Wizard W-8000

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robert140377

robert140377

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Nov 11, 2019
Posts
2
Loc
Norway
Hi folks.
I need to change the computer which is hooked to my Wizard.
Do I have to buy a preconfigured computer or can I just connect any laptop and just install "Mat Designer" software ?
Sincerely
Robert.
 
Hi Robert, and welcome to the G!
What was your old computer's OS? I have an 8000 and it runs on the original computer with MS/XP. If I were to have to make an upgrade to W10 the diver pack would be incompatible, and a download of a work-around from Wizard would be needed. Depending on which OS you are currently using and which driver pack you have will determine what all you need to do. My machine is 15 years old and has a beige diver pack that was designed for XP. The newer driver packs are black (I think) and may be compatible with the newer OS.
Mike Labbe, the forum admin, was working with Wizard as a beta tester for the 8000 and probably knows the particulars.
In any event, you will probably have to contact Wizard at some point in the upgrade process.
 
Robert,

First of all, Welcome to the "G". Congrats on your first post! :)

Wally gave great advice.

We no longer have our Wizard 8000, but upgraded the computer at least 4 times over the years. We used to retire the front counter POS computer to serve as the Wizard computer, every 2 or 3 years, and get a new one for the front counter.

I suggest using a computer with the latest Windows 10, 64 bit version. 8-16gb memory and a 512mb or higher hard drive are good goals. It doesn't have to be an expensive PC.

Wizard upgraded the drivers, so even the older (tan) driver packs will work fine with Windows 8, 8.1, and Windows 10. (I only suggest Windows 10!)

You will need to get a current version of the software from Wizard, as well. Mat Designer was actually retired several years ago, and replaced with a completely re-written product. The FrameShop software initially only ran on the newer Wizard CMCs, but now they are upgrading older CMCs that used Mat Designer. MatDesigner and FrameShop both require activation codes when installed on a new computer (a string of letters and numbers), which are good for one time use. You'll need to contact Wizard for advice, support, activation code, and to make a decision if you want the final MatDesigner release, or the newer product that is improved regularly.

They will advise, but one thing that always worked well for me in the past was to copy the Wizard program folder over FIRST. This way it preserved all of the previously saved job files and imported the board calibrations from the old computer to the new. If you otherwise start with a clean copy, you'll have to "dial it back in" with a bunch of adjustments for each type of cut. Every cmc is unique in how it is calibrated for perfect cuts.

Another tip, if you bought it outright and aren't on a corner/leasing program, is to keep the old computer as a "backup". In the event of a system failure, we always had the option to plug the old computer in to be back online in a few minutes. (with older software) It gave peace of mind to have a backup plan.

Best of luck!
Mike Labbe
 
I recently made a virtual clone of my old XP machine on to a new external hard drive. Means i can plug it in to any computer and run of the external hard drive. Wizard wanted $450 for the new software for a 20 year old machine. While still working ok. If the driver pack was to go i was quoted $7k. So i would rather put that sort of money into a new machine. Which is what i am looking at this year.
 
i-FRAMER said:
...While still working ok. If the driver pack was to go i was quoted $7k...
Click to expand...
Wow! When I earlier upgraded to W10 they provided the new black driver pack free of charge due to Jr. rental warranty. That pack failed a few years later and the replaced that one free. Both times the invoice showed the charge as around $3,500, waived. Doubling in a few years is ridiculous.
 
Sorry Pat. That is Australian dollars. I also bought it outright not on a plan, so warranty is most likely only a few years at the most for outright purchase.
 
I bought mine outright as well. The cost of replacement parts is one reason I have always maintained a warranty agreement with Wizard. I have had to replace the head 4 times, the gantry twice, and the gantry pneumatic control valves a couple times as well. All parts are covered including the surgical hose edge clamps. They fail and I get a fresh set in 2 days, all costs covered.
 
I have been lucky. In 16 years i have only had to replace air clamp hoses, and the belts once. Was never offered any warranty agreement. I will probably get a new one this year anyway. Just have to make more room.
 
Mike Labbe said:
Robert,

First of all, Welcome to the "G". Congrats on your first post! :)

Wally gave great advice.

We no longer have our Wizard 8000, but upgraded the computer at least 4 times over the years. We used to retire the front counter POS computer to serve as the Wizard computer, every 2 or 3 years, and get a new one for the front counter.

I suggest using a computer with the latest Windows 10, 64 bit version. 8-16gb memory and a 512tb or higher hard drive are good goals. It doesn't have to be an expensive PC.

