psychosunshine said:
...Can I only install Studio 5000 now, then install Logix5000 later if I need to open older projects? Or should I start with Logix5000 first?
You will receive varying opinions on this one, but my best advice is to at least consider installing RSLogix 5000, at which ever versions you think you will require (up to v20), on either a separate dedicated workstation machine, or in a virtual session on the same machine as Studio 5000 (Example: VMware). Install Studio 5000 on the host OS of the single machine, or dedicated machine, if considering two workstation machines. Whether choosing to segregate them or not, best practice is to install the oldest version first, up to the latest you require.
When installing both RSLogix 5000 at multiple versions, and likewise Studio 5000 multiple versions, on the same workstation, within the same Operating System, there are many nuances and subtle incompatibilities which may cause you issues with interoperability between the two software platforms and the Operating System, depending on what that is, and beyond to the wider field of automation devices. You may install them all together and they may get on famously, as some do report here is the case for them. But my experience tells me that such success is not a given. When I read members here saying things along the lines of..."I don't know what all the fuss is about?"..."It works perfectly for me with them all under the one hood?"...I would wager that they cannot tell us why, specifically, their install base works when perhaps someone else's does not? Because it tends to be a bit of an unknown or "suck-it-and-see" scenario, I would always advise users to segregate them.
For me personally, if RSLogix 5000 v20 works well with RSLinx Classic v2.59, then that is what I will continue to use and maintain as the cut-off point. I would not want to be installing the latest version (currently v4.10) on this same system just for the sake of staying current. I have not tried RSLogix 5000 v20 beyond RSLinx Classic v2.59 in a working application setting, and nor have I needed to. All I need to know is that at RSLinx Classic v3.51 there was major change which affected many users...
Another major hurdle here between the old and new can be the update at Studio 5000 v21 to the newer EDS Subsystem (Electronic Data Sheets) which is used to handle the registered EDS files for identifying and configuring devices. Certain older versions of Rockwell software will not work once the original Windows Registry based EDS system is converted to the new SQL Database system. There are several existing threads here on the Forum based on this issue alone when it comes to users possible needing to either upgrade or segregate between pre and post version 21 software environments.
It's your choice though.
Regards,
George