Fix: Installing (discontinued) Terrain Navigator (Std. Edition) on Windows 7, 8 or 10
What is Windows 10 and Why is it Different?
Windows 10 (and its cousins, Windows Vista, 7, and 8) are Microsoft's newer Operating Systems. The Operating System is essentially a very large and complicated computer program which controls other computer applications. Each software application on your PC (regardless of who created it) must work properly with the Operating System in order to run flawlessly.Unlike previous versions of the Microsoft Windows Operating System, Windows now places a series of restrictions on application folders. Simply put, each application must adhere to these new rules to be called "Compatible."
Moreover, most modern versions of Windows are "64-Bit" (and are often referred to as 'x64'.) Without getting into all the technical details, this basically means that the operating system is optimized for the latest generation of computers, allowing access to larger amounts of memory and providing speedier computer processing.
Older applications that use 16-Bit setup routines can not be installed onto a 64-bit version of Windows. In most instances, attempting to install older versions of Terrain Navigator on Windows 7 will give the following error:
The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running. Check your computer's system information to see whether you need an x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) version of the program, and then contact the software publisher.
Discontinued Maptech products released prior to 2009 are not compatible with Windows 7 (or later) and will usually not install. You will find the version number of Terrain Navigator printed on the disc labeled "Maptech" and "Installer"; all versions prior to 8.7 (such as version 8.5, 7.03, 6.04, etc.) were released prior to 2009 and are not compatible with Windows 7. Instead, we provide Terrain Navigator Pro, which is fully compatible with modern Windows versions.
Upgrading to Terrain Navigator Pro
We are pleased to offer subscriptions to the current version of Terrain Navigator Pro starting at $240 per state/region, per year. In addition to being compatible with modern operating systems, Terrain Navigator Pro includes a myriad of new map types, features, and benefits. For details, please see: http://www.terrainnavigator.com/Product.To order a TNP subscription, please click the Purchase link at terrainnavigator.com or call us at 800-627-7236 x204.
Common Questions:
Q: Can I transfer my markers, routes, tracks, etc. from Terrain Navigator to Terrain Navigator Pro? If so, how do I accomplish that?A: We have a Backup and Restore Utility which will easily transfer your project layers (markers, routes, tracks, and labels) to a new computer. This utility can also take the project layers from an older version of Terrain Navigator Std. Edition and install them into the current version of Terrain Navigator Pro.
To download this free utility, and for detailed instructions, please see:
http://tnp.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/172066
Alternatively, you may use the Import/Export facilities in the File menu to save the data files and bring them into a new installation. However, please be certain that when exporting tracks, each individual track MUST consist of a unique name. Otherwise like-named tracks will be combined together (into a single track) once imported into Terrain Navigator Pro.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO COPY THE RAW DATA FILES. DOING SO MAY CORRUPT THEIR CONTENTS AND RECOVERY MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE. Instead, please use the Backup and Restore Utility, or the Export/Import functions found in the File menu.
Q: I no longer have access to the original installation. Instead, I have copies of the raw .TRK, .MRK, and .RTE files. Is there any way you can recover the lost data?
A: Please zip whatever raw data files you have and email them to tnp@mytopo.com. We will do our best to recover the lost data. There is no fee for this service to customers who have upgraded to Terrain Navigator Pro and maintain an active subscription for aerial photo access, application upgrades, and software maintenance.
Q: I have version 8.51 of Terrain Navigator Std. Edition and it will not install on Windows 7/8/10. What do I do?
A: Terrain Navigator version 8.51 may not install properly in modern versions of Windows. Those with version 8.51 (or later) of Terrain Navigator Standard Edition are welcome to order a TNP subscription; please click the Purchase link at terrainnavigator.com or call us at 800-627-7236 x204.
Q: Why isn't there a simple patch available to install older, discontinued discs on new operating systems?
A: Terrain Navigator is a complex product and has had many different versions (and names) over the last 20+ years. To make a patch that is compatible with all the possible map discs is simply too large of an undertaking. Instead, we are making our flagship product, Terrain Navigator Pro, available to all of Maptech's customers, so that they can enjoy the latest software, features, and maps, in a way that is optimized for their new computer.