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Inside: SereneScreen Fan Forum (https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums/index.php)
-   Marine Aquarium 3 for Windows (https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=46)
-   -   Aquarium Marine 3.2 (https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17012)

Jean-Pierre Marro 10-29-2012 02:00 AM

Aquarium Marine 3.2
 
Hello Jim,
Can we hope to see additions in the Aquarium marine de 3.2 in the days which come?
They would so be the timely since the last modification.
Thank you for an affirmative answer …

Jim Sachs 10-29-2012 09:39 AM

I'm still struggling to get a new PC up and running so I can do more development on the Aquarium.

patscarr 10-29-2012 12:46 PM

Jim, your computer "struggles" always make me chuckle. It's the easiest thing to buy a brand new one for a few hundred bucks. :)

Jim Sachs 10-29-2012 04:12 PM

That's exactly what I did. As I mentioned in another thread, the struggle is to get back to where I was - a point where I can actually do MA development on the new computer. The old hard drive has all my programs, which aren't "registered" on the new one. These are mostly ones which were downloaded years ago with a one-time installation, so there's no re-installation disk, and haven't even been supported for years. Visual C++ 98 is a good example. Lightwave 8 is another. PaintShop Pro 8. Even MS Word wants me to buy the whole MS Office suite before I can even read .doc files again.

patscarr 10-29-2012 08:55 PM

Oh, right. I thought you were trying to get one of your dinosaurs working again so as to have the minimum capabilities to run MA on, like you've done several times in the past. Well, then I have to agree with Morgan. If you need expensive software, I would think your manager/agent/publisher could provide it. You're like a musician without an instrument, an artist without his paints, or a singer without a recording studio. Give Riechart a call. I'm sure he'll hook you up. You just have to let them know over there what you need. They don't read this forum everyday like we do.

DazednConfused 11-01-2012 12:25 PM

Jim...have you tried imaging software? My personal favorite is Shadow Protect. Acronis also does well with disk cloning.

feldon34 11-02-2012 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DazednConfused (Post 144457)
Jim...have you tried imaging software? My personal favorite is Shadow Protect. Acronis also does well with disk cloning.

Acronis is good. The problem here was transitioning to a new computer with new motherboard, components, etc.

Jim Sachs 11-02-2012 09:08 AM

I used Image Assistant from PC Mover. It was a total waste of $39.95. I might as well have just dragged all the files over from one drive to another. None of the programs considered themselves registered afterward.

cjmaddy 11-02-2012 09:40 AM

I've kept regular images using Acronis for many years now. It's saved my bacon more than once. - I would never want to be without it

But!!! - It was a nightmare transferring to Windows7....
Quote:

Originally Posted by cjmaddy (Post 128260)
....that was only the start of my problems...

I have an external hard drive with all my Acronis images and backups on etc.
But this external drive wasn't recognised. - Also I needed to install Acronis.... and that wasn't accepted - it needed an update.... that wouldn't load!

I would say here that when starting with Windows 7 it is essential to have available a computer with an OS you know, and access to the internet!

When I finally got an updated version of Acronis loaded, it didn't recognise any drives!!
Eventually I tried to uninstall Acronis, (numerous times!), - it went through all the apparent steps but repeatedly remained installed!
A re-install over the existing install finally did the trick... and at last I could see all the drives!

It was one long toil of problems, meaningless error messages and frustrations...

Good luck transferring to Window 7 ... You'll need it!!! .... (And don't even think about Windows 8).... :TD:

Jim Sachs 11-02-2012 10:53 AM

I was already using Win7. The current problem is simply transferring from one Win7 hard drive to a bigger one.

hillover 11-02-2012 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Sachs (Post 144518)
I was already using Win7. The current problem is simply transferring from one Win7 hard drive to a bigger one.

It's a bit late for your current recovery effort.

However, for the future, have you considered installing Windows Home Server? Among other benefits, transferring an entire system to a bigger hard drive is simple and straightforward and painless. Of course, it won't handle things like "video card incompatibility".

cjmaddy 11-02-2012 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Sachs (Post 144518)
I was already using Win7. The current problem is simply transferring from one Win7 hard drive to a bigger one.

I would be surprised if an Acronis image couldn't do that. But with Windows7, - who knows? :rolleyes:

Jim Sachs 11-02-2012 01:06 PM

I don't really expect you guys to come up with a magical cure - the main reason I'm posting in this thread is just to explain why my recently planned additions to MA 3.2 have not been forthcoming.

