I have version 4 on my computer with Vista. I think there were helps on the Bernina site to help you. Maybe a download? It has been awhile since I did it.

I have had Vista from nearly the beginning and I actually like it. I know I'm in a small crowd.

Will your Bernina dealer help you? Or is that where you got the $500 upgrade?

Hope you get something to work!

Joyce

I just bought a new computer from Dell and had to pay extra to have xp on it rather than Vista, but I still think Bernina needs to support backwards for such an expensive piece of software. I understand that there are a lot of new features on the new design software, but I also think the "upgrade" is considerably too expensive. They would make more by selling more with a smaller profit, which I think they would handily do if they lowered the upgrade cost.

I also note that their website has removed some of the support that they used to have for Artistas. One of their biggest advantages in the past is their erstwhile backward support for their older machines. I have two Berninas and would love to have the 830, but I can't afford it right now. If if do finally buy it sometime in the next year or two, I would expect them to continue to support it and its accompanying software for years into the future.

Microsoft does have an interest in Bernina software, by the way...Bernina software on the machines, aka the sewing computers, are based on Microsoft operating systems. But I don't think that stretches to the design software.

You're miles ahead of me if you can run both XP and Vista on the same computer. :shock:

As far as future computer updates go, I think we are on our way..Windows is coming out with a new ...something, and Artista is coming out with Version 6 this year.

It is indeed a challenge.

The only person I'm slamming about this deal is me-it was not a well thought out purchase. I'm usually my own geek but I did call a guy (and he probably doesn't know everything) and he pointed out that Microsoft has no vested interest in Bernina and probably wouldn't help. He said usually the software companies provide the free downloads for compatibility issues so he thought if enough people were upset, the software company would support their product--seemed reasonable to me. I can keep my desktop with XP on it or I could run both XP and Vista on my laptop-so there are options. By the time I'm completely unable to use the software there will likely be something different than Vista and Bernina will be on Version10.

I am probably going to slammed for saying this, but if you are going to write Bernina about a free something, why not write Microsoft and ask for the same? The changes that have made V4 unusable for you have come from the Microsoft end, not Bernina.

Also, the upgrade to V5 is not just so that you can use your software with Vista (Vista came out AFTER V5 did) but for all the other updates that come along with V5 (Monogram program, multihooping, etc).

If you ever get through to Microsoft Why not ask them if they can provide customers with the OPTION of purchasing XP? Perhaps you can still purchase a used computer with XP? Maybe a Geek Squad person can load XP on a used computer. Computer programs in general (not just Bernina) are constantly changing, which is exasperating and makes it almost impossible for someone like me to keep up.

I share your frustration but be aware that is not entirely Bernina for your problem. If you didn't have enough to think about, there is a new Version 6 coming out this year. I don't know anything about it but perhaps there will be specials to encourage updating.

I agree with you--they should provide some backward support AND a more reasonable upgrade price. Backward support used to be one of Berninas best features. I have two Berninas now --one old one and one 200E upgraded to 730. If the 830 weren't so horribly expensive, I'd own that too. I sent them a note.

As most of you know the Version 4 Bernina embroidery software is not compatible with Vista. I paid $1400 for this software a little over 4 years ago and now they require another $500 for the upgrade. As consumers and faithful Bernina customers, I think we should contact them and demand a free driver download from their site that will make this software usable with Vista. I'm sure this is doable. At the very least they should offer the upgrade at a reasonable cost. At this rate-each of my little embroidered gifts has cost nearly $30 just for the embroidery. So join me in contacting Bernina regarding this problem and asking for the fix.

http://www.berninausa.com/content-n81-sUS.html