Windows 7: Win 7 compatibility and older games

I have just built a new machine and I am noticing that installing and playing older games with Windows 7.64 does not work most of the time.. I have of course tried the compatibility troubleshooter to no avail. Most of the time when I go to "start program" in the TS it simply does not run and there is no error message.

First time using win 7 and 64bit platform so I am not familiar with all of its nuances.
Do I have to dual boot with a friendly OS to be more backward compatible?
I really love how this machine screams now and I really don't want to put training wheels on my Porsche.



The list of games I have tried is lengthy here are a few...

Doom II
Zork Anthology
Sid Meir's Railroads
Silent Thunder

I am just wondering if there is another trick to this 64bit os to make it more friendly with the archaic software.

There a a few games that just won't run on Windows 7. I have only come across a few. However most have a compatibility work round, either from Microsoft where you search for a specific game genre and title. Known work arounds will be presented to you.
Failing that you should find help at the games web site. EG. for Doom II it would be Id software. Here I have drilled down a bit for you. Doom II page.