I'm actually on the new computer right now. Internet Explorer works (though it gives a bunch of error messages each time I close one of its windows or shut it down). I got MS Word working (finally found an old Word 2002 disk).

Other than that, nothing. No Visual C++ 98 or utilities for program development, no PaintShop Pro 8 for drawing, no Lightwave for creating 3D objects, no FinalDraft for writing scripts, no Quickbooks for dealing with finances, no Adobe Premiere for editing videos, no AntiVirus, no nuthin'...

89 icons on my desktop, and only 6 of them work.

hillover 11-03-2012 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillover (Post 144523)
It's a bit late for your current recovery effort.

However, for the future, have you considered installing Windows Home Server? Among other benefits, transferring an entire system to a bigger hard drive is simple and straightforward and painless. Of course, it won't handle things like "video card incompatibility".

Looks like this had already been recommended a couple of years ago.

https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...ver#post122328

Jim Sachs 11-03-2012 08:46 PM

I'm not quite sure how a Home Server would be much different, but then I don't know much about them. The programs don't just live 'in the cloud', they must be on some actual hard drive somewhere. When that hard drive fails, maybe it will be easy to duplicate, but won't the programs all say "Sorry buddy, this is a different system. You'll have to buy a new license".

feldon34 11-04-2012 10:20 AM

Windows Home Server is great for backing up all the data off every computer every night. It's also great for keeping all your Photos, Videos, Installers/software, etc. in one place and then they're accessible from everywhere.

But restoring a Windows 7 backup to a different motherboard won't work. Jim's issue in this case was not having all the installers for all the programs he uses in one place. When you are developing software/doing 3D animation, it's a lot more programs than most people realize. We're talking Lightwave, the whole Visual Studio (which is a beast), etc.


If I were to visit Jim, the first thing I would do is go through every box in the house, find all the software, and sort it into 2 piles "Useful" and "Museum". Then I'd setup a low-end computer with WHS with all the automated settings for updates, backups, etc. Then I'd copy all the installers for all of Jim's programs (using Isobuster for all the installers that are on disk) to one folder "Software" on the WHS. I'd also redo the computer with a 64GB SSD and change all the default folder locations so that data CANNOT be stored on the C: drive but will all be stored on the D: drive. Then who cares if the Windows 7 boot drive gets wiped?

If I were Jim's publisher, I would have bought 2 or 3 sets of motherboard, CPU, power supply, hard drive, etc. so that parts can just be swapped in if they fail. There's really no excuse for an artist to have to worry about their computer setup.

hillover 11-04-2012 11:33 AM

I totally agree - with the added note that it's quite possible to restore to a computer with a similar motherboard (similar model of CPU, motherboard manufacturer, etc.). And the issue of video board compatibility is usually easily resolved.

...and I've always found it rather easy to purchase an identical (or sifficiently similar) motherboard on eBay, if I didn't have one saved on the shelf, from some previous project.

The key aspect of this is that the registry is restored.

Jim Sachs 11-04-2012 11:38 AM

One problem is that even if installation disks exist for those ancient programs, all that stuff has been in storage for the past 6 years while I've been building the new house. Picture a storage facility like the one in Indiana Jones, where the government keeps the Ark of the Covenant.

One small ray of hope - Re-registering Final Draft turned out to be easy. It's nice to see a company give you a pass after a hard-drive disaster.

dwax 11-05-2012 09:32 PM

I made a clone of my old drive with, Paragon Drive Copy 12 Professional. After I did I put the new drive in the pc it worked without any problems. I did it because I needed more space. I don't know if that would work if I put it in a new computer because of the difference of parts difference tho. But Paragon has alot of other software for computer migration maybe they have something you can use Jim.

http://www.paragon-software.com/

Jim Sachs 11-05-2012 10:12 PM

I gave up, wiped the drive, installed a new copy of Win7, and will attempt to rebuild one program at a time.

Jean-Pierre Marro 04-07-2013 10:17 PM

Hello Jim,
I believe that unfortunately there will be never in succession in this program of Marine Aquarium 3.2 .
You had announced that there would be a lot of supplement to be afterward added in the Aquarium but nothing comes, it's a pity for the persons who always bought this program.

Jim Sachs 04-07-2013 10:46 PM

I guess you missed my announcement of the two new feather-duster corals.

