How should I run WattPlot under Windows Vista or Windows 7?
Microsoft has added improved user security throughout the development of the Windows operating system. These features have been added since the 1990’s with the development of the Windows NT operating system, which is the foundation for Windows 2000, XP, Vista and now Windows 7. These are not "new" features, but the ongoing development of enhanced user security that started in 1993.
The greenMonitor Renewable Energy System monitoring software from greenHouse Computers is designed to work with operating system security and not against it. There is no need to execute the greenMonitor software on a separate hard drive, and provided it is properly installed and the system is configured so that a non-administrative user can create network services, the greenMonitor software does not need to be executed in "Adminstrator" mode.
The greenMonitor Renewable Energy System monitoring software is installed using the industry-standard InstallShield installer, which is able to work with modern Microsoft operating systems. WattPlot is still using an install from Windows 95 or Windows Me, and that’s why they have so many problems.
Windows 7 and Windows Vista have some new ‘security’ which is problematic with the WattPlot software. For some ridiculous reason, these new platforms do not always allow programs to create folders, which WattPlot needs to be able to do (at least on the first run) to store device-specific data. This issue is easily resolved: 1. Logon to Windows 7 or Vista on an Administrator-level account in order to install and run WattPlot (at least when first configuring the system). 2. (Optional) If you have a secondary (D:\) hard drive, it might be easier to install WattPlot on that drive, since the security restrictions appear to be more relaxed than on your C:\ drive. 3. Run WattPlot in XP-compatible mode. This can be set by right-clicking on the WattPlot.exe application (in Windows Explorer), selecting “Properties” from the menu”, selecting the Compatibility tab, and then choosing Windows XP (Service Pack 2).
