So despite past history, you still won't adopt any kind of backup system. A $500 Windows Home Server system from HP with minimal configuration would make nightly incremental backups of your computer without any intervention or babysitting. A one-time $500 cost for peace of mind.

I have no words.

Backing up my files has never been the problem, it's losing the use of all my programs. Last time I tried every type of recovery software out there, but none were able to convince Windows, visual C, or anything else that they were still running on a licensed hard drive.

This makes a fine argument for the use of pirated software. :sad:

It's not backing up your files. It's backing up your whole system.

With the system still functional, you can clone your hard drive, and keep on swimming.

I'll look into the cloning business, but I don't hold much hope that it will fool these draconian copy-protection schemes.

Yes, I was testing in unregistered mode. MA33gBeta fixes the gaffe.
:) I think Jim is just looking for an excuse to stop working on MA3 since we've overwhelmed him with requests. :)

Actually, I have enjoyed working on the program lately. I'm surprised that I was able to get back into it and remember all the hundreds of steps required for a successful 'cook'.

Perhaps not. However, my grandson's PC just had a problem with its hard drive, I cloned it, and the new drive booted correctly and ran all of his software. Of course, that has to be done before the old hard drive completely dies.

Of course, if something won't run after doing that, and assuming you have the original installation media/files, it's usually straightforward to re-install (perhaps with a call to the vendor at some point).

But I see that this forum has been there before. Sorry.

It is not always that easy.. Most vendors will be keen to sell you a new copy but refuse to assist with an old version. Autodesk is a prime example.. they no longer support older versions (like only 5 years old).. and those older versions will not install on the new operating systems. And.. to get an old operating system to run on a new operating system requires tech support that is not up to the task.. it is a mess.

Exactly. That's always been my problem (along with more than my share of hard drive failures). My software is all more than a decade old, and unsupported by the manufacturers any more. I used up all my allowable re-installation tries before the turn of the century. Morgan was able to help me out once with one program which is thousands of dollars to replace.

(Downloading Acronis disk-cloning program now.)

I believe Cliff is a big proponent of Acronis. I do have to wonder though why the disc imaging backup feature in Windows Vista/7 would not be up to the task? I've never actually had to restore from it but have used it to make backups.

...but that ("old version") isn't a problem if you clone the entire disk, because you will still be using the old OS and software the same way you were.

The same is true if you use a system backup solution that can restore the bootable system image to a new hard drive. I happen to use Microsoft Home Server for that purpose, but there are a fair number of other good ones out there.

It worked! A new 2TeraByte Western Digital hard drive was only $99 at Best Buy. I popped it in, ran the Acronis software, and 3 hours later had a perfect clone of my C: drive. All my programs work, so I'm back in business. (The only one which even noticed the HD change was Final Draft, which said it was installed but not activated. But then it let me activate it.)

So as long as I still have the hood open on MA3, were there any other easy jobs that I promised, then forgot about?

Edit: Oops, I did find one program that won't work - Quickbooks.

Was the starfish climbing the glass ever a promise.. or easy?

Hmmm, I'll have to give that one some serious thought.

Some people wanted you to put your signature into the gravel.

Yes, Acronis has come to the rescue on many occasions over the years. Pleased to hear that it has also worked for you.

I vote for starfish climbing on the glass too. :)

Deleted - forget this, might be finger trouble.

Jim,

I didn't want to overwhelm with requests :silent:, but since you are asking. ;)

A long time ago we (the forum) were discussing the ability to locate the starfish in a few different areas within the tank. As an example, if a user prefers a stationary view from the center to right side of the tank the starfish is never seen. Ideally, three positions would be best - as it is, center(ish), and right(ish) side locations. This would be especially useful for users with standard (not widesceen) monitors.

I am pretty sure this would involve an extreme amount of programing and testing because of collision avoidance, new settings in the options menu, etc., but you did ask. :)

I'm now going back into a :silent: mode. (hint, post#166). :D

My wife's hard drive began making funny noises and slowing the whole computer to a snails pace last month. First opportunity for me to test the cloning caddy that cost £50. Worked perfectly and the new drive booted as soon as plugged in. All university and other work safe - whew! Well worth the money and the only caveat is that the new drive must be of equal size or larger than the original for the cloning to work.
Andy

Re: starfish on glass -
This is probably a bigger job than I'm willing to take on right now. When I went to the 3D background, I had to allow the fish to come forward past the actual front glass of the tank, in order to minimize collisions. If the starfish were on the glass, fish would be passing through it all the time. Last night I did a few experiments with extending the front glass forward a few inches, but the stretching of the gravel was quite apparent.

I'll keep thinking about it, but it's unlikely to make the cut for this release.

harris,

Perhaps a choice of different start positions for the starfish is not asking too much. I experimented with this some time back.....

If you want to start off with him nearer the centre of the tank, you need to try these Registry 'StarfishPosition' settings....

StarfishPosition REG_BINARY cf 07 ef 3f 31 a7 66 c0 b3 c9 97 3e

Note that these StarfishPosition setting numbers MUST be entered in the Registry only whilst the starfish is absent from the tank.


So....

If we were to ask Jim nicely ;) - He might give us the left, centre, and right positions you suggest. :)

Edit to the above:-
I don't think it is now necessary to change the StarfishPosition setting whilst the starfish is absent. The starfish does not now revert back to the left of the tank. - You can change the setting whilst MA3 is offscreen, and it will restart from your chosen new position.

Cliff - for that to work, I'd need to create a couple more starfish 'corrals' - boundary areas. Otherwise, he'd crawl right through the other objects. This is not impossible, but not trivial either. I'll look into it.

Off-topic, of course, but:

You're welcome. (and hoping Quickbooks can be persuaded).

Now, please consider a system backup solution that would work when, some day, your hard drive just simply quits working at all without warning.

an "all settings back to default" button
multiple bubble columns
a new critter

Pat - can't you just use CTRL-R to reset the settings?

Jim,
You've delivered. Sit back, relax, look at the sky! I'm sure everybody on site could allow you a week before nagging for the next 'improvement', 'adjustment', 'addition', etc.
Andy

I don't mind adding something else if it's easy. Once I decide to make it the official 3.3 version, then the Cast of Thousands must go to work creating the installer, the myriad language translations, the iPad and iPhone versions, the Android version, etc.

Deleted by original poster.

"the official 3.3 version"
Never really expected to hear that!
Is there still a possibility of other "critters"?

So happy that you enjoyed this. Think of all the smiles out here in MA world!

Michael

OK, something is weird here Jim. I got my new laptop today and have installed MA3g on it and now I am back to static featherdusters again. :(

I'm just running it as an exe.

Jav - Just a plain, single-monitor laptop - no weird hardware?

Yeah, running a nvidia GTX 780m, on 7 ultimate.

I've been looking to see if I could figure out any problem from running as an exe but I can't find anything so far.

That shouldn't affect it. Does the single featherduster move normally in MA3.2?

Hmm, good question. I just checked and you are correct, now the single duster in 3.2 is static as well.

How about the other moving background objects like the swaying Gorgonia or Sea Fans?

Everything works fine.