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NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 3:51 am
by Coach
Installs and works fine without the need of a virtual machine. Just install and go.

When you start a vignette you will see two errors, one tells you that the onscreen calculator won't work and the other tells you that you won't be able to toggle between the vignette and the program. Also, you won't be able to use the tool tutorials. No big deal.

Re: Practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 11:09 pm
by rothko67
Which practice software are you referring to?

Re: Practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 8:33 am
by Coach
The ones downloaded from ncarb, what else is there?

I've only tried BS and SD so far.

Re: Practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 8:40 pm
by rothko67
Sorry, Coach. But, I assumed it was a CSE practice software, since this was in the CSE forum..

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:01 pm
by szuustka
I tried to download it for SD and it seems that I can not access the program screen. Is anyone else having issues?

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 4:08 am
by Coach
szuustka wrote:I tried to download it for SD and it seems that I can not access the program screen. Is anyone else having issues?

That's right. Toggle between practice software and study guide for program.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 6:35 am
by smoothquail208
I have used the practice software for every division with Windows 8.1. The only issues it has are annoying error messages and there is no real way to exit out of the program. Sometimes you have to CTRL_ALT_DEL to get out. Oh yes, and the program screen is non-existent across all.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 5:12 pm
by Coach
Exit program by clicking "review vignettes" twice, then "menu" and "exit".

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 12:22 pm
by Design intent
I have been able to use SD and SS with 8.1
They work fine, I just use the printed NCARB exam guide for the program. No issues.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 11:36 pm
by theRealrKitect
Hello Coach et all.

I had been lurking on the ARECoach forums for a while during my info gathering phase of exam prep. I began trying to get the practice exams on my windows 8 workstation at home when I came across this post. I was deep into the creation of an article I was writing on getting the practice software to work on Windows 8.1 when I saw Coach state that the software was working on 8.1. After spending time with the software and re-reading his post I realized that I will need to read the exam questions better than I did this post if I plan on passing. I realized that Coach mentioned the Common tools didn't work along with the calculator. I decided to test all Sections and came up with this list:


  • Common Tools: Does not work for any of the practice exams
  • Section Specific Tools:
    • Works:
      • Building Systems
      • Construction Documents & Services
      • Programming, Planning and Practice
      • Structural Systems
    • Doesn’t Work:
      • Building Design & Construction Systems
      • Schematic Design
      • Site Planning & Design
  • Practice Vignettes: All vignettes work
  • Calculator will not work on any of the vignettes

If anyone has any different experiences please let me know. Also, I wanted to share the article I put together for anyone wanting to get this working without errors in Windows 8. I will leave the link here but I understand if it needs to be removed, I won't be offended.
http://cre8ivethings.com/12/1682

Thanks to Coach and everyone who has put good information into this resource! Hope to have good news throughout the course of the year!

.Carl

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 2:37 pm
by Coach
theRealrKitect wrote:
  • Common Tools: Does not work for any of the practice exams
  • Section Specific Tools:
    • Works:
      • Building Systems
      • Construction Documents & Services
      • Programming, Planning and Practice
      • Structural Systems
    • Doesn’t Work:
      • Building Design & Construction Systems
      • Schematic Design
      • Site Planning & Design


Just to clarify, the above doesn't matter. Those are just the tool tutorials. The tools work properly for the practice vignettes.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 4:22 pm
by theRealrKitect
Coach, understood. It's either my ignorance to what is important during the exams or ignorance towards where else to become familiar with the tools in the exam software which made me think it is important to be able to look through the Common Tools and section specific tool tutorials. I also wasn't sure how important it is to have access to the calculator tool while practicing since I'm assuming that is the only calculator you'll have access to during the exams. Set me straight if that is not correct.

Thanks again,

.Carl

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 5:16 pm
by Coach
You can figure out the tools as you practice the vignettes. If you need a calculator, use the standard windows calculator.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 6:59 pm
by ry_vh@yahoo.com
Spacebar doesn't take you to the program. So far as I can tell there's no way to get to the program?

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 7:07 pm
by Coach
ry_vh@yahoo.com wrote:Spacebar doesn't take you to the program. So far as I can tell there's no way to get to the program?

Open the ncarb guide and alt-tab back and forth.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:59 pm
by kootenai
I have been trying to run the software in 64 bit Windows 7 with no luck. Will it work in 7 or should I upgrade to Windows 8.1 64 bit?
thanks
Eric

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 2:01 am
by Coach
It worked on my 64bit win7 machine too.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 8:58 am
by wangpengtju
Hello there, this could be a repeat question. If so, please be patient with it. I tried for times to download/run CDS practice program from:
http://www.ncarb.org/ARE/Preparing-for-the-ARE.aspx

It didn't works telling incompatibility with 64-bit versions of Windows. See attached screenshots. Any solution? Can anyone post a link to download it to work in 64-bit machine? I emailed to NCARB for times with feedbacks say they are working on it.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 2:46 pm
by Coach
wangpengtju wrote:It didn't works telling incompatibility with 64-bit versions of Windows. See attached screenshots. Any solution?


