I only got my LDS disks from the UK distribution centre last week too, so I am new to the software too, but soon got fed up with changing CDs and copied to the hard disk as per the instructions. I have tried it with the data in a variety of combinations... 1) Viewer and all data on the system drive C: 2) Viewer on C: and all data on drive D: 3) Viewer and Index data on C:, Census data on D: 4) Viewer and Census data on C:, Index data on D: There was no difference in the timing results - I am running Windows 2000 on a Athon 1Ghz with 512MB. My best guess is that Viewer 3 is doing it's "loading of data into memory" at different points than in Version 2. Perhaps it was an attempt to address the slow initial load time, at the expense of slow switching later? ****Like you say - can anyone else with the data loaded to their hard disk instead of CDs comment on their experiences?**** BTW, I got Viewer 3 free with the US Immigration Index (the feeling I picked up searching the newsgroups is that if you order the Immigration index you pay the same price as the Viewer 3 on it's own but it's included free). I'll try Viewer 2 and see what happens... Simon "gordon" <gordon.betts@ntlworld.com> wrote in message news:sJT78.1906$ET2.389725@news11-gui.server.ntli.net... > > "Simon Torrington" <storri@btclick.com> wrote in message > news:a3n88a$s9d$1@helle.btinternet.com... > > Thanks for your reply Gordon - I tried to repeat most of your same > sequence > > and got the following results (your timings are in brackets)... > > I Think we would have to compare like with like Simon and I have version 2 > of the viewer though I only received the disk set new from LDS's order > department last week. I have been unable to find a download source for > Viewer 3 to try it and see if its behaviour mirrors yours more closely. I > have tried the census on two different computers just to see if it makes a > difference. Both have 512MB but one is a 1.4 Athlon and the other an 800 MHz > Pentium3. Very little difference in the timings and no difference in the > behaviour. I am running XP however and on both computers the system is not > on drive C:, on one it is on D: and the other on E:. and the CENSUS data is > not on the system disk in either case. I haven't had a chance to consider > the registry entries to see if they are optimum. LDS do not recommend > running either viewer on XP at the moment. > The lady at LDS is uncertain how you got Viewer 3 as it does not come with > the 1881 Census set but I have ordered it from her separately and will > compare its behaviour when it arrives and let you know the results. > > Meanwhile perhaps other users may care to contribute? > > Gordon > > > Loading National Index search screen from start takes 2 (112) seconds the > > first time the program is started but for me >20 seconds to cancel the > > search dialog and exit the program. (for you - 2 seconds if the program is > > exited and restarted .but actually lists all the A's and B's) > > Finding 17 records takes 1 (1 - 2) seconds > > Double click on name takes 1 (99) seconds > > going back to original list takes 45 (1) seconds > > Loading British Census from start takes 1 (1) second to East Anglia region > > ALWAYS for me (for you - only if the program is not being started for the > > first time when it takes a similar time to National Index) > > Changing area to correct one and inputting search name gives results in 1 > > (1) second > > Clicking on any name gives results in 1 (1) second > > Clicking on neighbors takes 1 (1) second > > Clicking on National Index takes 1-2 (1) seconds to bring up search screen > > and all the A's B's > > Search on all areas for name again takes 1 (1-2) seconds for 17 names > > clicking on name 1 (1) sec > > Clicking on National Index 40 (1) seconds > > Clicking on back button takes (20) 1 sec per screen and ends up ata 1881 > > British Census heading with no search screen > > Clicking on binoculars brings up search screen instantly > > > > My PC has 512MB RAM as well but a 1Ghz Athlon processor. > > BTW, are you using Viewer v3.02?? I'm so confused - ours seem to be > > operating very differently. > > I actually think I prefer your software's behaviour on balance!! > > > > > > "gordon" <gordon.betts@ntlworld.com> wrote in message > > news:7_k78.3970$BU3.928711@news6-win.server.ntlworld.com... > > > As a result of your observations I have checked my 1881 on disk timimgs > > and > > > they seem quite poor compared with yours. > > > Loading National Index search screen from start takes 112 seconds the > > first > > > time the program is started but 2 seconds if the program is exited and > > > restarted .but actually lists all the A's and B's > > > Finding 17 records takes 1 - 2 seconds > > > Double click on name takes 99 seconds > > > going back to original list takes 1 second > > > Loading British Census from start takes 1 second to East Anglia region > but > > > only if the program is not being started for the first time when it > takes > > a > > > similar time to National Index > > > Changing area to correct one and inputting search name gives results in > 1 > > > second > > > Clicking on any name gives results in 1 second > > > Clicking on neighbors takes 1 second > > > Clicking on National Index takes 1second to bring up search screen and > all > > > the A's B's > > > Search on all areas for name again takes 1-2 seconds for 17 names > > > clicking on name 1 sec > > > Clicking on National Index 1 second > > > Clicking on back button takes 1 sec per screen and ends up ata 1881 > > British > > > Census heading with no search screen > > > Clicking on binoculars brings up search screen instantly > > > > > > I am not sure what conclusions to make from all this. It seems that > > getting > > > the program started for the first time takes a long time presumably > > because > > > there is 10 GBytes of info to get its head around. Once it is in memory > > > exiting and restarting the program doesm not seem to remove it and it > will > > > make itself ready in a few seconds.There is a fair amount of disk > bashing > > > taking place during the 112 seconds mentioned above. > > > To help you compare your with mine I have only 512MB of main memory at > > > moment. Census\bi1881 11GB 73 files 2 folders > > > > > > Hope these obsevations help > > > > > > Gordon Betts > > > "Simple Simon" <storri@usa.net> wrote in message > > > news:b5d3d0ad.0202021148.6094dd5@posting.google.com... > > > > Guy (or any other expert!) > > > > > > > > I successfully followed the instructions on your website for > > > > installing the 1881 LDS Census onto my hard disk (thankyou!), and am > > > > **fairly** happy with the results. > > > > > > > > If I start with a search on the National Index, and then double click > > > > a name from the results, I get the Census detail in a fraction of a > > > > second. That's all fantastic. > > > > > > > > BUT - if I use the 'back' button on the Viewer toolbar, or click the > > > > National Index tab to try to get the results list back the software > > > > seems to 'hang' or 'freeze' temporarily. After about 20 seconds pause > > > > the National Index tab appears but with a blank screen, and after > > > > another 20 seconds or so the previous results list appears. > > > > I also get similar freezes when printing. > > > > > > > > Do you experience this issue?? Is it a consequence of using the > > > > NETWORK option in Viewer? > > > > > > > > If I'm stuck with this problem - thinking laterally - is there a > > > > quicker way to return to the start point of a National Index search?? > > > > At the moment I find it quicker to shut the Viewer down and re-run!! > > > > > > > > FWIW my PC is only a few months old, has plenty of resources free and > > > > I am computer literate (I am a PC programmer) but this has me baffled. > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > Simon