NM Gun Collector Software Windows Vista and Windows 7 Installation Instructions - NOTE:  this is for 32 bit systems only - NM Gun Collector will not run under 64 bit systems because Microsoft does not support a key Microsoft Database Component in 64 bit systems.

Due to new security policies enforced in Vista and Windows 7, Microsoft does not want your programs writing to the installation directory if it is in the Program Files folder.  Instead, Vista wants your program writing to your Documents directory.  To resolve this I will have to not only rewrite my program to accommodate this change but I will also have to write code to migrate current installs to the new installation paradigm as well so people who are already using NM Gun Collector on other operating systems don't lose their data. 

Here I outline two possible scenarios for the current NM Gun Collector under Vista and Windows 7.  The best is to avoid the problem when you install under Vista or Windows 7.  The second best is to fix it after installing it.  Please see below.

NOTE:  if User Account Control (UAC) is off you may not see any error messages - please make sure it is on at least for the install - you can turn it back off later if you want - by checking the following: 
  1. Start > Control Panel
  2. Select "User Accounts"
  3. Click "Turn User Account Control on or off"
  4. Ensure that it is on.

Best:  DO NOT Install to the Program Files Directory!  Install it to your Documents directory instead.  Here is how to do it:

During the installation you will be given an opportunity to choose your installation directory.  Simply change the installation path from "C:\Program Files\nmCollector\" to "C:\Users\<yourAccount>\Documents\nmCollector\" where <yourAccount> is your user name.  See screen capture below (remember to replace "cjpryor" with your account name):


 

Second Best:  You have already installed NM Gun Collector software and are trying to get it to work after the fact.

After installing NM Gun Collector Software on Vista or Windows 7 to the standard installation directory you get the following error (or, if UAC is off the splash screen will disappear and you will not see the following error message.):


Move (Do Not Copy) NM Gun Collector Software from "C:\Program Files\nmCollector\"  to "C:\Users\<yourAccount>\Documents\nmCollector\" where <yourAccount> is your user name.  You will have to change your shortcuts that point to the old location.  Always run from the new location only.

There are other options but I don't recommend them.  They are hit and miss.  I do not know why they work on some Vista and Windows 7 Systems but not others.