Software Compatibility Issues

"A dozen members of our 400 member club have acquired CompuTrainers during the past few years. Since then, the average speed in the pack on our 24 mile Saturday ride has increased over 4 mph from 21 to 25+. These guys all know it's their CompuTrainers that have put them in the final break."

- Paul Levine, Orange County Bicycle Club, Middletown, NY

Support - SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY ISSUES

3D Software Screen Shot
Real Course Video Screen Shot

It is not uncommon for users to attempt dedicating their older computers to their newly acquired trainer. When doing so it is important to check whether this computer will meet minimum system requirements for the software you are trying to run.

This page is devoted to dealing with issues regarding the compatibility of RacerMate software and the computers you may be trying to use. To help sort out various issues, you may find links to other pages devoted more specifically to that particular subject. Be sure to check them out too.

Windows Vista and Windows 7

Windows™ Vista and Win7 Users - Please Read the following document before installing your software. These operating systems do not allow applications to write to the Program Files folder any longer. The software needs to be installed in the "root" C:\ drive.

Vista/Win7 Installation Guide on PDF

System Requirements

Intel Pentium III or equivalent, 500 MHz or higher.
System RAM: minimum as required by the operating system used.
Windows™ 2000/XP/Vista/Win7 (Vista/Win7 users, read this)
One USB Port per CompuTrainer (serial port for pre-2009 versions).
(Note:Computrainer includes one USB adapter)

Video Card with 64MB Video RAM
256MB Video RAM required for Interactive Real Course Videos

CD-ROM drive(needed for software installation purposes only)
DVD-ROM drive required for Real Course Video software installations.

Not sure how to check whether your computer meets or exceeds system requirements? Use the DirectX Diagnostics tool to tell you everything you need to know. Click here to learn how.

Download a Demo Version of 3D

This demo version may help determine whether the software will run well on your current computer. Before downloading the Demo Version - check our minimum system requirements above to verify whether your computer meets the requirements for the 3D software. Only after doing so should you download and try the Demo Version.

Click here to download the Demo Version of CompuTrainer 3D Version 3.0
(3Dv3Demo.exe - 12MB in size)

Please note: You can determine your PC specifications by running the DirectX Diagnostics program, which is supplied with all Windows™ based computers. For instructions on how to run this diagnostic program, click here. You should also check out our Forum -or- Frequently Asked Questions page answers to common questions.

The Demo Version does NOT function directly with a CompuTrainer, therefore it can only verify whether the software runs "graphically" on your computer and can not check the communications portion of the software.

Running the Demo Version

After installation, go to the Programs menu, or shortcut, and launch the software.
Click on the Build or Load a Course button.
Click on the Load button.
Select a course from the list and click OK.
Click on the Race Now! button.
While on the Race Screen and the riders are at the start line: type the "G" key on your PC keyboard to start the race.
Click the "right" mouse button several times to speed up your rider.
Click the " left" mouse button to slow the rider down.

If everything appears runs fine, then your PC should be OK to run the software.

Demo Version of Real Course Video

If you would like to try a short version of Real Course Video to see if you run into any problems, you can download that here.

Apple/Macintosh Computers

Currently CompuTrainer is not compatible with Apple/Macintosh operating systems. CompuTrainer software appears to run fine on newer Intel™ Macs using Bootcamp and a Windows™ OS installed. Newer versions of Parallels (a Mac/Windows emulator) have come far in their attempt to run our software, but as of early 2009 they are still coming up a little short.

Though the software appears to run, RacerMate does not have the capacity to support technical support issues that may occur. For these issues, you may have luck with this by posting a thread on our web forum.

Older Windows™ Operating Systems

Currently we are only supporting Windows™ XP and newer on any new software application. If you have anything older; like Windows 98, you must use an older application such as PC1.