Installation Help for techno-moron. please

• Aug 3, 2021 - 11:56

Hi
This is the first time I've stumbled my way onto this platform.
I'm aging, retired, poor, useless with technology and a social media non-user.
A friend installed Sibelius on my computer years ago, which I've used for writing and arranging choral music, but I need to change my laptop and to move away from expense like Sibelius on the new one.
I've tried three times to install MuseScore, but after the Wizard starts I get an error message that the route isn't supported (????) and then eventually telling me that the older version of MuseScore can't be removed from my computer (to the best of my knowledge, I don't have one - there's certainly nothing appears in Apps in Settings)
Please help - I'd love to try out MuseScore, write some arrangements, edit them on a tablet when the urge takes me when away from home, and maybe even upload some (they've helped us win BBC Choir of the Year at the Albert Hall, and provide backing for Pavarotti in Hyde Park, so can't be too crap, I hope!!!)
I don't know if you're allowed to contact me directly - if so, I'm chrismallinson1@gmail.com - or I'll try to find this forum again.
HEEEEELP!!!!


Comments

In reply to by chrismallinso

Apparently at one point in time you did have MuseScore 3.4.2 installed (and probably still have)
Not the new installer tries to remove that but needs the old installer for that. Grab it from https://github.com/musescore/MuseScore/releases/tag/v3.4.2 (get the MuseScore-3.4.2-x86_64.msi) and then point the 3.6.2 installer at its location.
Or use that MuseScore-3.4.2-x86_64.msi to uninstall it, then install 3.6.2

In reply to by kuwitt

Many, many thanks to you folks!! - I now have MuseScore up and running and updated, too!
Mind you, I can't find the 'test' score I've just scribbled on (it doesn't appear in the Muse3/scores file) and can't seem to get my Sib7 to convert any files to musicXML, and this old laptop gives 'not responding' as its first response to anything at all!!!!,
BUT - it's a fine start, and I'll get there (advance warning...) with a little help.
Step 2 - find money for new laptop, then onwards and upwards, some time between mid-September and Christmas sales, according to my bank balance.
Cheers,
Chris

In reply to by chrismallinso

Chris,

Welcome to MuseScore. I think you will find that it will meet your needs. Don't forget to spend some time in the manual. It will answer most of your questions. There are differences between MuseScore and Sibelius.

Speaking of which, you might not need to give up on Sibelius. Especially if you still need it to convert your scores for use in MuseScore. If you are getting many Not Responding errors, it might be because of lack of resources. Perhaps you only have 4 GB of ram. Or have a browser with several things open. Or have a HHD that for some reason goes to %100 usage mode. This happens a lot to old style HHD. Or all of the above happen at once. It's happened to me. That said, your computer might only need some cleanup. Like deleting temp files, clearing the browser cache, registry cleaning. I see someone put a suite of apps on your computer that contains Ccleaner. Ccleaner works really well.

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for buying a new computer. But if money is a problem, getting your old one running well has some benefits. Not the least of which is that you learn some basic computer care skills. As a fellow old guy (although I can't afford to retire) I can tell you that a good way to keep your brain working is to learn and use new things.

Anyway, keep up the good work.

PS. I also have Sibelius7. It's not easy, but it can be transferred to a new computer.

In reply to by bobjp

Thanks
I've tried (CCleaner, auto) cleaning the registry and slimmed down the start-up apps as best I can (learning as I go, believe me - I've googled and now been much deeper into the heart of this machine, without understanding any of the jargon, than I think was sensible!!)
I had a little play in MuseScore too - seems lovely so far, but I've not really done much beyond input staves, voice, time and key sigs and some notes/rests, so I know it will take me a goodly time to get proficient (it takes me forever to write anyway, so it won't be a new experience.
Now I have to hope that choir members want to sing again after lockdowns and pandemic scary-ness, otherwise there'll be no need or purpose for any writing or arranging.
Thanks for the warm welcome,
Cheers,
Chris

In reply to by chrismallinso

I believe that composing music fulfills two basic needs. One is to create music for live performance. Absolutely. But I do it mostly as therapy. Some people knit or sit on the beach. I compose. That might sound like I don't take it seriously. But I do my very best on every piece.

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