Read my top post again. That error message is just telling you that the calculator won't work. Just click OK and move on.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 11:23 am
by wangpengtju
I just tried clicking Ok. Yes, that's right. Thank you for the tip. Shall we read certain books before practicing on the program?

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:12 pm
by Coach
wangpengtju wrote: Shall we read certain books before practicing on the program?

No.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 5:58 pm
by lcosta
I get a black window when trying to access the CDS vignette, after I click 'Building Section' ... than thrown back at the previous window:
Capture.JPG

Installed on Windows 8.1.
Anyone else experiencing the same problem?

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 6:34 am
by lcosta
Coach...any clues?

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 2:09 pm
by Coach
If the black screen is the same size as the menu box that's normal, but, an error message should pop up, and you just click OK. If you're not seeing the error popup I don't know why. You can try fiddling with compatibility mode, like XP SP2.


Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 8:25 am
by RAsoon2b
does the program work if you pay the fee and download it form the NCARB site or is it not worth paying for?

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:55 am
by Coach
RAsoon2b wrote:does the program work if you pay the fee and download it form the NCARB site or is it not worth paying for?

The downloaded versions are free.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:31 pm
by Michelle
does alt 3.1 work on windows 8.1 64bt too?

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 9:52 am
by ddkately
Coach, is there a version for windows 7?? I would like to take the alternate practice exams. I plan on retaking the test soon.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 10:34 am
by Coach
Same one.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 1:13 pm
by sunflower429
So if my computer upgraded itself to Windows 10.... is it possible to use the 3.1 program? I downloaded it but can't get it to open. I tried "troubleshoot compatibility", and tested all of the options but it just won't open. Has anyone else had any success with this?? I'm taking PPP in a week (last test) and would love to practice the alternates!!

Thanks!

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:02 pm
by lali
Does the practice work on Windows 10?

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 6:34 pm
by professorcornbread
lali wrote:Does the practice work on Windows 10?

Not natively in Win 10. I believe you'll need to install the Windows XP virtual machine.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 8:04 am
by dryerase
There is no XP Mode in Windows 10. I was able to run the practice software with the same limitations that it had in Windows 7 64-bit, no calculator and no program/instructions by hitting space bar, it just stays locked in the drafting view. I would just keep a copy of whatever exam's NCARB study guide open that includes all the program information for each vignette before the passing and failing solutions, but granted that was a lot easier with dual screens. There's really no need to drop $10 a year on NCARB's virtual machine, even though that's a ridiculously low price!

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 11:47 am
by allinvail
Is there a vignette software for Macs? for the CDS building section? thank you! sorry if it is already posted somewhere . Testing in a week.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 4:55 pm
by Coach
allinvail wrote:Is there a vignette software for Macs? for the CDS building section? thank you! sorry if it is already posted somewhere . Testing in a week.

There has never been a native mac version.

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sun Jan 01, 2017 1:21 pm
by appletree
Up to my last two exams, and recently got a new laptop - windows 7, 64-bit. its great for everything, except NCARB practice!

I checked out the Frame cloud-based versions of 4.0 vignettes and I dont like it bc:
a) i need good internet access to make it work and i often study from locations without it (have kids = leave home to study)
b) cant work for 1 hour and leave program where i was up to...and come back the next day ,which is just part of my workflow, so i really need that option.

So, what is best choice, in people's experiences?

a) Install virtual machine (is this "uninstallable" after done with exams??)
b) Install the regular ones on windows 7 and deal with the errors (i dont care about calculator or program screen, but i read you cant exit wihtout doing ctl-alt-del? am worried about messing up a brand new machine with a program that isnt designed for it)
c) do the best to clean up my old slow laptop (running near-defunct XP) and if i can get the program to run on that....just go with that.

I am leaning towards C, if i can make it work. but if i cannot...from those who have BTDT, ,what is better, A or B?

Thanks and happy new year all!
-A

Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 4:51 pm
by Coach
appletree wrote:Up to my last two exams, and recently got a new laptop - windows 7, 64-bit. its great for everything, except NCARB practice!

I never had a problem running it on win7 64 machine. Exiting the program works normally. Review and exit.


Re: NCARB ARE practice software works on Windows 8.1

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 8:35 am
by fabio2331
Hi, Where can i find the original vignette program(info sheet). I just installed the software on window 10 but it doesn't show cause the compatibility thing.
Thanks

Thanks all of you!

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 2:05 am
by JanVurge
This post is a beacon of light in a dark world.

-

PostPosted: Tue Feb 27, 2024 6:04 pm
by VeronaNib
and i also found the Akai S5k/6k themes file for Mac Os9...I'm looking to try it out as soon as i got my USB card for my S5000 tomorrow hopefully

Here you go...