Chart Plotting Software

yoda

yoda

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I have just been given a perfectly servicable Compac Presario 1234 laptop which is currently running Windows 98. 2 questions, first is there a resonably priced chart plotting software package that runs on windows 98 and secondly any idea if 98 will upgrade to 2000 on this computer. Many Thanks.

Yoda
 
Don't think so 266Mhz sounds a bit on the slow side! Stentec's WinGPS will happily run on '95 '98 ME 2000/NT or XP so why bother anyway? You can download a free version from their website (limited functions of course). Haven't got any experience with Fugawi, Ozi etc myself but they all seem to work fine with older laptops.
 
Should be able to update to any sytem software but 98 is much smaller than later systems and prtty efficient so if only using it for nav might be worth sticking with. Definatly found XP to be an imrovement on 2000 and more stable so if you do update I would look at XP or Vista. Only had a brief look at vista but seems good although still a bit new to have all the bugs ironed out and software versions available. Recommend looking at NavPak-Pro, available as a download, much cheaper than things like SeaPro. This is a proper ECIDS system that even alows sights to be directly plotted rather than just GPS position (if you dont want GPS its free - you only pay forth GPS link). Well worth a look and comes complete with Global set of Cmap charts at level A & B - good enough for passage making!
 
I have an old pentium II Toshiba which ran Win98 and Ozi very well. I upgraded to Win2000, which I find very good in terms of stability etc. but the machine became very slow due to lack of RAM for this system. Upgrading from 128 to the max of 256Mb, courtesy of e-bay, made a considerable improvement. Old laptops have the advantages of low value if damaged by onboard use, and usually have a serial port which makes GPS connection easy.
 
I agree with most of what has been said above, upgrading is probably not necessary, however if you are going to upgrade go for XP and NOT Vista, I believe that some charting software still has issues with Vista (others on this forum will correct me if I am wrong). Vista is a massive operating system that will grab a great deal of your RAM, this could even make a workable charting software system not work on your machine.

I use SOB www.digiboat.com.au with XP Professional OS, this works very well for me, finally to power your laptop get one of those converters designed for running laptops in cars or on aeroplanes, avoid an inverter because they are a greater drain on your system.
Good luck, George.
 
For information, current versions of C-Maps PC Planner and Neptunes C-Map planner both work with Vista. I was provided with free upgrades from both when I changed to Vista.
 
You can run C-Map CM93 ECS on that spec laptop, but will work better if you get as much ram as possible. I ran it on a 200MHz machine worked ok but refresh rate sucked for scale changes.
 
Thanks to all so far. Trying to get some more RAM but have uploaded SeaClear and now just need to get some charts and the GPS integrated. When youngest lad gets home from school perhaps I'll get my GPS back ..........................
Slowly slowly catcy monkey...

Yoda
 
Compaq makes it very difficult to upgrade - unless they do it for you and then they charge you squillions. Will you have enough space on your hard drive for any OS bigger than windows 98?
 
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I agree with most of what has been said above, upgrading is probably not necessary, however if you are going to upgrade go for XP and NOT Vista, I believe that some charting software still has issues with Vista (others on this forum will correct me if I am wrong). Vista is a massive operating system that will grab a great deal of your RAM, this could even make a workable charting software system not work on your machine.

For a wee pc like this, Vista most likely won't even run. I suspect that XP will slow the poor thing down to snails place. I'd try what you want under W98 and stick with it if it works. If you can come up with more memory at a sensible price, it'll make a big difference.
 
As others have already said it could be counter-productive to upgrade to XP as the OS overheads would probably slow down the PC too much.

You didn't say if you have W98 or W98SE. If you don't have the Second Edition version it might be worth upgrading to this. I think I have a Compaq OS Recovery CD somewhere with Windows 98SE upgrade on it. PM me if you need it.
 
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