What you download from this board (the XXHighEnd-x.xx.zip files) is a fully working demo version, only limited in playing time per session
(the GUI will disappear anywhere between 6 and 60 minutes, randomly, or playback will just stop otherwise; you may think the program "crashes"); When you've got an Activation Key your demo version will have turned into a normal licensed version for your household with unlimited playing time.
Edit : But since 0.9m for a demo install there's no possibility for Processor Core Appointment.
Edit : Since 0.9n for a demo install there's a restriction on the number of output result items (100) for the Library functions.
InstallDownload the Zip at the very bottom from any of the Releasenote topics on this board (best practice is to use the last/newest one
). Example of an old one :
XXHighEnd Model 0.9v-1 (Support for Vista/64 and more). Now look at the very bottom of this example download page for the zip file. Remember, this is just an example, and the newest version will be in the topmost non-sticky topic (the yellow ones, not the orange ones).
Save the zip and Unzip it to any directory you like, create a shortcut from the XXHighEnd.exe from there (Explorer, Rightclick on the Exe and Send to desktop) and attach an icon to the new shortcut (rightclick on the shortcut, Properties, Shortcut tab, Change Icon, Browse). Use XXHighEndXP.ico for XP and XXHighEndVista.ico for Vista ...
Note that the XXEngine3.exe is an internal program, used by XXHighEnd.
You might want to have a look at :
Installation guide for Dummies.
But in any case, look here :
Vista Users ... prepare yourselves ... which also counts for W2008 and W7 users, and tells you about the necessity to run XXHighEnd with uplevelled rights ("as administrator"). Omit this, and you *will* have problems.
Start playing (but see below).
There will be no explicit changes to the Registry, apart from a small harmless OCX needed for the GUI (you will see an install passing by for that).
Notice that it is of great importance that all the programs you see passing by to run when you start XXHighEnd for the first time, are answered to with "Yes , Run" and tick the box which says "do not ask me again the next time". If you omit the latter, things will be run under the hood, but you won't be able to see these little screens, nor will you be able to answer the messages.
Note :Make a good habit of keeping a copy of all the earlier versions you downloaded and keep them accessible. It is good for comparison.
Remember that XXHighEnd is about audio quality, and in fact not about features. BUT : it won't be the first time that changing or adding a feature, degraded the sound quality.
And if that happens, I want to know !!
A demo version is the same as an Activated version (but
see here at the top), and activating a version requires an Activation Code which you can obtain from within XXHighEnd at clicking the red "undemo" in the volume knob.
When you receive errors at your first playing attemptsIf you are not confident with the below things, be sure you have a restore point (hence backup) at hand !
When you use Vista, W2008 or W7, there should be no need to install any additional software, hence the errors your receive (if so) must come from somewhere else. For XP (or Windows2000) the below would apply though.Install the Dot-Net Framework 2.0 Redistributable package from here : (changed per June 8 2007 into the 2.0 version)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=0856EACB-4362-4B0D-8EDD-AAB15C5E04F5&displaylang=enDon't forget to choose the language of your OS, or otherwise it won't work !
When you want to run Engine #3 when it's available, you'd need Vista and
additionally need the DotNet Framework 3.0 redistributable :
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=10cc340b-f857-4a14-83f5-25634c3bf043&DisplayLang=enBut : Carefully read this excerpt from the page I just referred to :
The .NET Framework 3.0 is included as part of the Windows Vista™ operating system; you can install it or uninstall it using Windows Features Control Panel.which would imply you would already have it, but that it needs to be installed as indicated.
If you still get errors and you have XP, download the zip at the bottom of this page which will get you "a" DirectX update that works for the player.
Most probably from
this link you will get a more current DirectX version, and from there you might find even more current ones (I think lately the MS pages are messy).
Currently it will be a bit trial and error, but eventually there will be a decent install guide.
Note that things got rather complex (for me) after developing much of the stuff on Vista, and having it compatible for both XP and Vista at the same time. Also, since all of the PCs I own are development PCs anyway, it's a tough job testing the raw installs. Sorry !
Getting an Activation Code (72 euro, see the UnDemo section of XXHighEnd)
Important :
The license you will receive is valid for your (one) household.
A household is defined as all of your PCs connected by means of a local network, one of those PCs obtaining the Activation Code (Key) over the internet.
At getting the Activation code from the internet, initiated by the PayPal button in the Undemo section of XXHighEnd, it will be the PC that gets the Activation Code that gets licensed !It is well possible that the (or a) PC providing the audio playback as intended, is not connected to the network. In that case it is the strong advise to connect that PC temporarily to the network anyway, *or* connect that PC temporarily to the internet at obtaining the Activation Code. If you do not do so, you may end up with a license for the "wrong" PC (while you are entitled to use them all ...).
Whether your Audio Playback PC will be allright for a license - when you do not use that PC to get the Activation Code from the internet - can be tested by looking at the Audio Playback PC(s) under "My Network Places", and if you can see the PC that *wil* get the Activation Code (assumed that harddisks of the internet PC are shared). If you know the both PCs can see eachother once they are connected to the local network, you should be okay.
(do note that when your Audio Playback PC would be permanently connected to the local network, this does *not* influence audio quality that I know of)
In order to use PayPal you do not need a PayPal account; a credit card is sufficient.
Carefully read the pages that the PayPal procedure present, and never cross away such a page. It may prevent the email with your Activation Code being sent.
But if you do not receive that email, which should be within seconds, there's a manual procedure as a backup, and waiting for that procedure should never be longer than 10 hours. Before that period has passed you may post about it if that makes you confident, but it really is not necessary.
Billing instanceYou will be billed via PayPal by
Stordiau Holding B.V. T/A Phasure (VAT NL8002.22.696.B01, Chamber of Commerce 08052207 Zutphen Netherlands)
Eperweg 53
8167 LG Oene
Netherlands
Also see (
important)
Activation ... How ?Good luck !
Peter Stordiau
Do not "just" download and install the Zip below ! Read above text !