Jean-Pierre Marro 04-08-2013 08:11 AM

Hello Jim,
I am sorry because I pass every day on the site and I did not see the announcement for 2 new feather dusters. Is the new addition already made? Either he(it) will be soon on-line to be downloaded?
Thank you for being willing to say to me.

Jav400 04-08-2013 09:00 AM

Hi Jean-Pierre,

Glad you are stopping by to check things out. :)

As to the feather dusters, Jim has had some computer problems that he has just recently gotten fixed so he can go back to work. He is currently working on adding some new feather dusters to the aquarium. Hopefully within a week or two something will be available, keep checking back for the updated version when it is available.

patscarr 04-08-2013 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jav400 (Post 147193)
Hopefully within a week or two something will be available

:D Nice little nudge.

Jav400 04-08-2013 09:18 AM

Everybody needs goals. ;) :p :lol:

Jim Sachs 04-08-2013 11:07 PM

I had to make a quick trip to California. My mother is having some (hopefully) minor surgery tomorrow. I should be back at my own computer Thursday night.

Jav400 04-09-2013 06:56 AM

Best wishes for her that everything goes well. :TU:

Jean-Pierre Marro 04-09-2013 08:27 AM

Hello Jim,
Best wishes of restoring for your Mother.

henemly 04-27-2013 05:54 PM

I could help with PSP8, but that's all.

Jean-Pierre Marro 05-16-2013 12:10 AM

Hello Jim,
You make the announcement of Two other corals featherduster to come, will be maybe for this month this??
Thank you we would want so many new additions …

Jim Sachs 05-16-2013 10:23 PM

It won't be this month.

Jean-Pierre Marro 07-23-2013 08:54 PM

Hello Jim,
You make the announcement of two other corals feather duster to come, or other subject in the aquarium, will be maybe for this summer?
Thank you, we would want so many new additions…

henemly 07-24-2013 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean-Pierre Marro (Post 148831)
maybe for this summer?

I'm hoping for 2013.

harris 07-25-2013 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean-Pierre Marro (Post 148831)

...will be maybe for this summer?

Quote:

Originally Posted by henemly (Post 148845)
I'm hoping for 2013.


I'm just hoping! ;)

fly911 08-06-2013 11:18 AM

Help, please?
 
I'm using Marine Aquarium 3.2 for Windows. I have a laptop dedicated to Serene Screen on a 32" LED TV/monitor. I'm using the VGA port from my laptop to the input of the LED TV/Monitor and it looks great. I want to leave the display on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week but the laptop is getting pretty warm. I am using a laptop cooling pad. I have the laptop set for power saver and dimmed the display settings to about 85%, as well as the Serene Screen set to energy conserve. Would it make any difference if I used the HDMI connections? I'm having trouble making the HDMI work, so I have to work that out, but was wondering if it is even worth it. Thanks for any input. Mike Fly911.

fly911 08-09-2013 07:55 AM

32" LED 1080P Screen
 
I just bought a new 32" LED monitor to use with Serene Screen v3.2, 24/7/365 in my living room. It looks fantastic! I've been running it on my laptop but wonder if it wouldn't be better to pick up a compact computer tower rather than run my laptop that hard. The posted system requirements are listed as:
Windows system requirements for the download version of Marine Aquarium:
Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP/2000
256 MB system RAM for Windows XP/2000
512 MB system RAM for Windows 7 (Higher is recommended)
1GB of system RAM for Vista (Higher is recommended)
6 MB hard disk space
DirectX 9.0c or later
3D Accelerator video card with 64 MB VRAM
The latest drivers for your video card.

Any recommendations above and beyond these that anyone can offer for 24/7 operation, and allowing for future upgrades?
Thank you very much for any input...... Mike fly911

Jim Sachs 08-14-2013 10:17 PM

Yes, a mini tower would definitely run cooler than a laptop. I doubt it makes much difference which port is used. One thing that makes a big difference in heat is frame rate. Use the 'Limit Frame Rate' setting within the program to set it to as low as you can to still maintain smooth motion.

fly911 08-15-2013 07:39 PM

Great Advice, Jim. I checked "Limit Frame Rate" and a setting of 88 kept the fish moving smoothly. The CPU usage went from 55% to 35% and the laptop runs much cooler now. I'm on the lookout for a mini tower so I can jump from the current 17 fish to a full 30. Thanks again!
Mike

Jim Sachs 08-15-2013 11:08 PM

Glad to be of help.


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