Cricut Design Studio will not operate on my Netbook!

[GBlount]

I wanted to update firmware on my Acer Netbook with SCAL. CDS won't function, the toolbar is grayed out and I can't click "help" to update the firmware for the Cricut Expressions. CDS just won't function at all.
Has anyone else had this problem.

[atlantis4569]

Well, I don't have DS but I have been wanting a netbook for Christmas for my SCAL and SVG's. Sorry I can't help you out with the DS problem, but can you tell me how your netbook has been working for you with the SCAL? TIA =)

[KellyS]

I had the exact same problem. You cannot install the trial DS on a netbook because it cuts off a bottom portion of DS which includes the icon to click to run it as a trial version (because a netbook does not have the minimum resolution dimensions DS requires). So all the choices remain grayed out. I tried tabbing down to the icon & that wouldn't work either. I had to install the DS trial on my regular desktop computer to be able to click on the right button for the trial version. Once I did that the buttons became un-grayed and I could update the firmware on my Cricut. It took me quite a while and a lot of frustration to figure this out. HTH

[Soraya]

i had been lusting for one of this tiny laptops, but it scal won't run... Not anymore

soraya

[BJN]

I, too want to get a Netbook or small laptop "someday" but I want to make sure that SCAL and CDS will work on it. I am interested in all comments on this. Christmas is coming and I am hoping there will be some good buys. I hope you get your Netbook problems figured out. I finally was abe to get My CDS updated , firmware and all. At first CDS would not cut , SCAL would still cut. Now I got both to cut and I am a happy camper.

[atlantis4569]

i had been lusting for one of this tiny laptops, but it scal won't run... Not anymore

soraya

So SCAL won't run on a netbook???

[Rorysnonna]

Hi All,
Yes it's true you can't run DS on your Acer Aspire. I have an acer Aspire from last Christmas. DS requires a screen resolution of 1024 X 786. The Acer screen resolution is 1024 X 600. HP has a netbook with the needed screen resolution. Check the specs before you buy one. As long as I did not have any SCAL problems I was fine with the fact I couldn't load DS. Hope this helps.
Lysa

[atlantis4569]

Hi All,
Yes it's true you can't run DS on your Acer Aspire. I have an acer Aspire from last Christmas. DS requires a screen resolution of 1024 X 786. The Acer screen resolution is 1024 X 600. HP has a netbook with the needed screen resolution. Check the specs before you buy one. As long as I did not have any SCAL problems I was fine with the fact I couldn't load DS. Hope this helps.
Lysa

Okay, well I don't have DS. I really don't have any desire for it with SCAL, so does that make me strange for feeling that way? All I'm worried about is if I can put SCAL and my SVG files on it. =)

[Rorysnonna]

No problems at all with running SCAL on the netbook. Keep in mind my Acer netbook is running windows xp. I have no idea if this years issue has xp or windows 7. I take it to work everyday and play at lunchtime. So cool!! and the screen is so much bigger than the gypsy. I don't think my 50 year old eyes could handle the small gypsy screen. Plus the netbook has all my other software so if I need to write a letter, go online or do some other task it's there. I love it! Most likely you will too.
Lysa

[cydnew]

For those who are interested in netbooks or minis, there are some that will operate CDS just fine. I have a Dell mini 10 netbook that runs it fine, but I made sure that I had the 1366x768 screen resolution (only 1 version of the mini 10 has this). As a previous poster mentioned, having a lower resolution (such as 1064x600 - like most netbooks seem to have), is what causes the problems with CDS.

If I were looking now, I would consider the Inspiron 11z (they don't call it a netbook online). The main reason is because most netbooks have an Atom processor which is a little slower than other processors. The 11z comes with a Celeron processor, and all the versions have full resolution monitors, and the cost is only $50-$100 more.

I mention these 2 things because they surprized me; whereas I was cautioned about the resolution problem and waited to get a full res screen, I had no idea that the Atom processors were a little slower & was disappointed that my new computer was not as fast as I expected it to be. I mention Dell because that is what I have, but I am sure that other brands probably have similar models available.