be installed on the main computer.

I would agree with the attrition route. Certainly if they are running XP, you can move up fairly inexpensively compared with adding Win7 or Win8, both of which will cost you at least $75-100. Better than that is that most newer computers come with more RAM memory. RAM is your friend, always.

Another option is leave your Server 2003 and pick up Windows Home Server (it's still inexpensive on Amazon) which is Server 2008 based. Then only use it for serving AC and leave your old server for doing what it has been (except hosting AC.)

But to invent a crisis, and throw all of your money and attention at it for 2 weeks, until the next crisis occurs, is how things get done!

Gene

LOL Gene!!!