Virtual Drive Pro 11 is out...well, sorta

Farstone, http://www.farstone.com/, started selling Virtual Drive Pro 11
today. It is supposed to be Vista x86 and x64 compatible (also XP Pro x64).
Virtual Drive Pro is a pretty nifty product.

Wait a bit before ordering.

I did an upgrade purchase from v10 which I have been using on XP Pro SP2.

Naturally the part about the credit card went fine. It always does. But
the download refused to install on Vista x64 with the message "Cannot
Install on this version of Windows." (And before you start suggested
elevated permissions and such, I ran through all that.) This is not a
program to install in compatibility mode. It has some serious drivers. The
installer properties shows that it is a v11 file. I tried both my primary
and test boxes.

I tried to file a support ticket but no luck. It seems that v11 is not on
the dropdown list for identifying your product as yet so the support ticket
page would not accept my serial number.

In the end I emailed the home office with a request to forward to tech
support.

Sigh.

If you like this program, there is a trial copy link (that gave the same
error) so give it a try and post back if it works for you, especially if you
find it installs OK on Vista x86.

The download page is a bit ambiguous, claiming to be Vista-ready, 32bit and
64bit capable, then stating:
64-Bit and 32-Bit Support
VirtualDrive is Windows Vista ready, and runs on either 64-bit or 32-bit
versions of XP, 2000, and Server 2003
So, no mention specifically of Vista x64.

Downloading the trial version now, will test and see what happens.

--
Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
"Colin Barnhorst" <> wrote in message
news:922CFAA3-0EB6-411C-BD50-...
> Farstone, http://www.farstone.com/, started selling Virtual Drive Pro 11
> today. It is supposed to be Vista x86 and x64 compatible (also XP Pro
> x64). Virtual Drive Pro is a pretty nifty product.
>
> Wait a bit before ordering.
>
> I did an upgrade purchase from v10 which I have been using on XP Pro SP2.
>
> Naturally the part about the credit card went fine. It always does. But
> the download refused to install on Vista x64 with the message "Cannot
> Install on this version of Windows." (And before you start suggested
> elevated permissions and such, I ran through all that.) This is not a
> program to install in compatibility mode. It has some serious drivers.
> The installer properties shows that it is a v11 file. I tried both my
> primary and test boxes.
>
> I tried to file a support ticket but no luck. It seems that v11 is not on
> the dropdown list for identifying your product as yet so the support
> ticket page would not accept my serial number.
>
> In the end I emailed the home office with a request to forward to tech
> support.
>
> Sigh.
>
> If you like this program, there is a trial copy link (that gave the same
> error) so give it a try and post back if it works for you, especially if
> you find it installs OK on Vista x86.

Actually they make the flat statement that it works on Vista:

"Vista Support: VirtualDrive Pro works on Windows® Vista, XP, 2000, and
Server 2003
64-Bit Support: VirtualDrive Pro can operate on both 64-bit and 32-bit
systems"

http://www.farstone.com/software/virtualdrive-pro.htm See the "What's New"
box on the right.

"Jane C" <> wrote in message
news:CC131FF2-88CE-4621-9FBB-...
> The download page is a bit ambiguous, claiming to be Vista-ready, 32bit
> and 64bit capable, then stating:
> 64-Bit and 32-Bit Support
> VirtualDrive is Windows Vista ready, and runs on either 64-bit or 32-bit
> versions of XP, 2000, and Server 2003
> So, no mention specifically of Vista x64.
>
> Downloading the trial version now, will test and see what happens.
>
> --

It definitely won't install on x64 Vista. However, I extracted all of the
files to a folder for investigation and found this in a .chm help file under
system requirements:

a.. Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, or Vista (32-bit system)
Bummer.

