CoZmanager software and Vista

[Keezheekoni]

So, I can't seem to get my Cozmanager software to work in Vista. It comes up with a Runtime Error 75, Path/File Access Error. What the heck is up with that? I tried running it as the administrator and got this error:

The following fatal error has caused the program to shut down:
Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
frmPersonalize: Form_Activate

What the heck does that mean?

I was going to upload all of my pump info onto my new laptop, but I guess that won't be happening!

If anyone knows how to fix this, please let me know. I've googled, but only come up with specific software instances of this runtime error. Went to Microsoft's site and did the steps in the knowledge base and that didn't help either. :( I'm bummed.

[Funnygrl]

It means don't get Vista till SP2 ;)


Now hopefully someone will be able to help you.

[NoelD]

MM's software won't work on Vista yet either.

[Lloyd]

It means don't get Vista till SP2 ;)



I agree completely.

Vista is not designed to work with users. It is designed to work with beta testers. You may think you are a user, but if you have vista now you are a beta tester.

Why spend money testing a product when you can force people to buy it by having it be the only os available when people buy new computers from places like Dell? That way, you can take your time (years) fixing whatever people complain about most.

Big companies like Micro$oft have trouble releasing a working os every 5 years. It takes 4 years just to do the paperwork.

-Lloyd

[Tony]

MM's software won't work on Vista yet either.

Is this the solutions software?

[Keezheekoni]

Wow. So glad this turned into a Windows/Microsoft bashing thread... Everyone was entirely helpful. NOT!

[Funnygrl]

Wow. So glad this turned into a Windows/Microsoft bashing thread... Everyone was entirely helpful. NOT!
Sorry Rikki. It's very hard to be helpful when few of us have used Vista yet. Have you called Smith's? Scott, their IT guy, is very helpful.

[condensr]

Rikki, running it as Administrator is the way to go.

The error you experienced when attempting to run it as administrator was a null reference exception. Also, it appears as if the software was written in Visual Basic .Net. Not that any of that does you any good..

I'd bet that indeed what you are experiencing is a side effect of user access control, which is one of the features in Vista designed to keep unwanted programs (e.g. spyware) from running with administrator privledges.

When you installed the software, did you install it as administrator, or did you get a prompt with a sheild on the button asking if you'd like to install it as admin? If not, the first step I'd take is un-installing it and re-installing it as an admin.

If you just don't want to mess with all this, and would prefer not to bother with UAC at all (everything runs as admin, like XP) you can turn off user access control by going to control panel -> Security Center, and under Other Security settings you should see a link or button to turn off User Account Control. I don't necessarily recommend it, but if you have a firewall/router and did OK with XP, you should be OK. You can always go back and turn it on again later. If you choose this, uninstall the software first, turn off UAC, then re-install the software and try it then.

[condensr]

Oh, and a likely cause for problems like this is that the programmer is trying to store data/preferences/etc in a file located in the Program Files directory, or attempting to write to a registry key that is now more restricted/secure in Vista. It is not recommended going forward to store settings in the Program Files folder; rather use the AppData folder instead.

[NoelD]

Is this the solutions software?

Solutions software? Do you mean the Paradigm Pal?

I couldn't get that to work, nor the driver for the BD Infared USB Cable needed to sync with Carelink.

[zdooder]

Shayne,

Thanks for the info. We tried installing as administrator, and not, and running as administrator, and not. So far, the closest we've come is to set the properties on the app to run in compatibility mode as Windows 2000. This *almost* seems to work, except when trying to get the data from the pump we get an error (I'm not in front of the machine at the moment so forgive the vagueness) about modifying the state of the port only being supported in Windows 2000 SP3 and later. *sigh*.

I don't suppose there's any way to disable UAC for a particular application (or is that what "Run as administrator" effectively does)?

Is there any sort of tool you're aware of that we might be able to use to "spy" on the program to determine what file or registry keys it's trying to modify?

Troy

[zdooder]

It means don't get Vista till SP2 ;)
Now hopefully someone will be able to help you.

No, it means don't get a pump from a company that is so apathetic about their software that they can't test, or fix, it on platforms that have been available for more than a year.

On top of this, they just released a major pump upgrade without such simple software maintenance? It's unforgivable, and let's place the blame where it belongs, firmly with them.

Why spend money testing a product when you can force people to buy it by having it be the only os available when people buy new computers from places like Dell? That way, you can take your time (years) fixing whatever people complain about most.

Big companies like Micro$oft have trouble releasing a working os every 5 years. It takes 4 years just to do the paperwork.

And your alternative is .... ?

