Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System 2.0 Windows 7

Catalog: Sets: Mindstorms: RCX: 3804-1

This is the introduction video to pro challenges in the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robotics Invention System 2.0 software. I think it's inspiring, so I'm sharing it wit.
LEGO set database: 3804: Robotics Invention System V2.0. Pieces 717 RRP £159.99 / $200.00 Current value New: $150 Used: $100 Price per piece 22.3p / 27.9c.
The body of the robot is compatible with Lego bricks, so students can build contraptions and inventions over the top of the robot. There is a bit of a learning curve with the Meet Edison robots, but they’re an overall good pick if you’re looking for a kit that’s user friendly and affordable.

This is LEGO MindStorms film - including sets: Robotics Invention System 1.0 9719 and 1.5 9747, Extreme Creatures 9732, RoboSports 9730 and Exploration Mars.

LegoRobotics Invention System, Version 2.0
Item No: 3804-1

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Item Info
Year Released: 2001
Weight: 2677g
Size: 55 x 32 x 11.5 cm
Instructions: Yes

Item Consists Of
717 Parts
1 Gear

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3 Sets

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Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System 2.0 Windows 7.0

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Admin added this item to the catalog on Mar 26, 2001
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nino supplied weight
Munich_Bricks supplied dimensions
Other Databases:
Rebrickable | Brickset | LUGNET
Peeron

While getting my old LegoMindstorms (an RCX 2.0 setup) set up for my little brother to play with, I learned some thigns about using it with newer versions of Windows (Windows 7 in my case). I found out here that there is a patch needed for the USB IR tower, which resolves the problem of the system locking up when the tower is plugged in. You can download it here: http://cache.lego.com/downloads/education/tower164.zip.
After installing this, things will run fine, unless you decide to use the official program and launch it more than once. At which point you will see a message like 'A critical error has occurred. You may be running out of memory, or you may needto reinstall Robotics Invention System 2.0.' The solution to this is a bit messy. There is a file left behind here
Vista/Win7:

Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System 2.0 Windows 7

Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System 2.0 Software Download

C:Users<user>AppDataLocalTempRis 2.0.mov.#res
XP: C:Documents andSettings<user>Application DataTempRis 2.0.mov.#res
This file must be deleted each time before the program is launched. What I did was create a batch script to do this, and a Visual Basic script to launch the batch script (so it could happen without launching a command prompt window).
You'll find both scripts here: https://gist.github.com/1531705
I recommend replacing all shortcuts to theLaunchRis2.exe with a shortcut to the Visual Basic script. Note that the VB script assumes you will put put the batch script in %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%LEGO MINDSTORMSlaunchRis.bat (or

%PROGRAMFILES%LEGO MINDSTORMSlaunchRis.bat on a 32 bit system), but you can easily edit the script to change the location.
Of course, this second problem is irrelevant if you decide to write the programs youself (I preferred this over the graphical tool Lego provided). There are several languages available.

Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System 2.0

Let me know if you have suggestions for improvement or run into any issues.