Upgrading to version 1.2
Posted by royratcliffe, Tue Sep 01 18:23:00 UTC 2009
Brother Faulk has asked some very good questions. The answers should help existing users. So I’ve given them a page of their own to make them clear and easy to find. My answers have two forms: the quick version first, followed by the long version if you care about the details.
Will the user need to uninstall the old Watchtower Library for Mac?
No.
The new Watchtower Framework replaces the old one. The new application replaces the old one too. The framework lives at /Library/Frameworks/Watchtower.framework; the new framework overwrites at this location on your Macintosh system hard drive. The new application overwrites the old at /Applications. Though, in fact, you can store the application anywhere and have multiple versions if you really want to, but I don’t recommend that.
Will users need the official Watchtower library disks when upgrading?
No.
Once installed, you do not need to reinstall libraries when upgrading. The new software will update and reuse any libraries already installed. Individual libraries install under Library/Application Support/Watchtower Library relative to the user’s home directory. Upgrading does not delete this. Your libraries, research favourites and other settings remain!
What order should users install X11?
Any order.
X11 installation only applies to Leopard 10.5!
Provided you do not launch the application, order does not matter. Please make sure you are not running the application when installing however.
Does Watchtower Library for Mac conflict with CrossOver?
No.
You can run both, even at the same time! No conflicts. Both Watchtower Library for Mac and CrossOver essentially work the same way. Both rely on Wine and X11. However, exactly how they get there differs. Watchtower Library for Mac uses standard X11 as used by Apple; puts the fixed-location Unix-based Wine software in a framework at /Library/Frameworks and places the floating application code in a standard Mac application bundle. The virtual Windows sub-system lives under Application Support. This layout entirely avoids clashing with CrossOver (by design).
What if the library set-up program fails to launch automatically?
Instead, drag Setup.exe to the dock icon.
Open the CD-ROM directory. You will see an executable file called Setup.exe. Drag this to Watchtower Library for Mac’s icon on the dock. This is the manual way to launch programs. Automatic launching relies on seeing a genuine CD, not a copy!
Any problems running on Snow Leopard, or Leopard?
No.
The software runs on Snow Leopard and Leopard, OS X versions 10.5 and 10.6! But not 10.4 (Tiger). The software build machine runs Snow Leopard, building against the 10.5 development kit. That means you need 10.5 at least.
If you are running on Tiger (10.4) on an Intel-based machine, I recommend upgrading your operating system. If running on a PowerPC-based machine, unfortunately there is currently no working solution to running Watchtower library programs on your Mac because you need a processor chip compatible with Windows machines, the old Intel386. PowerPC processors have hardware incompatibility with Intel processors and have no software readily available to emulate a 386.
Conclusion
I hope that answers some of the important questions when upgrading. Please feel free to post more questions below. I’ll do my best to answer them.
Click
I run Snow Leopard 10.6 and WT Library disc files doesn’t load.
Dear Chris, There have been a few reports of Setup.exe failing to automatically load and run in the past with previous versions. Could you try opening the CD-ROM directory, finding
Setup.exeand then dragging this to the Watchtower Library for Mac dock icon. It should then launch the setup program for you.Thanks Roy,
It works now
Any problems when running MAC OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard)?
Roy, I just noticed that the X Quartz “X11” package says that “You will need to re-install this package after future OS, and Security Updates delivered through Apple’s Software Update. Additionally, you should reinstall this package after installing XCode.” This quote is from the download page you link to. Any comments on this… will users need to do this x11 install again in the future after doing a software update?
Dear Roy
How do I upgrade my w.t. Library to version 1.2?
Thank you Tiem
Dear Tracy, I’ve tried to provide a full explaination here. Not sure I’m entirely succinct. The simple answer is no in both scenarios: Leopard, or Snow Leopard but for different reasons.
Dear Tiem, You need to follow the instructions here. It involves (1) downloading a package; (2) double-clicking to install a Framework package; and finally (3) dragging an application to your computer’s Applications folder. You then run the app.