I dare you to name an operating system that is any better. Because you can't.

I'd also like to see your cite your sources for the claims that they don't "spend money testing a product", and that it takes 4 years to do "the paperwork". Because you can't. Troll.

Do me a favor and take your supremely unhelpful comments to another thread, or even better, another site completely.

Thanks,
Troy

[Funnygrl]

Whoa...chill. I was joking. Did you trying calling Smith's yet? Or are you just assuming they are apathetic? The fact the MM software won't operate on Vista either suggests that the fault lies not in the individual software. Vista is a new operating system, unfortunately, there is bound to be bumps in the road.

[NoelD]

Troy.... dude.... don't have a stroke man. :fight:

[Keezheekoni]

Whoa...chill. I was joking. Did you trying calling Smith's yet? Or are you just assuming they are apathetic? The fact the MM software won't operate on Vista either suggests that the fault lies not in the individual software. Vista is a new operating system, unfortunately, there is bound to be bumps in the road.
Yes, I did call Smiths. I talked to two supremely unhelpful people...unfortunately Scott wasn't available. The two I talked to told me all about how when an OS is released it's completely different coding from the previous yadda yadda. One person did say that they were having their tech "look into finding out about getting compatible with Vista". What chaps me about that is exactly what Troy said...they've had access to the developer's network version of Vista for a year, so why hasn't it been worked on already?

Now, I'm not idiot with computers, did tech support for a software company even, and know that Vista has been available to companies for at least a year so that they could time their releases to match that of Vista (and work out the kinks, etc.) For example, my husband's company only had to change the size of their desktop icon...everything else works seamlessly.

I do know that a lot of companies don't have the money to put out software that will work with newer versions of OSes, though usually there's a pretty well known work-around. I was just asking if anyone had tried any of the work-arounds that I may not have known about... (plus, Troy was on conference calls all day, so he wasn't able to help me like he normally would.)

Shane, thanks for the info. If you could answer what Troy asked, I'd be grateful. :)

[Funnygrl]

That stinks that it's not working. It must be fraustrating. Did you get your 1800 yet? Is that what you are trying to program? Hopefully Scott will call you back tomorrow. However, it's no secret Cozmanager sucks.

[Doug]

No, it means don't get a pump from a company that is so apathetic about their software that they can't test, or fix, it on platforms that have been available for more than a year.

On top of this, they just released a major pump upgrade without such simple software maintenance? It's unforgivable, and let's place the blame where it belongs, firmly with them.

Thanks,
Troy

Ease up ...

Compare this to Apples Itunes - - itunes makes apple BIG - MONSTER money every second of every day and they still dont have it working 100% with vista .. And don't forget that Apple is a SOFTWARE company ...

all the pump software I have seen looks like an after thought. Something that could be cobbled together by a half dozen developers in India in a month or less.

I bet there is a way to make cozmanager work with Vista - has anyone tested cozmanager 2 ?

If I had a vista PC handy I would test it but the only copy of vista I have is running in a Virtual Machine on XP so its not a fair test

[Keezheekoni]

Doug,

I'm just about it install Cozmanager 2 to see if it does work any better... Honestly, I could go through the trouble of setting up a virtual XP machine and use it that way, but that's just a PITA, you know?

FG, I wanted to get all of my 1700 readings into my system before plugging in my 1800, but it looks like that won't be working. The other problem is that if I want to customize the food database, I have to use the Cozmanager for that, not just the pump...so I do need the software to work.

I'll let you know what happens when I try installing version 2.

[Keezheekoni]

Same problems with v2. :( I'm really bummed. I guess we'll be setting up that virtual system afterall....that or I'll just steal my old laptop back from my 15 year-old! LOL Or, I'll take over Troy's work computer for a minute or two. Heh, I think the virtual system will be better.

[JasonJayhawk]

I could be mistaken, but I've seen software development jobs posted from Deltec a couple years ago, and it seems like they only hire on a per-contract basis (probably in another country!).

The people who did their software development probably aren't even on the same project anymore.

Purely speculation, but it explains why it takes so long to get "medical device" software released.

[condensr]

Apparently, marking the program 'run as administrator' is supposed to have that effect.

