I have been using wildsoft for running my underground traverses, and others, for many years. I like how you can build the raw field data files, run reciprocals and build various "what if" scenarios. It runs on an old DOS computer and it fits very well with my clients wishes of keeping survey notes in a field book. Very old school, I know, but that is what I do.
My concern is that if my old DOS machine gives it up, I am not sure where to go next. I am curious to know if anyone else has found a good substitute for this software or if anyone who is really smart has figured out a way to make WILDSOFT run on windows 7?
Thank you
Have you tried running it in a DOS shell in Win 7? You'd be surprised at what will still run in Win 7.
It ran better in windows XP than it did in DOS. I wish I had a computer that it would run on. My current computer does not have a floppy drive for the key disk, much less a 5.25 floppy drive.
Steve,
Was it CDMSS or LARK that we last used WildSoft? ETAS topo or the Unicorn project. 20 years ago?
DDSM
It depends upon the size of the program.
I am running Carlson Surveyor 1 DOS program copied into a file on C drive from the Command Prompt on a Windows XP.
It should work on any version that has a Command Prompt.
The biggest thing is to apply the settings for the DOS speed program to print on the new printers.
0.02
Wow, I haven't used it for almost 20 years!
A groundbreaking and bulletproof program in it's day.
I have no specific advice on running it today, but I have had good success with DosBox:
It seems to digest any old dos program I can throw at it but I have not tried WildSoft. I have no idea how it would handle the keydisk issue, if your version still has that requirement.
WILDsoft runs in the XP mode of WIN7 Professional 64 bit version, I have it open as I type this. It only runs in a window however, not full screen, otherwise I think it is fully functional, of course the input/output stuff may be a bit crippled, not sure, but you can sure enough do computations.
SHG
My computer geek tried to load wildsoft in XP but thought that it couldn't be done. How did you install it? I guess one would have to have a 5 1/4" drive in order to do it?
Thank you,
Peter
V 1.65 (last one made AFAIK), DID NOT require a key disk, so no floppy drive is needed.
Other than that I think the only thing I did was mod the config.sys file by adding the following:
dos=high, umb
device=%SystemRoot%system32himem.sys
FILES=30
I know I had to add those lines for standalone XP box, not sure if I did that in the XP mode of WIN7 or not, I got this going about three years ago in WIN7 and can't remember all that was involved.
In a standalone XP box, I could run full screen, you can only run in small window in the XP mode in WIN7, something about a video error, still it seems to be fully functional otherwise.
SHG
I don't see not having a 5.25 floppy drive as an issue:
Win xp might be more of an issue (if the program won't run as suggested under win7), but some of us still have old xp machines around....
I bought a USB 3.25 floppy drive from J & R or someone for about 25 bucks. Cheap and
they are available
And as I posted above, external 5.25 usb drives are available, the one I saw was about $16
I'm having trouble finding a 5.25" drive in that link. Everything seems to be 3.5"
Henry
My mistake, wasn't paying close attention....
Getting an internal 5.25" drive does not seem to be an option, I read that motherboard support for internal 3.25" & 5.25" disks no longer exists.....
Find someone who is willing to part with a decrepit old machine for a rock bottom price.... 😛
I want to thank you all for your comments, especially about the changes to the config.sys file. I am now able to run wildsoft on my 64bit windows 7 PC and laptop using XP virtual. On another note, I am still able to transfer data from my old HP86 to the old DOS PC (using wild transfer program) and then load it into my current system. I don't use it often but I am amazed that I am still able to access the data on those old 3.5" and 5.25" floppies and then transfer them.
eppassoc, post: 237267, member: 6117 wrote: I have been using wildsoft for running my underground traverses, and others, for many years. I like how you can build the raw field data files, run reciprocals and build various "what if" scenarios. It runs on an old DOS computer and it fits very well with my clients wishes of keeping survey notes in a field book. Very old school, I know, but that is what I do.
My concern is that if my old DOS machine gives it up, I am not sure where to go next. I am curious to know if anyone else has found a good substitute for this software or if anyone who is really smart has figured out a way to make WILDSOFT run on windows 7?
Thank you
We still use wildsoft along with acad r12 on dos boxes for the very reasons you listed. I want to decide the importance of specific control monuments and raw data. Wildsoft does exactly waht we need without all the extra fluff. We have always worked out of our field notebooks. Lead and paper is best.
As for your question. We had our harddrives cloned and bought extra 386 boxes. if theres a problem, i can swap hd's or just plug in another complete box and continue on. No real other choice for us old school cadastral surveyors.
Stanley R Cook, post: 380192, member: 11895 wrote: We still use wildsoft along with acad r12 on dos boxes for the very reasons you listed. I want to decide the importance of specific control monuments and raw data. Wildsoft does exactly waht we need without all the extra fluff. We have always worked out of our field notebooks. Lead and paper is best.
As for your question. We had our harddrives cloned and bought extra 386 boxes. if theres a problem, i can swap hd's or just plug in another complete box and continue on. No real other choice for us old school cadastral surveyors.
We never could get wildsoft to connect to acad in a windows dos window. i can cacl curves and such so that handy but it is a stand alone situation.
sorry guys, I know you want to stick with something that you are comfortable with but DOS is dead, a long time ago.
I am sure that whatever routine you need are available in newer software. not necessarily on win8, maybe winxp or even win2000.
whatever ease of operations you get out of these old dos softwares, you lose with all the translations, import, export to your ts,gps equipments. not to mention finding a new guy to operate a dos box.
