Windows 7
Operating System (OS)
&
Health Physics
SRNS: Don Gregory
Windows 7 & Health Physics
Health Physics concerned with Windows 7…Why?
Impacts on SRNS Health Physics Services (HPS) /
Status of Impacts
Summary
Health Physics concerned with
Windows 7……. Why?
Microsoft will end support of Windows XP OS in April 2014
At SRNS –December 2012, Windows 7 64-bit OS will be
default install on new computers
SRNS HPS tested software and ~20% of it is incompatible
with Windows 7 OS 64-bit. (Note: HPS identified over 60
software programs being used)
When SRNS moves completely to Windows 7 64-bit, the
Windows XP computer will not be allowed on the network
Impacts on SRNS HPS
Central Counting Facility (CCF)
The equipment used to process 10,000+ monthly air
samplers uses scanners and counting equipment that
interface with software (Canberra Air Quality and LB-Link) via
a serial port(s).
New computers are coming without ‘on-board’ serial ports.
Our USB to serial port adapter’s (prolific chipset) didn’t work
with this equipment and Windows 7.
HPS researched USB to serial port adapters, discovered
they use different chipsets – We found that ones with the
FDTI chipset work.
Impacts on SRNS HPS
Calibration Facility
Thermo instruments have a number of instruments that
use 16-bit calibration software – RMS3, Electra Plus,
AMS4, ASP2, E600Rad
16-bit software is not supported on Windows 7 64-bit OS
[Note: 16-bit software may work on a 32-bit OS]
SRNS HPS is pursuing obtaining the software code
Impacts on SRNS HPS
Alpha / Gamma Spectroscopy
Hardware is incompatible with Windows 7 (no drivers)
Canberra’s Genie 2K is incompatible with Windows 7
New hardware (Canberra Lynx) has been ordered and
Canberra is working on Genie 2K
Impacts on SRNS HPS
ProRad Software
ProRad is a comprehensive and integrated radiological
dose tracking system (RWPs, TLDs, EPDs,Training).
ProRad is compatible with Windows 7, BUT….
SRNS will be upgrading to another version of Oracle
(~July 2013)
ProRad is incompatible with new version of Oracle.
ProRad code has been purchased and SRNS ITS is
modifying.
Summary
Software is used to perform HP activities and Windows XP
OS going away.
Windows 7 64-bit is a completely different platform and
will effect ~20% of our software.
The need to use ‘Legacy’ software is not going away as
quickly as Windows 7 is coming.
Our modifications, changes and work-arounds did not
happen over-night, I recommend evaluating your software.
We may have common issues with similar equipment that
we can work together on.