Here's a link on running programs with elevated permissions: http://4sysops.com/archives/vista%E2%80%99s-uac-8-ways-how-to-elevate-an-application-to-run-it-with-administrator-rights/

Even if you just turn off UAC temporarily to see if that is even the problem, it might be worth a go. I'll try downloading the cozmanager software and see if I can get it to at least start. (Don't have a cozmo, so I can't really download my pump.. :))

[condensr]

Well, Smith's doesn't make the Cozmanager software available for download, so sorry, but I couldn't give it a go myself. :(

[Keezheekoni]

Shane,

Don't suppose you want to have lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory (the one on Elliott) tomorrow? I could bring my laptop (we're meeting some relatives there) and the software CDs. :) Right now, I'm just using Troy's work PC to use the software. I'll let him know you replied here and we'll give it a go. :D Thanks again!

[zdooder]

Ease up ...

You're right, of course. To everyone, but especially to Funnygrl, if I came on too strong (and I think I probably did) I apologize. I get very frustrated when trying to deal with badly written software like this though -- especially when, as a software developer, I strive to write much much better software myself. I was really hoping that someone had figured out the solution and would be able to help us out.

Compare this to Apples Itunes - - itunes makes apple BIG - MONSTER money every second of every day and they still dont have it working 100% with vista .. And don't forget that Apple is a SOFTWARE company ...

I don't use iTunes, so I'll have to take your word for it, but all you've proven is that Apple doesn't care about Vista either. We could theorize about why all day long, but I'll note that #1) Apple is a direct competitor to Vista, and #2) There's a big difference between "working 100%" and "working enough that it doesn't take a big **** the moment you try to start it!" :)

all the pump software I have seen looks like an after thought. Something that could be cobbled together by a half dozen developers in India in a month or less.

No doubt this is part of the problem... of course, I would never consider shipping a critical application like this based on Visual Basic, but then I guess I'm a bit of a "purist" there.

Anyone want to get together and write some decent pump management software? ;-)

I bet there is a way to make cozmanager work with Vista - has anyone tested cozmanager 2 ?

If you can find a way, I'd love to hear it. I've about exhausted my store of knowledge -- I'm about tempted to try running something like Spy++ on it to try to determine what the problem is and whether perhaps something could be written to "wrap" CozMore so that it doesn't die... but this is pure speculation on my part that something like this is possible. :-(

Troy

[condensr]

Well, after some fiddling, I have had success in starting Cozmanager 2.0 in Vista, with UAC still turned on. The key seemed to be to use Windows 2000 compatibilty mode.

I saw a lot of potential pitfalls though -
-Program stores its access DBs in Program Files\Deltec\Cozmanager 2.0\, which is read-only in Vista, plus the permissions on the directory exclude plain users from writing to it. When Access DBs are opened, temporary files are usually created alonside the MDB files.
-Program uses .hlp files, which hearken back to Windows 3.1. Vista no longer includes WinHlp32 (used to view .hlp files), as it has not been updated in many years. The newer (but old by now) HTML/XML help formats should be used nowadays. You can still download WinHlp32 though if you really want. This won't stop the program from opening, however.

I don't know if communications will work - I can't tell that without an actual pump. Sadly though, I honestly doubt it looking at the way they load older controls for IRDa communications.


Not a dis on Cozmo at all, but this software could use some big updating it looks like. Updates like this cost money though, and whats more important, PC software, or free pump upgrades? I think putting money toward the upgrade program for pumps right now was a good choice.

Heck, I have not even tried to install Animas' software on Vista yet. We'll see how that goes...!

[Tony]

Solutions software? Do you mean the Paradigm Pal?

I couldn't get that to work, nor the driver for the BD Infared USB Cable needed to sync with Carelink.

Solutions software is like carelink. They don't market it any more since carelink has been running. The only updates they come out with is for pump upgrades.

[JediSkipdogg]

I don't use iTunes, so I'll have to take your word for it, but all you've proven is that Apple doesn't care about Vista either. We could theorize about why all day long, but I'll note that #1) Apple is a direct competitor to Vista, and #2) There's a big difference between "working 100%" and "working enough that it doesn't take a big **** the moment you try to start it!" :)

Not to start an argument but to state a comment....

Apple is a director competor to Microsoft...however...Apple needs Microsoft to support iTunes for iTunes to survive. Since that is 90% of their user market they lose a huge share. Apple is heavily working to get support on Vista.

For the church I do work for we have a huge piece of video editing equipment made by Pinnacycle Systems. We are still awaiting them to make a driver that operates in Vista. We bought a laptop to use this device on and now we have an expensive Dell collecting dust since it won't work at all on Vista. The drivers won't load at all and neither will the software it came with. So we still have to lug around a full desktop computer to our remote shoots.

