* Running FH on Mac via Virtual machine

[AlexPH]

I have a new Mac Book Pro with the Apple M1 on which I have installed Parallels and Windows 11 Pro.

I am unable to install my current FH version 5 as when I try to enter the Licence Name and Registration Key number it comes up as invalid. However, FH have confirmed it is right and that when they test it on their systems it validates OK.

I guess it could be that FH5 is too old for the OS but before I upgrade, I wanted to know if anyone has managed to install V7 onto a MBP with Parallels and Windows 11 Pro

Thanks

[ColeValleyGirl]

I assume you've read FH v7 and windows emulators WARNING (18285) ?

[AlexPH]

Hi. Thanks for your post.

Yes I have read the post you referred to, but it seems that HF7 works OK if but is being run on a virtual machine, which is what Parallels does.

Alex

[mjashby]

Alex,

If you are running Windows 11 on Parallels on an M1 Mac, then my 'guess' would be the you are also running an ARM version of Windows 11 Pro; and not an x86 (64-bit) version. Is that correct?

If it is, then your issue will probably be about the ability of the ARM Version of Windows 11 to fully run Family Historian 5 in x86 emulation mode; and, as far as I know, the software could not be directly/fully compatible with any ARM system without some form of x86 emulation being provided by the operating system.

Mervyn

[tatewise]

Instead of "x86 (64-bit) version" should that say "x86 (32-bit) version"?

In any case, FH V7 being a 32-bit program may have similar problems?

[mjashby]

Mike,

Windows 11 is only available as 64-bit release. There is no 32-bit version. ARM-based Mac's and/or MacOS won't directly run any 32-bit operating systems, software or processes. That capability was completely eliminated a couple of OS versions ago.

Mervyn

[tatewise]

Yes, I think we are agreeing, but x86 = 32-bit processing, while x64 = 64-bit processing.
You were asking if "ARM Windows 11 Pro was not an x86 (64-bit) version".
i.e. It was an x64 (64-bit) version and not an x86 (32-bit) version.
I don't see how an x86 version can be 64-bit.
I thought x86 was either 32-bit outright or a 32-bit emulation in an x64 environment. Have I got that wrong?

[neil40]

Yes, I think we are agreeing, but x86 = 32-bit processing, while x64 = 64-bit processing.
You were asking if "ARM Windows 11 Pro was not an x86 (64-bit) version".
i.e. It was an x64 (64-bit) version and not an x86 (32-bit) version.
I don't see how an x86 version can be 64-bit.
I thought x86 was either 32-bit outright or a 32-bit emulation in an x64 environment. Have I got that wrong?

You are correct Mike x86 = 32 bit (x86 was the architecture it was built on) and x64 = 64 bit

[AlexPH]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the input. To be honest I do not know if the windows is ARM or not. I purchased Parallels, and selected the option to install on an Apple M1 computer. Parallels installed the Windows version, so I am assuming that it installed whatever version of windows was appropriate (or am I being naive?)

I can accept that FH5 is a very old piece of software, which my wife had running on a separate PC laptop. We wanted to make it easier so that she only had one laptop (and I could do with the PC laptop for running my train layouts!!).

I guess the proof of the pudding will be in the eating, and I will download the trial version of FH7 and install and see if it runs. If it does, I can then purchase the necessary licence.

It will have to wait till next week though as I am away this weekend

Thanks again for the interest

[tatewise]

Where and how did you purchase the Windows 11 Pro licence?

When Windows 11 is running in Parallels use Start > Settings > System > About and it tells you about the setup:-

Device specifications

Product ID: ...
System type: 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Windows specifications

Edition: Windows 11 Professional

[AlexPH]

Hi Mike

Parallels ARM Virtual Machine. 64bit ARM

[tatewise]

Yes, that is the Parallels Virtual Machine, but what about the Windows 11 Pro licence?
You must have a specific Windows 11 licence to install and run it within Parallels.
In Windows 11, what does Start > Settings > System > About say?
Also, what does Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation say about Activation?

[AlexPH]

Activated
Digitally Activated

[AlexPH]

System > About shows
Device Name
Processor: Apple Silicon 3.2Ghz
Installed Ram: 6.00GB
Device ID: a long number
Product ID: 20 digit code. 4 blocks of 5
System Type: 64 bit operating system ARM based processor

[NickWalker]

Yes, that is the Parallels Virtual Machine, but what about the Windows 11 Pro licence?
You must have a specific Windows 11 licence to install and run it within Parallels.

I'm no Mac expert but I'm fairly certain that M1 Macs only run Windows Arm so the 32/64 bit discussion is not relevant. It's all about how well the Arm version of Windows runs Family Historian in emulation mode as Mervyn said. Mervyn knows what he's talking about, he just made a slip by using the phrase 'x86 64 bit' whereas nowadays this is usually referred to as x64. This thread from July last year suggested that FH7 runs OK on Windows 10 on ARM on the M1 Mac.

[AlexPH]

Thanks to everyone who assisted me or responded. Pleased to say that FH7 seems to work perfectly on my wife's new Mac running Parallels and Windows 11Pro

When I delved a little deeper into the Windows 11 structure, it seems to be able to run both ARM and X64 programs as there are separate folders for these programs.

One happy wife !!

Again my thanks

Alex

[NickWalker]

Yes Windows 11 on Arm can run x86/x64 programs using emulation which is why you're able to run Family Historian.