Let’s Talk about Windows 10 One Last Time, Again.

Last summer, we posted the Microsoft release of Windows 10 on July 29, 2015. Windows users are able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free until July 29, 2016. Please check out the Upgrade to Windows 10: FAQ for more information about the new operating system provided directly from Microsoft.

We don’t recommend a Windows 10 update

Have you ever heard the expression, “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should”? For Venus 1500 V4 users considering upgrading to Windows 10, the phrase is especially true. Microsoft made significant changes to the framework that our display control software is based upon.

Venus 1500 V4.20 may function on Windows 10 platform, but it is recommended to utilize Windows 7 or Windows 8 for full functionality and support. Because of this, we are not recommending customers update to Windows 10 at this time.

One of the most common problems Venus 1500 V4 users will experience if they upgrade to Windows 10 is a Nucleus or Fusion Error. If you are receiving an error message referencing the Nucleus or Fusion Services, then please read the following Knowledge Base article for help resolving the issue.

Also, please remember this is just one error that we have a possible fix for, but due to the large amount of changes made in Windows 10, it is highly possible that you will experience more.

I am receiving a Nucleus error Nucleus service could not be started then username/password prompt when launching Venus 1500 V4 using Windows 10.

Microsoft offers a backup option

For those of you who have already updated to Windows 10, whether knowingly or accidentally, don’t worry. Microsoft has built a backup option and after upgrading, an option should be available to revert back to your old operating system.

However, this can potentially clear any setting, content, or configuration you have on your machine that may require Daktronics support to set up again. This work may incur cost because it’s not covered as part of our standard warranty or service/support plan.

For more information regarding Daktronics position on Windows 10, please check out all of our previous blog posts on the matter, and take a look at the following Knowledge Base Article.

Windows 10 Notice – What Do Daktronics Customers Need To Know?

Here’s the good news!

Last July we posted about Windows 10 and how it could affect you.  In that post, we mentioned the launch of a new software system. Since then, so many of you have asked about switching over to the new software that we thought now would be a great time to tell you about it.

Venus Control Suite is a brand-new software created by Daktronics that operates in the cloud. This means that as long as you have an internet connection and access to an up-to-date web browser, you will be able to access it on any device (desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.) at any time, from anywhere!

No more worries about the operating system

It also means that you don’t have to worry about operating system requirements, downloading anything, or being stuck in your office on the computer all the time anymore.  Now you can make your changes on the go from your mobile device!

Continuous automatic updates

Another benefit of using a web-based system is that Daktronics will have the ability to continuously update the software with new features and bug fixes, as needed. And because Venus Control Suite is independent of operating system requirements, it will remain usable far longer than the previous downloadable control solutions from the last few decades.

Trainer Tip:  New display customers purchasing GS6 and GC6 displays will be the first to receive Venus Control Suite. An upgrade path for customers with existing Daktronics AF-32xx AF-34xx, and AF-35xx message centers will be available beginning in 2016.  More to come on this in future blog posts and announcements, as well.

 A new blog

We have so much more to share with you about our new software and its many features that we are going to be starting up a new biweekly blog in January 2016 that focuses solely on Venus Control Suite.

Don’t worry though! We will still be posting the Venus 1500 V4 blog every other week for you. That’s right, starting next year we will be posting to 2 blogs on alternating weeks. We have so many things to talk about, I can’t wait to get started!

Thanks for reading this week’s post, and be sure to keep your eye out for updates on the Venus Control Suite blog coming soon!