Vista has been in development for ages. I would say at least 3 years as I was a beta tester for Longhorn back in early 2005 and I wasn't one of the first runs either. The problem Microsoft made was they didn't allow outside companies to make any drivers or software compatibility checks with thier Vista pre-release. So now alot of companies are in the crunch heavily working to get drivers out. That is one reason I haven't upgraded at all on my main machine because I can almost guarantee that my video card won't work with it (at least not to it's full potential.)

While I think Microsoft is an alright company...they lock too many people out and seem to be making it too hard to use their operating system. If you are telling me everyone has to log into their computer as admin and then backwards compatibility check software (which they did an entire news article here last week of at least 100 top name programs that are that way) then they are making it harder for the less computer savvy. Maybe if they just made IE better and more secure they wouldn't need to worry about locking everything from being installed on the system.

Now...everyone go ahead and bash me. And Rikki...good luck.

[condensr]

I would think further discussion like this should be moved to the Windows Vista thread in Chit-Chat.

[Doug]

well I fiddled with coz and coz2 in vista and as was already stated they both are so dependent on old technology Im not sure its worth attempting a hack to fix it

Cozmanager installed dotnet 1.1 and a bunch of other stuff that Vista didnt need and likely doesnt like.

Its almost easier to dload VMware server - which is free and load XP in a VM

Anyone want to get together and write some decent pump management software? ;-)

Troy

Ive been trying to incent one or our members here to devote some spare cycles to it but no luck so far...


I don't use iTunes, so I'll have to take your word for it, but all you've proven is that Apple doesn't care about Vista either. We could theorize about why all day long, but I'll note that #1) Apple is a direct competitor to Vista, and #2) There's a big difference between "working 100%" and "working enough that it doesn't take a big **** the moment you try to start it!" :)

No what ive proven is that a software company that is heavily financially incented to fix its software hasn't.
The fact that Apple is a competitor is invisible in the blinding glare of the millions of dollars that the windows users of itunes make for Apple. 1.5 billion songs have been sold. The figures were compiled from public statements by Apple. iTunes sold a billion songs just in the past 12 months.
90+% of them by Windows users. 1.5 billion * 10 cents a song is 150 million. 150 million reasons to work on the Windows versions of Itunes. Since pump and meter software makes ZERO money directly do you see the difference ?

[TigerDaddy]

My first post on this forum - found you guys looking for an answer to the Runtime error 75 with Cozmanager.

Probably a bit late for help now, but I ran into exactly the same problem with this software running as a restricted user on Windows XP. It certainly works on XP as an administrator.

The version on the CD is 37-0118-F.

I managed to make it run by allowing Full Access for the restricted user to the following areas:

Registry:
HKLM\Software\Deltec [and all lower levels]

Folders:
%programfiles%\Deltec [and all subdirectories]

File:
c:\TAERRLOG.TXT

It may be that Vista restricts access to those areas, but you may be able to tweak it. I don't have a need to run it on Vista, so can't offer any help there I'm sorry.

[jennacool]

Ok, perhaps I too am late here... but what the **** are you people t alking about.. If you are talking about the new paradigm link carelink thingy for your minimed 722.. just go to medtronic minimed site and go to carelink...if you have the carelink bluetooth thingy already.. just download the software from that site.. it worked fine for me.. on all my laptops. vista and xp.. I had no problems.. the only thing I had to do was use my internet explorer as opposed to mozilla firefox which the program does not seem compatible with.. other then that.. I have had no problem with any of the software.. hope it helps.. if not.. why not call mm themselves.. they are quite experienced in their software and can walk you thru the whole operation 24-7//////

[Keezheekoni]

Jenna, different pump and different software. If you'll notice the title is CozManager software and Vista. The CozManager is for the Deltec Cozmo pump, not the MM pumps.

I ended up switching to the MM after dealing with Cozmo for over a year of them telling me the updated software would come out "soon". I also wanted the CGMS. Now I use my MM and do use Carelink, but if you wanted to understand, that's where your confusion is.

To TigerDaddy: Sorry that fix won't work on Vista. However, I got an email about 2 weeks ago that they have the patch available so you can call and order the CD from them, if you ever do need to use the Cozmanager with Vista. :)

[TigerDaddy]

To TigerDaddy: Sorry that fix won't work on Vista. However, I got an email about 2 weeks ago that they have the patch available so you can call and order the CD from them, if you ever do need to use the Cozmanager with Vista. :)

No problem, it's good to know there is a patch available for those on Vista.

Cheers

TD

[Doug]

However, I got an email about 2 weeks ago that they have the patch available so you can call and order the CD from them, if you ever do need to use the Cozmanager with Vista. :)

I never understood how they could / would afford to send CDs rather than just post the files for download

Thay have done that for years