In my previous Post # 15 the last line is meant to read: "...but now in light of your experience that seems to be nothing to worry about."
Just a heads up, while Windows 10 is pretty awesome, you cannot disable automatic updates. So if you were to use it as the main automation computer, don't be surprised to wake up to your station off the air.
That being said, my part 15 stations run on aging Windows XP machines and the full power runs on a pretty beefy Win 7.
The automatic updates and the rest of the spying presets can be turned off by install this program "DoNotSpy10-1.0.0.2-Setup" downloadable from http://pxc-coding.com/portfolio/donotspy10/ . Download the ad supported download and do a custom install unticking all the extra software. After you install tick all the options in the program, Ive installed the program on all the pc's Ive upgraded and it does work.
My first search for refurbished computers in my area turned up a few places in far outlying districts, nothing close, and I am suspicious of computer places that list no street address, which is very common.
Unexpectedly I noted that Walmart offers refurbished computers. That could either be the deal of a lifetime or the mistake of a lifetime. They have a flippy reputation.
Most big box stores offer reconditioned computers, but you usually have to purchase online. You can then get them delivered to the store of your choice and pick it up there. The nice thing about buying from a big store is that their return policies are pretty good compared to the little guys.
I've had good luck with the refurbished computers from NewEgg.
"Zara Radio report on Windows 10". Zara works with only 1 small problem so far which is no biggie. Normerly when you click on the Programs tab in Zara you can get to the Todays Log & the Log Folder. These have disappered from 2 of my pc's running win 10, but not on 1 other. Not a big problem as all playlists ,events and options work as normal. A log is still generated, you just have to go to that folder in windows instead.
Not sure if you noticed, but there are two options for windows update. (Automatic - Recommended) and (Notify To Schedule Restart.)
Look for (Advanced) click it!
Choose "Notify To Schedule Restart" in the drop down menu and you're good to go!
Bruce.
Upgraded the wife's laptop from 7 to 10. It took 3 tries over a period of a couple days.
Finally got a working copy going but a day later she advised the "start" button quit working. Yep, sure did.
Checking forums and such the recommended procedure is to do a "PC reset" which sounds simple enough. NOT!
The "start" button works again and the machine seems much quicker but the "reset" removed all of the user installed programs. Fortunately all of the user data files such as documents and photos were left intact.
Short story- "PC reset" restores Windows 10 but deletes all of the user installed programs.
So now a reevaluation of which user installed programs need to be reinstalled. At least the "reset" left behind a list of all the programs that were deleted.
Vista was nothing but trouble for me when I had a laptop from HP that had vista. I also had a Dell desktop that had vista. For Radio station use its a nightmare. SAM Broadcaster would have issues with Vista. NextKast was not developed at that time so I don't know what NextKast would do for VISTA but a lot of my DvD programs had issues with it too. Its very slow even compared to XP and is a serious memory hog. Id use Windows 7. I love Windows 7 almost as much as I did XP back in the day and the Radio station software works Rock Solid in 7. In fact even better than Windows 8. I didn't upgrade to 8.1 because of the driver issues and I use Classic Shell anyway to make my Windows 8 look like 7. The tiles is a stupid idea in my opinion unless you want to run a touch tablet or one of those Tablet/Laptops in which in tablet mode yes tht may be the way to go to easily tap an app. But for Radio the old Desktop mode works great and I can get to what I need fast. I really don't see a reason to go to Windows 10 as Audacity and Mp3 joining programs are a must for Album Rock stations to get the two songs that are supposed to run smoothly together like on the vinyl.
Updating Zara Radio with Windows 10.
The menu problem was fixed by a simple reinstall of Zara. Zara is now working as it should with no more problems. The On-Air pc has now been running for 4 days nonstop with no problems.
Today at 1 PM CDT I closed all broadcast activities and powered down.
The computer was opened and accessible locations were cleaned of the dust clusters that had built up in there over time, fan operation was verified.
I am planning a deeper cleaning (soon) to involve removing, cleaning, and re-inserting all memory and cards.
Yesterday the computer froze for the third time in recent weeks, but re-booted properly.
Rich, have you made any observations with your operating systems in regard to audio functions?
Mighty 1650, NewEgg sounds like a very good place to look for a refurbished unit.
Right now I am running with all externals disconnected.
One thought that comes to mind is that the three system freezes occured since adding a second C.Crane FM Transmitter close to the computer.
My computer does not freeze up when I run the SainSonic AX-05B less than 4 inches from the Laptop on top of my desk. I'd have thought that the C. Crane would be a cleaner transmitter than the SainSonic, but won'tknow till Tim does more tests. I'd like to see a test of the SainSonic on box power first -48dbm and the Hi power mode and see what the readings are on the Patomac. Plus if he has a spectrum analyzer what that looks like. Even at legal power I don't want to see harmonics and spurs all over the spectrum where they should not be and since so far these FM Transmitters have been getting some bad reputation for junk in the spectrum its anyone's guess till the transmitters are tested. The Whole House 3 could be tamed down with pads or by cutting the wire shorter that comes with it but if there is spurs and harmonic junk the best corse of action would be to return the transmitter back.
Rich, having posted your satisfaction with virtually all the Windows operating systems I have more recently asked whether you have utilized the audio features on all of these systems?
Perhaps my question went unnoticed.
Thank you.
Vista is really bad. Stay clear of it. If someone gives me a computer with Vista and its not powerful enough for Windows 7 best advice is to find out if they ever made that same model with XP. If so Download all the XP drivers for Audio, Video, Chipset, HDD controlers and Downgrade to XP. Windows 7 works well only the really old Audio hardware won't work. Worse case buy a USB sound card as I'm sure most are plug and play these days. Turtle Beach is one. I bought one off of Amazon and it even worked in 8.0. Most folks don't realize that when hardware is but so old you won't find new drivers for it after x amount of years. So you always need the newest Audio Video cards. Audio is easy just buy a USB sound card if your strapped for cash. $20 will get you some nice ones. Best of luck.