Frequently Asked Questions

Computer Hardware & Software Requirements

Q: What are the system requirements for ACD/Labs products?

A: The requirements will vary depending on the type of products purchased:

Desktop Products

Operating System

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional with SP4 or above
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP2 or above
  • Microsoft Windows Vista
  • Microsoft Windows 7 (some non-critical issues exist and are being addressed)

Hardware

  • Recommended requirements of the operating system used (please refer to the manufacture for these specifications) plus
  • A minimum of 1GB or RAM memory (unless otherwise specified)
  • 7.5 GB local disk space for installation and log files
  • Note: Processor requirements will vary by application and use; disk space requirements for user data files will vary by application and use

Server Products

Operating System

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional with SP4 or above
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP2 or above
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server with SP4 or above
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP1 or above
  • Microsoft Windows Vista

Hardware

  • Recommended requirements of the operating system used (please refer to the manufacturer for these specifications) plus
  • A minimum of 1GB or RAM memory (unless otherwise specified)
  • 1.5 GB local disk space for installation and log files

Moreover, the server housing the program files can be any type of file server with the following requirements:

  • The file server must be visible through the network via Windows Explorer
  • The folder with the ACD/Labs package should be located on a mapped drive (the drive with the client installed)
  • The bandwidth between the server and clients must be at least 10 Mbit/s
  • The installation directory on the file server must be writeable by the user performing the client installation at this time; after installation, permissions may be set to read-only

ACD/License Server

Operating System

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional with SP4 or above
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP2 or above
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server with SP4 or above
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP1 or above
  • Microsoft Windows Vista

Hardware

  • Recommended requirements of the operating system used (please refer to the manufacturer for these specifications)
  • A minimum of 512 MB of RAM memory
  • 7MB of free disk space for installation
  • Has a fixed IP address (i.e., is not a laptop)
  • Has TCP/IP protocol installed

Q: Does your software run on a Mac?

A: ACD/Labs software does not run natively on a Mac. All options for running ACD/Labs software require an installation of Windows in a native or virtualized environment. The available options depend mainly on the age of the hardware that you now own. Newer Intel®-based Macs have more options available to them.

  1. The most robust method that we have tested is the Apple BootCamp software for Intel-based Macs. This will require a reboot, and a registered copy of Windows XP Professional or later.
  2. Parallels Desktop for Mac offers ACD/labs software compatibility for Intel-based Mac computers. Since is it a virtualization tool, Parallels Desktop allows users to open ACD/Labs software alongside their current Mac OS applications. The method also requires a registered copy of Windows XP Professional or later.
  3. VMware Fusion is a similar product to Parallels. Since is it a virtualization tool, VMware Fusion allows users to open ACD/Labs software alongside their current Mac OS applications. The method also requires a registered copy of Windows XP Professional or later
  4. CrossOver Mac allows you to install many popular Windows applications and games on your Intel OS X Mac. CrossOver includes an easy to use, single click interface, which makes installing Windows software simple and fast. Once installed, your application integrates seamlessly in OS X. Just click and run your application directly from the OS X Finder. Clicking a Windows file or document—including email attachments—will launch the appropriate Windows program, allowing you to work on the files. Best of all, you do it all easily and affordably, without needing a Microsoft operating system license. Only ACD/ChemSketch Freeware has been found to be compatible with this software. No support is offered for this configuration.

Q: Does your software run on Linux?

A: Only the following products are available for running natively on Linux: ACD/PhysChem Batch, ACD/Name Batch, and ACD/Name-To-Structure Batch. The products are command line only and do not have a GUI. All other ACD/Labs products do not run natively on Linux. All options for running ACD/Labs software require an installation of Windows in a native or virtualized environment.

  1. VMware offers a variety of solutions for running virtual machines. These allow users to open ACD/Labs software alongside their current Linux applications. This method requires a registered copy of Windows XP Professional or later.
  2. CrossOver Linux allows you to install many popular Windows productivity applications, plug-ins, and games in Linux, without needing a Microsoft Operating System license. CrossOver includes an easy to use, single click interface, which makes installing a Windows application simple and fast. Once installed, your application integrates seamlessly with your Gnome or KDE environment. Just click and run your application, exactly as you would in Windows, but with the full freedom of Linux. Only ACD/ChemSketch Freeware has been found to be compatible with this software. No support is offered for this configuration.