Technical Note 19
Windows Vista Compatibility
Windows Vista introduced a couple of changes that affected Eminence Designer 1. First, Vista does not allow the "sendkey" function. Programs that use it to manage keyboard input will generate a fatal error that will cause the program to crash. Eminence Designer uses this function to enable the user to press the "Enter" key to advance the program focus to the next input or control after a value or setting has been entered. There is a workaround: you can use the "Tab" key instead of the "Enter" key and Eminence Designer should not crash.
The second problem involves Eminence Designer's on-screen manual. It is a "hlp"-style help file but Windows Vista does not support this type of help document because it would create a security issue whereby an evildoer can launch a malicious program from a "hlp" file. So Windows Vista does not include a "hlp" reader. There is a workaround: you can download and install a Vista-compatible "hlp" reader from Microsoft but we do not recommend it because then you'll be vulnerable to "hlp" exploits.
Vista-compatible updates
We have provided a free maintenance update of Eminence Designer to address both of these issues. It uses a different keyboard handler that does not employ the "sendkey" function and we've rewritten its on-screen manual as an "html"-style help document that is compatible with Windows Vista. Rewriting the manual was an enormous task because of its size and extensive contents. This update has the same features as the previous version so there is no need to update Eminence Designer until you migrate to Windows Vista.
Here is the version that is compatible with Windows Vista:
Again, because the only purpose of this update is to provide compatibility with Windows Vista, you do not need it if you are using Windows XP or an earlier version of Windows. It has the same features as the previous version (Eminence Designer 1.0.10). Windows Vista users should have "administrator" privileges in order to install an update.
Installer compatibility
Eminence Designer 1 uses an industry-standard InstallShield installer. When you run its setup program on its installation disc or you run one of its maintenance updates, you are running an InstallShield installer. So far, we haven't run into any compatibility issues with this installer under Windows Vista. Because we use an older version (in order to maintain backward compatibility with older versions of Windows), Vista will display a warning message when you run it that says "An unidentified program wants access to your computer." All you have to do is click on the "Allow" button and the installer will run.
If you have a problem when you attempt to intall Eminence Designer or one of its updates—the problem is probably not with the installer, itself. The most common problem is a lack of sufficient privileges. You need "administrator" privileges to run them.
If you're running the installer from a disc and you have a problem, the problem may be with the disc, itself. It should be checked with a different computer. If it still won't work then you will need to order a replacement disc from our Sales Department. (We manufacture our software on CD-R discs and they do not last as long as stamped CDs). If you're running an updater that you downloaded from our website and you have a problem, the problem may be with the file, itself. Sometimes a download will end before it should and you won't have the full file. Or one or more data packets may have been corrupted during download. In this case, check the size of the file to make sure that is matches the size listed on our website. You may need to download a fresh copy.
Another source of installation problems is over-zealous antivirus, firewall and/or anti-spyware software. If you're sure that your disc or download is okay, then try turning off all antivirus, firewall and anti-spyware software and re-run the installer. Don't forget to disconnect your computer from all networks, including the internet, while the protection software is off so your computer is kept safe. Turn it back on after the installation and before you reconnect to your network or the internet.
