RANT XL and Windows Vista ©

RANT XL has undergone limited testing with Windows Vista ©. Three issues have been identified:

  • RANT crashes after a few minutes use
  • Help is no longer available
  • Meteorological information can no longer be downloaded


    • Solutions have, hopefully, been found for these issues:

  • The crashes may be linked to the use of the computer's sound card. The use of the sound card should be disabled using the RANT Options/Defaults/Options window. Use of the PC speaker appers to cause no problems.
  • Help no longer works because Microsoft do not include the necessary files with Vista. They can however be downloaded and installed from the Microsoft web site using this link. Use the x64 option for 64-bit copies of Vista and the x86 option for 32-bit copies.
  • The Vista firewall prevents programs accessing the Internet unless they are on its Exceptions list. By going to the Security Centre through the Control Panel it is possible to add RANT Flight Planner and the Met Viewer to the Exceptions list. UK Met Office bulletins will still not download directly however as Vista appears not to allow the relevant password to be shared.

    The newest version of RANT (4.08) addresses the sound issue by disabling the sound card option if Vista is detected.

    Anyone contemplating the purchase of RANT is strongly advised to download our Demo and check that it runs correctly on their system before purchasing. Claimed incompatibility with Vista will not constitute grounds for returning the product.