old Nanoscope software problem

Peter posted on Tue, Nov 15 2011 10:24 AM

rated by 0 users

Dear Group Members,

We have an older Nanoscope multimode in our lab: Nanoscope E controller, connected to a Windows NT (4.0) PC running software version 4.43r8
I am hoping that some of you can help me with the following problem:

Recently I had to reset the BIOS chip on the computer motherboard, because the system would not boot.  I also went ahead and upgraded the BIOS firmware at the same time and changed a depleted BIOS battery. Now the PC will boot into Windows NT, but the Nanoscope software installed will not run in online mode. I can only use it to access our measurements, but cannot control the microscope.

I thought that the Nanoscope software has some kind of hardware key and because I changed the BIOS firmware, the software no longer recognizes the PC hardware. I am not sure if this assumption is correct. However, I went ahead and downgraded the BIOS firmware, but the NS software still wouldn’t run in online mode. I tried reinstalling the NS software from backup binaries, but that didn’t work either.

The fault may be due to the lack of some driver, because I get an error message after logging into Win NT: “At least one service or driver failed during system startup”.

I haven’t tried reinstalling Win NT yet.

Would it be possible to install the 4.43r8 software and PCI cards on a newer computer?

Sorry for the lengthy question, but I’m hoping someone has an idea on how to move on.

Thanks,
Peter