Roy, Just a quick note regarding a possible conflict with crossovers If users have crossovers version 7.1.0 or older they will need to upgrade to a newer version. If they install x11 with an older version of crossovers the application will open and then immediately close. The crossovers support team notes “XQuartz 2.3.3.2 changed a component (quartz-wm) on which CrossOver relies such that it doesn’t work. We released CrossOver 7.1.2 back in May to address this incompatibility. Of course, we’ve also released CrossOver 8 since then, too.” I installed the latest version of crossovers (8.0) and your latest package on the same machine with no conflicts or problems. However, as noted is a user has version 7.1.0 or older there will be a conflict – not with your package, but rather with x11. I’d suggest installing x11 on leopard 10.5 machines and also upgrading your crossovers (free download for registered users with a valid serial number) plus you don’t need to re-install any crossovers apps you may be running. I have your package of wtlib and the crossovers install of wtlib running side by side with no problems (on leopard 10.5) after I upgraded the crossovers version. – Thanks and hope this helps! PS: Despite my first name, I am a brother (not a sister) – no worries :>)
That hurt… I just installed the new upgrade… and its asking for the watchtower cd… which would not be a problem if I did not just move and I can not find the disk… just thought I would let you know… because I thought it said you would not have to reinstall.. now I have to hunt down a disk… man.. I hope this upgrade is GREAT!!! I did check the library folder and the WTL is there… I guess it just is not recognizing it… is there a way to get this working or do I just need to stay on the hunt?? Thanks for all the work…
Dear Staci, Please note that you only need to re-install the library if you are adding it to a new account. If you installed it for account
stacifor instance, upgrading will retain the installed libraries. Only if you add a new account on the same computer will you need to re-install just for the new account.However, if you really cannot find the original CD there may be a workaround. Copy the virtual Windows system with all its installed components to the new account. Just copy directory contents from
Library/Application Support/Watchtower Libraryto the same place in your new account. Though I haven’t tested that fix out yet, I think you might find that it works.Thanks.. but I actually installed it in the exact same account… I was using the library previous to the install so I know that it was there… then once the download and install of the update finished… I got the original window… that says this window will display if there is no watchtower library disk… I did look in finder… and I can actually see that the files are still there… but obviously its not being recognized… I have both the old and new version sitting in my dock.. with neither of them opening the library…. Im still tracking down a copy.. hopefully.. I will get one by the end of the night… if I do not have it fixed by the end of the weekend… then I will try the work around… and if I do.. I will let you know how it worked out!
Having a problem similar to Chris Watts, only when I drag the setup.exe to the dock icon, it still does not load the onscreen instructions? Has this happened to anyone else. Operating brand new macbook pro vs. 10.6 OS x
Ok.. I think I may know what the issue is with mine… I have two WT folders… one that says WT and one that says WT-1 11-10-20.. I think I just want to start from scratch now… Is there an easy way to uninstall both versions?
ok. that seemed to work. I deleted the other wt library… I tried dragging the file to the other library.. but it did not work until reinstalled… seems to be working fine. thanks again!
Dear Staci, You need to call the application by the same name, i.e. “Watchtower Library”. If you have two copies, with different names, they have two separate virtual Windows systems. Best just to have the one.
Dear John, Could you check the Console log. You should be able to see some messages appearing which will help to identify the source of your problem.
I think what your doing is such a blessing. Just another avenue of our service to Jah. I am having some consistent problems with this app. 1- I RUN SNOW LEOPARD and I cannot get the Watchtower Library to startup, and when I click and drag setup.exe but that doesnt even work. Im not the brightest especially since IM new to Macs. My second issue is I mistakenly downloaded the v1.1 and I cant get it to close therefore I cant delete it. I wonder if this is effecting v1.2 from downloading and or working properly. Any help from anyone would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Jared, Should be no problem upgrading between 1.1 and 1.2. Could you check your log messages. Open
/Applications/Utilitieson your system hard drive; select Go > Utilities from the Finder menu. You’ll find a little tool calledConsole. You can see messages appearing here from various pieces of software running on your computer. Try to launchSetup.exeand note the messages from Watchtower Library for Mac. The answer should provide some idea about what is and isn’t happening.I see multiple lines in the registry, to much to send through this post. Could I email a copy of the console to you? I Think maybe I should have a previous version. I am having the same problem Jared is having. I will watch your instructions to him for now and learn. I know this takes alot of your time, it is appreaciated by me and seems everyone else as well. John Borgmeier from the Southern Indiana, USA area.
Best thing is to open a new issue at the development site. You can upload screenshots, files, etc. You will need to register and log in.
Hi, After installation on a MacBook Pro (Snow Leopard), it seems that it fails using the Greek input source : although greek characters are displayed correctly on the apps menus etc, when typing a request like “I??????” (=John), doesn’t accept all characters typed. It seems that half of the keyboard is supported while the rest of it doesn’t. Any ideas ? Thank you in advance. Kind regards, Dimitrios Alexandris Athens – Greece
Hi, I really appreciate this great app but I’m a new mac owner and tried to install the upgrade but now I get the message’application quit unexpectedly aftre it was relaunched’ I have no idea what I’ve done and now feeling very lost without my WL. Please can you help me back on the right track
Roy I cannot get to first base. When I downloaded the WT icon, nothing happens, at least not as per your instructions. I inserted the download into my applications folder and still nothing happens. My first try some time ago went great. But then it quit working. I upgraded to Snow Leopard and now nothing. Must I go back to Windows? What am I doing wrong? I have the ability and the license to teach people how to fly multi-engine aircraft, but somehow not enough knowledge to follow simple instructions. Thanks in advance, Richard
Dear Dimitrios, I think I fixed the Greek keyboard issues starting at version 1.2.5; the latest version is 1.3. Have you tried this new version?
Lori, Could you try version 1.3 too?
Richard, I wonder if you are running an older version as well.
Sorry I missed your three comments. I just noticed these have gone unanswered for a while.
Hi Roy,
Thanks for all your hard work on this project. I just received the 2009 WT Lib CD – what’s the process by which we upgrade the WTLib database?
Thanks, Paul
Paul, I’ve written a little FAQ response at the home site. Please see answer. It’s a useful question; others might benefit from its answer too. Thanks.
Hi Roy, I have a Macbook 10.5.2 and I have been trouble installing the watchtower library. Which download to you recommend?
Hi Sarah, Best to load the latest version, 1.3. Hope it works for you.