Windows 7: "not valid win32 application" error

Win 7 Home Premium, new HP laptop, 32 bit, Pentium Dual Core

Installing applications, including ones that say they are Win 7 compatible, I get "not valid win32 application". Letting the system adjust compatibility does no good.

I got Visual Studio 2005 installed with a banner at the end about "compatibility issues", and then got that error on all attempts to update. I've erased that and have ordered VS2010. Instrument drivers that a client will need also give me that error, even though they are supposed to be good for Win 7.



This is my first Win 7 machine, have stayed with Win XP Pro up to now. My client is going to need Win 7. I hate to force him to go back to Win XP mode.

Will I have to upgrade to Win 7 Pro and run in XP mode? Or is there a way to make "compatibility mode" really do something useful?

Hi jey2,
Welcome to Seven Forums.

You normally get this when installing a 64bit version of software on a 32bit operating system, can you confirm that the software you are installing is supposed to be 32bit compatible?

Regards,
JDobbsy1987

I will have to confirm that with the vendor of the software. It is supposed to be compatible with Win XP, Win 2000, Vista, and Win 7, so I assumed it would be 32 bit. I will have to talk to the vendor.

Thanx for the thought.

No problem, let us know if you need any help on this or any other questions you may have.

There is a lot of people on here always happy to help

Regards,
JDobbsy1987

The CPU will handle 64 bit but the Win 7 installed on the laptop is only 32 bit. Would I be wise to upgrade the operating system to 64 bit Win 7 Pro?

I would stick with 32bit if that's what you already have installed, reinstalling the OS seems more than its worth for an application as there should be a 32bit version of that software, if there is not then installing 64 bit maybe the way to go but see if you can get a 32bit first

Regards
JDobbsy1987