Unfortunately the only PC I own runs on Vista. Am I Screwed?

Wow,
With the amount of detail provided, I'm sure we can all pitch in and help! ;)

I'll take a wild guess and say you are trying to program a URC remote that uses Active Sync to communicate. Active Sync is not used in Vista so. . .

First you'll need to download and install the new Windows Mobile Device center software. It's really the latest version of Active Sync 5 (with a new name), and that's what you'll need for the active sync programmable remotes. I can't post the superlong url so you'll need to search microsoft.com for this string "Microsoft Windows Mobile Device Center 6 (32-bit)" that's the download you need.

2nd, I think you'll also need to access URC's beta for Vista software. I'm not sure how you'll manage that, but maybe Jeff will take pity on you and get you in the loop.

THANKS! But I did try to D/L Active Sync with no success but it may be the wrong version. If anyone can assist this Newbie it would be appreciated! Sorry for the lack of info!! I am trying to program an MX-3000

I was not aware that URC had a beta version of its editing software that will run on machines using Vista. Can anyone confirm this as being correct?

Wow,

What the heck is it about forums that brings out the negative in people.

So, after he installs Windows Mobile Device Center from the "superlong url" will his remotes that require Activesync (like the MX-950 and MX-3000) work? I'd be interested to hear this, as they don't work for me.

The real answer is that they don't, but you aren't screwed. URC is aware of this and is actively working on a solution. In the meantime, go ahead and install Windows Mobile Device Center, because that is very likely going to be required when they have it working.

Sean

I wasn't being negative, it's hard to help someone when they don't explain what they need help with and my mind reading skills aren't up the internet standards.

There is no offical word from URC, except "we are working on it" so I tried to help by guessing what the problem might be and the steps to attempt a fix.

If URC is working on it, then they should have some type of beta work around or device file to try. It doesn't hurt to ask and they will need someone to test outside the company, so why not ask em?

But make sure you've got MDC installed and working before you ask, as they won't have time to handhold a beta tester.

Can anyone tell me who "Jeff" is? Is he the keeper of the "key" to my problem?
Frankly I am so disappointed since I got this FANTASTIC remote and now I can't even TRY to screw it up with the wrong programming. Does ANYONE have any ideas? Can I rent a laptop anywhere?
THANKS!!

Perhaps you can pick up a copy of Windows XP and install on your computer as your operating system until URC releases a Vista compatible version of their editing software.

You could grab a good copy of XP and use a 3rd party utility (GRUB would be my choice) to setup a dual boot machine. This would let you choose between XP and Vista each time the machine is restarted. I think the latest version of GRUB is hosted on sourceforge for download.

All you need is a copy of XP with a valid installation code, as long as you finish your programming before the registration period expires (i think it's 45 days for XP SP2) you'll be fine.

Alternately, you could pay one of the guys on this board (proremotes, etc) to program it for you and save you the trouble.

BTW: Jeff is a trainer for URC and posts here sometimes.

I was gonna pay for programming but I am thinking of this remote as a "project". I figure it might actually be FUN to try to configure this remote and install the different templates. Is it POSSIBLE for this to be FUN?

I'm sorry, but telling someone to downgrade their OS just for the sake of one device, when the fact is that the new OS was available to the public (and therefore to URC) for software testing LAST SUMMER, is ridiculous and completely unhelpful. EVERY other device that interfaces with my computer was ready for Vista before launch, at launch or shortly thereafter...and most of them are ones I didn't spend almost a thousand dollars on. Are you going to tell me URC couldn't have done the same?

My suggestion was meant as a work around for him given URC's very poor response to solve this issue. I do not condone URC's failures with regard to Vista. In fact, I completely agree with you that URC's failure to have it's editor Vista-compatible by the time of Vista's official consumer release (late January 2007) is completely unexcusable. The fact that is was not Vista-compatible by the time of the business release of Vista in the late Fall of 2006 is equally unexcusable. URC has had plenty of opportunities to revise it's editing software to work with Vista. Now, here we are months later and still no solution by URC, not even any information from them as to when they will have a solution available. It leaves one very unimpressed with a company that should be on cutting edge.

I think installing XP is a fantastic idea. Why is this 'ridiculous and completely unhelpful'?

It allows the remote to be programmed - what's the problem?

Switching to a new operating system is never without problems. In time, everything will support Vista, but until then - you have to be flexible.

Somehow I have a feeling that downgrading to XP will serve a purpose for more than just URC software.....

You're going to tell a wealthy customer that in order to make a change to their remote, they need to downgrade their computer? Obviously they had their reasons for upgrading, be it Vista's security improvements, or just the fact that it's a new computer and that's what it came with. That kind of customer doesn't want to be told that they need to "be flexible", they want to be told the product works like the rest of their devices. Like I said, practically every other major device on the market has a solution in place, and for this expensive of a product not to have one as well -- when they had ample opportunity to develop one -- is poor support.