Rich, Thanks very much for that explanation. It answers a lot of questions and clears a few things up for me. I've not done an upgrade or changed OS in 5 or 6 yrs so, my brain is a bit too old and rusty on that subject. I used to build my own systems but, I've been very satisfied with my current one that I bought complete and the thoughts of getting/building a new one have been very fleeting. I think this is the first "factory" system I've ever purchased and it's really been a good one. Vista has treated me very well for general use. My Son is pretty knowledgeable about the hard & software and has given me a few tips also. He's currently running Win 8.1 and recommends it over Win. 7 for various reasons, none of which appeal/make sense to me as they appear much the same. I read the descriptions and features of both and, for my need, I don't see a difference. Additionally, I can get Win. 7 Pro for a few bucks less than "Home" but, don't can't make much sense out of the difference between those either. In my searches for best price on any of these, I've found Win. 7 Pro (w/SP1) to be cheaper than any of the others including Win 8. I got a headache trying to decide and now that I've read the EZb V4 availability thread, I have a sense of relief. I can take my time and make a good decision on the OS because when I order the EZb it will take a couple of months to arrive.

Again, thanks for the help.

RJ

@RJ, If it helps I'm using Win7 Pro Sp1 32bit version on a 64 bit computer. (It's a used machine and that's just what I had as an available OS at the time I cored it.) When I install any Windows the first thing I do is go to Widows Update and get all of the updates. You'll spend an hour or two on updates once you start it up for the first time so I like to just get that out of the way. I can't remember if the dot net software comes pre-installed with it or not but I know you will need the latest version of the dot net software. Be sure you have that. We see a thread from time to time where that is the issues so I figured you may want to have that info in advance. You seem like you like to stay ahead of your troubles and not behind them.

The only issues I've had were a bad blu tooth dongle and an issue with the voice synthesis. More specifically using a 3rd party speech engine. And I'm pretty sure that problem exists with both Win7 and Win8. Just to note neither of those problems were EZB caused. Just bunk hardware and Windows being Windows.

Antron007 ....thanks again for the tips. I recently had an HD crash due to an electrical storm and had to go through reloading my OS so, I was forced to remember the process. The hardware was OK, but it scrambled my OS so, had to reload. I have two older XP computers that I'm trying to get in shape to accept a Win. 7 install. One is an old 1.5ghz laptop with 2gig memory and the other is an old tower with 2 gig memory. Both are running as if in molasses and neither are cooperating for the download. I'm getting frustrated again. grrrrrrr I'm almost read to blow them away (literally ) and load it on this machine and dual boot. I have about 400meg remaining on my external drive so I think I have the space. I would like to install it on the laptop so I won't be stuck in a fixed location.

Sincere thanks for your help.

RJ

Ooops, make that 400gig remaining on my external HD.

RJ

I finally made a decision to upgrade to Win.8 from Vista. I was getting a headache trying to decide which OS to use and which version. So, as I type on my old laptop, my main computer is downloading win 8 Pro. Got it for a good price and since it's an upgrade it should retain most of my Vista settings (I hope).
After uploading the various patches, SPs, drivers, etc. I should be able to download ARC and begin getting familiar with it.

My two ebay purchases are on the way so, I'll have time to tinker with them until the EZb v4 starts shipping. Rewiring the V2 will be a time consuming task but, well worth it I think and it will give me something to do while anxiously waiting for the controller.

RJ

Yeeeeeeee Hawwwwww ! BOTH of my RS robots were delivered today and they both work ! ....which I wasn't expecting. The RS1 was sold without the remote and was said to be intermittent in operation or not at all. The first thing I did was thoroughly clean the battery terminals and install new D cells. It works now ! I also found an RS1 remote for a fair price on ebay and it's on the way. The RS2 is in GREAT ! condition. I can't find any marks on him and both he and the remote are clean as a whistle. He was advertised as not working or intermittent too. I checked his battery boxes and they look practically unused ...not a sign of corrosion. Even the pads on his feet have very little scuffing. The remote is in the same condition. This big boy was well cared for or ignored after a short play time. I installed fresh batteries and to my surprise he went through his boot up routine and began to function normally. I put him through his dance routine and all went very well. However, while walking he would stop and shut down (a symptom of bad wiring). The more I played with him the more he deteriorated and began to complain of "low brain power" ....as was reported by the seller. The AAA batteries in his right foot were very warm (not hot) when I checked them indicating a short in that circuit (ie. bad wiring insulation).

I bought this one (it's a grey "Sharper Image" model) for a very good price while guessing he had wiring issues as they all seem to do. I'm prepared to rewire him though so, he'll be up and running as soon as I get "roundtoit". There's plenty of help on-line so it's not a daunting task, just one that takes patience. I'm very happy with my purchase knowing now that his boards are fine and just needs new wiring.

Now, I need to save my nickles and dimes and order an EZb for the RS1. I'm really looking forward to that mod and very impressed by it's simplicity and functionality.

The FUN BEGINS.

RJ

you gonna use the v2 also whit ez.that was my dream too.i was just seeying where to find the Ir WIRE.

Eventually, yes but, not right away. I want some experience with the EZb and ARC before I tackle the RS2. I'd also like to build a Wall-E and then continue from there with more complicated stuff as I gain experience. Please post your experience with the RS2 as I'm sure it will be helpful later.

RJ