Release Notice

Virtual Machine support for Programming tools not fully validated on Windows 7
If you run the Windows 7 Operating System and have an older version of PLC programming software that has not been fully validated on Windows 7, Schneider Electric recommends using the optional 'XP Mode' application for Windows 7 from Microsoft. Windows 7 XP Mode creates a virtual machine environment that allows older applications to run as they did on Windows XP.

For any required driver updates, see section below labeled 'Driver Updates'

There are 3 steps to installing this environment

1. Download and installation of the XP Mode software from Microsoft (web link below)
2. Install legacy Concept or ProWORX NxT within the XP Mode environment
3. Configure hardware device interfaces with XP Mode

Goals and Symptoms

Legacy programming software may not run on Windows 7 32 bit edition and will definitely not run on Windows 7 64 bit edition. Should you encounter difficulties using Concept or ProWORX NxT on Windows 7, follow the instructions below to use XP Mode on Windows 7.

Facts and Changes
System Requirements for Windows 7 XP Mode

• Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate edition
• 2 GB RAM
• 4 GB Disk Space available
• Dual Core CPU or better - CPU which supporting 'Virtualization'
• Local Windows 7 Administrator privileges for the PC

Note: XP Mode will work with either 32 bit or 64 bit versions of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate.

To test your PC for compatibility with Hardware Virtualization, download a test utility at

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/support/configure-bios.aspx

Causes and Fixes

Step 1 - Download and installation of the XP Mode Environment

Follow the instructions on the Microsoft website for downloading and installing XP Mode for Windows 7 at:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7#section_2

Launch the XP Mode environment Start -> All Programs -> Windows Virtual PC -> Windows XP Mode


Step 2 - Install legacy Concept or ProWORX NxT within the XP Mode environment

You will see a Windows XP desktop within your Windows 7 desktop (Graphic example attached below)

Install your legacy programming software, Concept, ProWORX within the XP Mode environment window.

For Concept users, modify your Windows path by selecting Control Panel / System / Advanced / Environment Variables

Change the TEMP - Variable to a shorter name like %SYSTEMROOT%\TEMP or C:\TEMP.


Step 3 - Configuring Hardware devices with XP Mode

You must map or share your hardware interfaces with the XP Mode virtual environment. For example, serial and USB ports must be 'mapped' from the virtual XP Mode environment to the Windows 7 OS interface. Note that if the XP Mode screen is Maximized, you may not be able to see/access some of the menus required for the next steps. Run XP mode in window Not Maximized.

Configuring the PC Serial Port

1. Within the XP Mode Windows 7 application window, Select Tools -> Settings
2. The Windows Virtual PC Window will appear. Select COM1 as shown below



3. Map XP Mode Virtual Machine ports to Physical hardware ports for serial and USB.

For Modbus Plus driver updates, see below 'Driver Updates'


Step 3 - Operating 16 bit programming applications within the XP Mode environment

1. Launch Concept or ProWORX NxT after you have launched the XP Mode window environment.
2. Once operating in the XP Mode shell environment, legacy programming applications should function normally

Below is a screen graphic example of Concept running in an XP Mode Virtual Desktop within Windows 7.

Driver Updates

For updating Modbus Plus drivers for your Windows 7 PC, refer to Cyberlogic knowledgebase article KB-2010-02 at

http://www.cyberlogic.com/cyberlogic/docs/knowledgebase/KB2010-02_Running_16-Bit_Applications.pdf

Transfer of Software Registration

Once Concept or ProWORX is installed in the XP Mode environment, you can re-register your application by calling Schneider Electric Services Help Desk  or you can transfer the registration file from your old PC to the XP Mode virtual environment.

Concept Registration Transfer
To Transfer Concept registration copy the file CONCEPT\AUTHORCC.DAT from the old Concept folder to the Concept folder in the XP Mode environment.

Should you experience difficulties reading the registration file, contact the Software Authorization help line  and re-register your software.

Released for:Schneider Electric Canada