--
Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)

"Colin Barnhorst" <> wrote in message
news:e$...
> Actually they make the flat statement that it works on Vista:
>
> "Vista Support: VirtualDrive Pro works on Windows® Vista, XP, 2000, and
> Server 2003
> 64-Bit Support: VirtualDrive Pro can operate on both 64-bit and 32-bit
> systems"
>
> http://www.farstone.com/software/virtualdrive-pro.htm See the "What's
> New" box on the right.
>
> "Jane C" <> wrote in message
> news:CC131FF2-88CE-4621-9FBB-...
>> The download page is a bit ambiguous, claiming to be Vista-ready, 32bit
>> and 64bit capable, then stating:
>> 64-Bit and 32-Bit Support
>> VirtualDrive is Windows Vista ready, and runs on either 64-bit or 32-bit
>> versions of XP, 2000, and Server 2003
>> So, no mention specifically of Vista x64.
>>
>> Downloading the trial version now, will test and see what happens.
>>
>> --
>

Then they haven't posted the x64 file yet. It would say Windows XP x64 or
Vista (64-bit system).
Thanks.

"Jane C" <> wrote in message
news:99DFD1BD-5871-44A5-83B3-...
> It definitely won't install on x64 Vista. However, I extracted all of the
> files to a folder for investigation and found this in a .chm help file
> under system requirements:
>
> a.. Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, or Vista (32-bit system)
> Bummer.
>
> --
>

There could be two files in the distribution but VD uses drivers and low
level code, unlike most apps. That is the same reason VPC 2007 and Virtual
Server 2005 R2 have different executables for x86 and x64 but Office 2007
doesn't.

"cvp" <> wrote in message
news:AEFE6955-768B-42AC-B731-...
>I had exactly the same trouble with VD non-Pro V11. I submitted a TR using
> V10.x but with "Really V11" in the text.
>
> V10 was a single file for x-32 and x-64, so what makes you think there'll
> be
> a separate file for V11 64-bit? I'd expect a fixed 32and64-bit file (when
> they fix it of course)
>
> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
>
>> Then they haven't posted the x64 file yet. It would say Windows XP x64
>> or
>> Vista (64-bit system).
>> Thanks.
>>
>> "Jane C" <> wrote in message
>> news:99DFD1BD-5871-44A5-83B3-...
>> > It definitely won't install on x64 Vista. However, I extracted all of
>> > the
>> > files to a folder for investigation and found this in a .chm help file
>> > under system requirements:
>> >
>> > a.. Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, or Vista (32-bit system)
>> > Bummer.
>> >
>> > --
>> >
>>
>>

I talked to Farstone tech support by phone and Vista will not be supported
until January. Testers found some bugs at the last minute. The present v11
download has installation on Vista blocked because of the issues.

"Colin Barnhorst" <> wrote in message
news:922CFAA3-0EB6-411C-BD50-...
> Farstone, http://www.farstone.com/, started selling Virtual Drive Pro 11
> today. It is supposed to be Vista x86 and x64 compatible (also XP Pro
> x64). Virtual Drive Pro is a pretty nifty product.
>
> Wait a bit before ordering.
>
> I did an upgrade purchase from v10 which I have been using on XP Pro SP2.
>
> Naturally the part about the credit card went fine. It always does. But
> the download refused to install on Vista x64 with the message "Cannot
> Install on this version of Windows." (And before you start suggested
> elevated permissions and such, I ran through all that.) This is not a
> program to install in compatibility mode. It has some serious drivers.
> The installer properties shows that it is a v11 file. I tried both my
> primary and test boxes.
>
> I tried to file a support ticket but no luck. It seems that v11 is not on
> the dropdown list for identifying your product as yet so the support
> ticket page would not accept my serial number.
>
> In the end I emailed the home office with a request to forward to tech
> support.
>
> Sigh.
>
> If you like this program, there is a trial copy link (that gave the same
> error) so give it a try and post back if it works for you, especially if
> you find it installs OK on Vista x86.

True enough, but they already bundle all the supported drivers (including
64-bit in the single install file and the 64-bit drivers are only 0.5MB out
of an expanded 55MB.

