Windows7/8/8.1 Compatibility for ED-IT PC

Summary

ED-IT PC can be run on some versions of Windows7 (and up), if you work at it.  ED-IT PC is considered obsolete software and we do not support it, on any platform, especially Windows7 or higher. On Windows7 you must install the "XP Compatibility Mode" (XPM) software which creates a virtual machine that runs a copy of WindowsXP.  Only certain versions of Windows7/8/8.1 can run XPM and only certain computers can run XPM.  The issue is complex and we cannot explain all the elements, because such an explanation would be long and very technical.  If you want to run ED-IT PC on Windows7 or higher you are advised to seek professional expertise to configure your system to make it work. We will not supply that expertise.

Simplified requirements

Some (but not all) of the factors involved in running ED-IT PC on Windows7 are these:

1. ED-IT PC runs on Windows7 only via XP Compatibility Mode (XPM)

2. XPM is not shipped with Windows7; you must download it from the Microsoft Web site and install it

3. XPM cannot be installed on Windows7 Home Premium; you must have Windows7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate

4. XPM runs only on computers whose processor chip supports "hardware virtualization"; Microsoft offers a downloadable tool that can tell you if your computer has this feature or not (if not, you have to buy a new computer, there is no workaround)

5. ED-IT PC is installed from 3.5" floppy disks; modern computers do not have diskette drives; a USB diskette drive could be used

What you get, if you make it work

If you properly configure XPM and install ED-IT PC, you can have an ED-IT PC icon on your Windows7 Desktop that will launch ED-IT PC with full function (your new computer must still have a keyboard that can handle six-key inputs).  Some of the time, starting ED-IT PC takes several minutes if the virtual WindowsXP system has to boot-up, but once that has been done, ED-IT PC restarts fairly rapidly.  There may be occasions when the virtual computer subsystem needs configuring or gets into an unusual state, and it is not always easy to deal with such issues (due to the added complexity of virtual computer software and having a whole copy of WindowsXP running on top of Windows7).  We have ED-IT PC running on Windows7 Professional 64-bits.  It is usable.  I would hesitate to recommend this configuration for the computer novice.  You are urged to consult a computer professional for advice and assistance.

Background Information: The problem with ED-IT PC (hint: it's too old)

This section is optional reading.  We will explain the issues and give you insight as to the complexity of running ED-IT PC on Windows7.

ED-IT PC was created in 1993 for Windows 3.1.  At that time, PC processor chips were of the 16-bit variety, and thus ED-IT PC is a so-called 16-bit program.  In 1995, Intel introduced the 80385 processor which was a 32-bit chip, and Microsoft introduced Windows95.  All 32-bit chips have the ability to emulate an old 16-bit processor, assuming you have software to control that function.  On Windows95 through WindowsVISTA, Windows has contained a subsystem called "Windows on Windows (WOW)" (I'm not making this up!) that can switch the processor in and out of its 16-bit mode in order to let 16-bit programs operate.  ED-IT PC has required the WOW subsystem all these years.

Starting in 2005, Intel and AMD introduced 64-bit processor chips.  There are now three mutually incompatible program types: 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit.  All 64-bit chips have the ability to emulate a 32-bit processor, and 64-bit versions of Windows contain a subsystem called "Windows on  Windows 64 (WOW64)" that can switch the processor into its 32-bit mode for running 32-bit programs.  In this way 32-bit software, such as Braille2000, can operate on 64-bit versions of Windows.  Note too that all 64-bit processors power up in their 32-bit mode and this allows 64-bit systems to boot 32-bit Windows.  If you install 32-bit Windows on a 64-bit computer, it acts like a 32-bit system and you don't use WOW64. Note that 64-bit versions of Windows do not contain WOW, i.e., they have no way to run 16-bit programs.

Starting with Windows7, WOW is not available.  That is why Windows7 cannot run 16-bit programs, at least not directly.  However some versions of Windows7 allow for the installation of "XP Compatibility Mode (XPM)" which results in the creation of a virtual computer that runs 32-bit WindowsXP (even on a 64-bit processor under 64-bit Windows7) and is controlled by and subordinate to Windows7.  With XPM you can install legacy software on WindowsXP, where WOW still exists and can run 16-bit programs.  Thus ED-IT PC can run under XPM on Windows7.