[PAULH]

hi guys i know you will be able to help me again what is the minimum specification of a laptop to get the rms software running ok i am gonna pick one up from ebay and would like the lowest spec possible to avoid paying over the odds as all i want it for is running the above software

 

[LMP]

As long as its got a COM port you should be ok, its a pretty basic programme.

 

[Tropi]

Not quite so basic - official spec from Scalextric here.
QUOTE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
Pentium II 400MHz or equivalent, 32Mb Ram, 100Mb or free disk space, 16 bit colour 800x600 graphics card, 24 x CD-Rom drive, COM port, Windows 95 /98.

Lots of older lap-tops don't meet this requirement.

 

[mtucker666]

I run mine no prob on a PII 233mhz with windows 98

 

[andy]

since it uses a comp port you may have trouble running it on new computers as they will have USB instead

 

[Doug]

I use a Serial to USB converter.

Works fine.

 

[Tropi]

QUOTE I run mine no prob on a PII 233mhz with windows 98
Matt, I just quoted the official info from the Scalextric site, but I think several people would bear out what you say. I wonder could you perhaps confirm whether the usability is slowed or reduced in any way? Perhaps one or two aspects might not be fully implemented with a lesser spec?

It could be that Scalextric are recommending a little higher than strictly necessary to ensure some PC performance 'headroom' for PCs that are not dedicated exclusively to the RMS function, but are used for other purposes too.

If a lesser spec computer CAN in fact handle it in full, it would be well worthwhile publicising it. But we need to be careful for Paulh's sake, who might procure a laptop that can't quite manage the job, which would be a sad disappointment!

 

[andy]

i never recomend running a program on a computer with a lower spec then the recomended. you might not notice it but it could upset the times it records. and the price difference in buying a laptop with 500 MHz and 200MHz won't be worth the bother of finding out if you can or can't. if you are running a low spec computer run windows 98/95 as this would help. you could also set up the port that is handling the RMS to have a higher prority then windows would set as standard, though if you're unsure about that kind of thing don't mess about with it

 

[mtucker666]

The video at the start is a bit twitchy but I've only ever seen it once - the only issue is I presume it takes that bit longer for the menus to change over but I've had no problem with any of the functionality.

Matt

 

[LMP]

QUOTE (Nuro @ 22 May 2004, 16:17)I use a Serial to USB converter.

Works fine.
I tried using one o them and the software wouldnt recognise it.

 

[PAULH]

cheers guys you have as always been very helpfull

 

[Doug]

QUOTE (LMP04 @ 22 May 2004, 21:58)I tried using one o them and the software wouldnt recognise it.
The one I use just emulates the Serial port so anything attached to the port works with the computer. I've tried it on Windows 2000 and also XP and both work fine.

 

[andreg]

QUOTE It could be that Scalextric are recommending a little higher than strictly necessary to ensure some PC performance 'headroom' for PCs that are not dedicated exclusively to the RMS function, but are used for other purposes too.
In my experience this is very common. Software companies seem to state a higher spec than needed to be 100% sure the hardware is sufficient.