Wizard upgraded the drivers, so even the older (tan) driver packs will work fine with Windows 8, 8.1, and Windows 10. (I only suggest Windows 10!)

You will need to get a current version of the software from Wizard, as well. Mat Designer was actually retired several years ago, and replaced with a completely re-written product. The FrameShop software initially only ran on the newer Wizard CMCs, but now they are upgrading older CMCs that used Mat Designer. MatDesigner and FrameShop both require activation codes when installed on a new computer (a string of letters and numbers), which are good for one time use. You'll need to contact Wizard for advice, support, activation code, and to make a decision if you want the final MatDesigner release, or the newer product that is improved regularly.

They will advise, but one thing that always worked well for me in the past was to copy the Wizard program folder over FIRST. This way it preserved all of the previously saved job files and imported the board calibrations from the old computer to the new. If you otherwise start with a clean copy, you'll have to "dial it back in" with a bunch of adjustments for each type of cut. Every cmc is unique in how it is calibrated for perfect cuts.

Another tip, if you bought it outright and aren't on a corner/leasing program, is to keep the old computer as a "backup". In the event of a system failure, we always had the option to plug the old computer in to be back online in a few minutes. (with older software) It gave peace of mind to have a backup plan.

Best of luck!
Mike Labbe
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot, Mike.
Looks like I have to just get in contact with Wizard and take it from there.
 
As it seems Mike and Wally have answered this question, we delve into story time.

About 6 years ago we purchased a second hand Wizard 8000.
It was run by a Windows XP box.
We had to spend a few hundred to get the license transferred to our new account.

About 3.5 years ago we got a new computer (Win 10) to run Frame Ready, and hooked up the Wizard to this new machine.
This upgrade allowed us to get the latest (at the time) Wizard software.
No charge.

At the beginning of March 2020 our Wizard started acting funny.
Things were really busy for us at the time, so I had no time to do maintanence on the machine, until the shutdown of late March.
I was cutting all mats with a C&H, while my staff preferred the Wizard.
Turns out the Driver Pack had failed.
Wizard gave me a few options.
One was to buy a Driver Pack outright for about $4,000.
Another was to get a service plan at $100 a month (minimum 12 months).
If memory service this would allow us to buy the part for $1,000, or wait a month, and the part would be free.
We waited the month, during shutdown.

Around September of 2020, our store had a flood.
A few weeks later our computer ceased to function.
Turns out the flood had affected it, but it had shown no signs until a reboot.
A new computer was bought, and Wizard helped us reinstall MatDesigner.
Should we have gotten the newer program, or is it not usable for Wizard 8000?

Brian
 
alacrity8 said:
Very odd.
I posted that message 2 days ago.
Just loaded.
Click to expand...

If the post/reply button isn't received, it does save a "draft" for a few days. I suspect that was the case. It will populate the editor with the previous content, when this is the case.

A new computer was bought, and Wizard helped us reinstall MatDesigner.
Should we have gotten the newer program, or is it not usable for Wizard 8000?
Click to expand...

Most folks probably opt to keep things as they were, because it is a fairly major upgrade and they are used to it. Functionally, the workflow is very similar, but it is a re-write and I think even on a different platform.

I suspect that both are options, as long as the computer meets the minimum requirements (Windows 10 64 bit, with enough ram and disk space) Both software products will get the job done! :)

This would be a question best directed to Wizard support.
 
Mike,
When I checked the Grumble today, I had to re login.
I have it set to stay logged in.
I guess the system logged me out about the time I tried to post the comment.
 
wpfay said:
I bought mine outright as well. The cost of replacement parts is one reason I have always maintained a warranty agreement with Wizard. I have had to replace the head 4 times, the gantry twice, and the gantry pneumatic control valves a couple times as well. All parts are covered including the surgical hose edge clamps. They fail and I get a fresh set in 2 days, all costs covered.
Click to expand...

Which Wizard did you buy , I’m interested because I’m about to buy a new Wizard and this is my second . Going to retire the overworked Wizard 8000 switchblade .
I’m interested because I’m trying to decide between the new Wizard and the new Gunnar and would welcome all opinions
Cheers Jeff
 
I bought the 8000 16 years ago this coming Tuesday. It is still going strong.
Wizard is selling refurbished 8000s, but if I were looking for a new CMC I would look at their new Z models and the Valliani machines. The Gunnars are a bit beyond my reach, and possibly overkill for my needs, though they do have a solid presence in Australia.
 
Thanks for sharing Gunnar almost matched the price of the z machine but i am leaning towards the Z more because we know the software than anything Happy Framing
 
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