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Knowledge Base Question

Q. Can I use PATGuard software on Microsoft Vista ?

A.

Yes, however...

Previous released Seaward programs were launched before Microsoft Vista was complete therefore they do not specify the Microsoft Vista platform in the system requirements as being a compatible operating system.  It should be noted that as they were released before Vista the incompatibility is not a problem with these versions and also Seaward will not support such use.  These issues were addressed in Seaward's PATGuard 2 programs - released February 2008.

Testing with the previous releases on Vista has uncovered the following problems and solutions:

Problems...

When installing onto Microsoft Vista, the following problems occur:

PATGuard Elite and PATGuard Pro v1.1:

• Setup stops responding in the final stages (after mdac_typ install)

Note: If setup is aborted at this stage (via task manager) it appears to have been installed OK.

• Message on opening program: ‘evaluation period has ended please register'.
• Can unlock the program with a valid Serial Number and Unlock Code but this information is lost when the program is closed and must be re-entered every time the program is to be used.
• Help File problems

Note: This does not affect any user data e.g. databases or new reports etc.

• Cannot uninstall the program - the uninstall component stops responding upon opening.

PATGuard Lite v1.1:

• Message on opening program: ‘evaluation period has ended please register'.
• Can unlock the program with a valid Serial Number and Unlock Code but this information is lost when the program is closed and must be re-entered every time the program is to be used.

Note: This does not affect any user data e.g. databases or new reports etc.

PATGuard Work About v1.1:

Note: ActivSync is not compatible with Vista - must install MS Mobile Device Centre.

• Cannot register on the PC - message ‘Registration failed'.

PATGuard Time Manager v1.1:

• No problems encountered - this program is fully operational with Microsoft Vista.

Solutions...

PATGuard Elite, Pro & Lite

V1.1 of all these programs has an admin rights issue.

Turning off User Account Control allows PATGuard Lite to work fully however the following issues still remain for PATGuard Elite and PATGuard Pro:

• Setup stops responding in the final stages (after mdac_typ install)
• Help File problems

Note: If setup is aborted at this stage (via task manager) it appears to have been installed OK.

• Cannot uninstall the program - the uninstall component stops responding upon opening.

Please see the following link for details about User Account Control:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/aa906021.aspx

As this work around involves disabling a feature of Vista that Microsoft enables by default, please follow the above URL to understand the functionality and potential security risks of disabling the User Account Control feature BEFORE doing so.  Please note that disabling this feature should be done at your own discretion and Seaward will not be held liable for anything resulting from disabling this feature.

To turn off User Account Control:

• Select Start
• Open the Control Panel
• Select User Accounts
• Select User Accounts again on the next screen
• Select "Turn User Account Control on or off"
• Uncheck the checkbox for "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer"

Once User Access Control is turned off it can be turned back on using the same procedure and Checking the "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer".

PATGuard Work About v1.1 is NOT compatible with Vista OS at this stage.

Note:  This testing was done on Microsoft Vista Business Edition.