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

> There could be two files in the distribution but VD uses drivers and low
> level code, unlike most apps. That is the same reason VPC 2007 and Virtual
> Server 2005 R2 have different executables for x86 and x64 but Office 2007
> doesn't.
>
> "cvp" <> wrote in message
> news:AEFE6955-768B-42AC-B731-...
> >I had exactly the same trouble with VD non-Pro V11. I submitted a TR using
> > V10.x but with "Really V11" in the text.
> >
> > V10 was a single file for x-32 and x-64, so what makes you think there'll
> > be
> > a separate file for V11 64-bit? I'd expect a fixed 32and64-bit file (when
> > they fix it of course)
> >
> > "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
> >
> >> Then they haven't posted the x64 file yet. It would say Windows XP x64
> >> or
> >> Vista (64-bit system).
> >> Thanks.
> >>
> >> "Jane C" <> wrote in message
> >> news:99DFD1BD-5871-44A5-83B3-...
> >> > It definitely won't install on x64 Vista. However, I extracted all of
> >> > the
> >> > files to a folder for investigation and found this in a .chm help file
> >> > under system requirements:
> >> >
> >> > a.. Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, or Vista (32-bit system)
> >> > Bummer.
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> >
> >>
> >>
>
>

There are definitely x64 files in this distribution, I had a good look
through all of the folders. Just not for Vista x64 by the look of it.

--
Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
"Colin Barnhorst" <> wrote in message
news:...
> There could be two files in the distribution but VD uses drivers and low
> level code, unlike most apps. That is the same reason VPC 2007 and
> Virtual Server 2005 R2 have different executables for x86 and x64 but
> Office 2007 doesn't.
>
> "cvp" <> wrote in message
> news:AEFE6955-768B-42AC-B731-...
>>I had exactly the same trouble with VD non-Pro V11. I submitted a TR using
>> V10.x but with "Really V11" in the text.
>>
>> V10 was a single file for x-32 and x-64, so what makes you think there'll
>> be
>> a separate file for V11 64-bit? I'd expect a fixed 32and64-bit file (when
>> they fix it of course)
>>
>> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
>>
>>> Then they haven't posted the x64 file yet. It would say Windows XP x64
>>> or
>>> Vista (64-bit system).
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>> "Jane C" <> wrote in message
>>> news:99DFD1BD-5871-44A5-83B3-...
>>> > It definitely won't install on x64 Vista. However, I extracted all of
>>> > the
>>> > files to a folder for investigation and found this in a .chm help file
>>> > under system requirements:
>>> >
>>> > a.. Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, or Vista (32-bit system)
>>> > Bummer.
>>> >
>>> > --
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>

Installation on XP Pro x64 is also blocked.

"Colin Barnhorst" <> wrote in message
news:922CFAA3-0EB6-411C-BD50-...
> Farstone, http://www.farstone.com/, started selling Virtual Drive Pro 11
> today. It is supposed to be Vista x86 and x64 compatible (also XP Pro
> x64). Virtual Drive Pro is a pretty nifty product.
>
> Wait a bit before ordering.
>
> I did an upgrade purchase from v10 which I have been using on XP Pro SP2.
>
> Naturally the part about the credit card went fine. It always does. But
> the download refused to install on Vista x64 with the message "Cannot
> Install on this version of Windows." (And before you start suggested
> elevated permissions and such, I ran through all that.) This is not a
> program to install in compatibility mode. It has some serious drivers.
> The installer properties shows that it is a v11 file. I tried both my
> primary and test boxes.
>
> I tried to file a support ticket but no luck. It seems that v11 is not on
> the dropdown list for identifying your product as yet so the support
> ticket page would not accept my serial number.
>
> In the end I emailed the home office with a request to forward to tech
> support.
>
> Sigh.
>
> If you like this program, there is a trial copy link (that gave the same
> error) so give it a try and post back if it works for you, especially if
> you find it installs OK on Vista x86.