Windows 7: Windows 7 Compatibility Mode - Advice?

Greetings...

I have convertered 4 out of the 5 machines on my network to Windows 7 and I have one computer that interfaces with my Teac 24 Track Recording Unit (Model 2488). The software I have to manage this interface (and do other mixing-type things) was written in the Windows XP days and ran fine on XP for many years, however the company that makes the software sold their holdings and are no longer around, so there are no Windows 7 upgrades for versions.

I have been trying to use Compatibility mode to run this software and though it always starts up and works for a while, eventually it just well, "goes away". That is, it doesnt crash with any error message or anything it just disappears and runs no longer.

The XP machine I have (and kept just in case) still runs this software fairly well, but when I put any of the Windows 7 machines in matching Compatibility mode (Win XP SP 3), I still get this crash.

As you might imagine, its a real pain in the backside.

I am wondering if anyone has any general advice about running this older sofware on Windows 7. Is there any way or any 'trick' I can use to make it a bit more stable? It seems to me thus far that 'Compatibility mode' is kind of a deceptive phrase - that is it might be better stated "Might-be compatible mode" would be more accurate.

I've searched the web for potential answers but as yet found nothing that really works very well.

Any of you know-far-more-than-me Wizards have any suggestions on something like this?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Your system specs list Ultimate, have you tried XP Mode?

Windows XP Mode - Install and Setup

A Guy

A. Guy,

Thanks very much for that tip - I will give it a try shortly! I really appreciate your suggestion - hadnt seen anything like in my web search. Will let you and the forum know how it goes.

Thanks again!

- Andy

Hi A Guy,

I said I would follow up, so here it is... First, thanks very much for your tip on VPC XP Mode. Clearly, this is the only route that is going to work for me. That mode allowed me to install the older software and it did successfully communicate with my 2488 recording studio. There is a bit of a lag in that, and the screen display takes a few seconds to refresh, but I have a connection there so thats the big thing.

The tough part, clearly, is the failure of so many to accept Windows 7. I had to go back to some old drivers after learning that new ones are not going to be produced by one company, and then another company whose software I use in this journey has stated flatly, they will not produce a Win 7 or 8 version. I talked to a support guy who said they are centering their work around Apple stuff and pretty much giving up on Windows.

But these things aside, your help was vital and I deeply appreciate it. Obviously, at some point, I will have to go Apple as clearly Creative Labs is moving away from music production and focusing on games, and Microsoft, well, whatever some other company does that succeeds, thats where they will go. As usual...

Thanks very much for your advice and help, it was vital!

- AndyF

Well, that's very kind of you Andy. I'm glad we could help

A Guy