MaggieLou

This is interesting. I never thought about this problem. I bought a new computer last year with Windows 8 which I don't like. Now I'm wondering if my problem with downloading emb. designs then trying to use them on my emb. mach. is caused by Windows 8. If I download designs onto a flash drive even though they're all on the drive, my emb. mach. won't see all the designs on the drive. I have a Brother PE770. Luckily, I still have the old computer with XP and a really old laptop also with XP.

romanojg

I've kept my old laptop that runs XP because of this kind of thing. Microsoft may not be supporting it anymore but it'll still work, especially when its not for surfing the internet and where you'd have to run the risk of viruses. all of my software now runs on the latest but I have a few old programs so as long as it holds out, i'll keep the old XP

romanojg

It may not be able to see all of the files if you don't have the right software installed. I just installed 5D Pro and EQ onto Win 8.1 and had to do it a few times. It installed but wouldn't open all modules. I had to uninstall and then reinstall. You might check when putting your flash drive in as well, sometimes you get a message popup saying installing drivers for it, let it do it automatically so that it knows what its reading. I almost took 8 back because its such a large learning curve but in a yr or two it'll be mandatory plus I work in the IT field and we will eventually switch to it when all the vendors are compliant with their programs. 8.1 is better than 8 and its free to update to 8.1. Also, Microsoft has some good tutorials for 8 that has helped find things.

romanojg

5D Pro and EQ7 both ran on my older 64 bit. I have a new one that is 64 and had to install/uninstall a few times with rebooting in between to get them to work right. They'd work but some of the modules wouldn't open. Right now its cheap to buy a XP laptop or computer because alot of people think they can't use them because they aren't supported. I'd go with another device instead of partioning the HD.

mjhaess

I would try to get an older computer just for your designs. I have a Bernina 185.

Dianna77984

Thanks everyone, I have some hope. But now if I remember correctly I had to get a special driver for the Bernina software for XP, and they don't support that any more. But on the one before that I didn't have to. I just can't remember what that one was. Thanks again. will try an old lap top. Have a great day.

llong0233

I'm no computer wiz but I am practical and you have a practical problem. And a darn tough one, too. Microsoft plans the obsolescence into their products which I think should be illegal in some way. IMHO Windows95 was a great OS (operating system). Probably could have used some tweaks, but when XP came out I was thoroughly happy. That OS was the cream of the crop; some 35-40 million personal computers were happily running that program for over 10 years. But when your business model is built on the idea of forcing the public to your product you have to change the product. Anyway, enough of my griping. I think all the advice you're getting about having a separate laptop with XP to run your machines is the best out there. In fact I have a 10 year old laptop available so PM me if you're interested. You have to find a way to use your embroidery machine without replacing it. By the way, that could be what was on the mind of Bernina as well because those machines run for years unless something like this comes along.

Snooze2978

As I also have older programs for my machines I went with the Pro version of Window 7 which gave me the XP module. Since then I don't think I've gone into the XP mode but maybe once or twice as I'm able to use Embird to transfer my Viking designs onto the floppies. I don't think you're able to use Embird for the Bernina format though but maybe one of these days the companies will come together and not fight each for priority rights but to think of keeping their customers happy and running.

MaggieLou

I think I understand what you're saying but my problem is with my emb. mach. not seeing all the designs on the flash drive. Would Win. 8 affect that? I do have Win 8.1 on my computer. I hate to think I'll have to download them on my laptop with XP. It's slower than Methusala.

maryellen2u

The same thing happened to me when I had to buy a new computer which came with windows 8. I have been jiggling and working around for a year in order to use my Pfaff 2144 embroidery system. Now they tell me I just have to buy a new at $7000.00. However I wonder how long that would be useable until some device is updated. I don't know what to do.