Solved Can you convert a 32 bit software disk to operate on a 64 bit system

[Steve Russell]

I have an old accounting program disk that will work on Windows 95 (32 bit). I now have a new Dell laptop with Windows 7 Professonal installed and it has a 64-bit operating system. Is there any way to make the program disk work on my 64 bit system.

 

[boohbah]

Hi and welcome to sevenforums steve,
try installing it and then run it in compatibility mode . tutorial here...

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/316-compatibility-mode.html

 

[LittleJay]

I have successfully installed older 32bit programs on my Windows 764bit system. Windows 7 is pretty about letting a person run older software. What I usually do is create a system image of my computer first, so then if the old program does create problems I can put my Windows installation back to the way it was.

 

[Steve Russell]

Hi Boohbah
Thanks for your reply. I can't install it. When I put the disk in and then click on the setup file, a window pops up saying: "This version of this file is not compatable with the version of Windows you are running. Check your computer system information to see whether you need an x86(32-bit) or x64(64-bit) version of the program and then contact the software publisher". I have already checked with the publisher (COSMI). There is no newer version of this program, all they publish now are games.

 

[bassfisher6522]

I don't think is a bit issue, rather an issue with what type of OS is will run on. Some older software was specifically designed to work with one type of OS and just won't work with any modern OS. Which forces the user to buy the software for the next OS generation. It's cheaper for the company to do so.

 

[Alejandro85]

Hi Boohbah
Thanks for your reply. I can't install it. When I put the disk in and then click on the setup file, a window pops up saying: "This version of this file is not compatable with the version of Windows you are running. Check your computer system information to see whether you need an x86(32-bit) or x64(64-bit) version of the program and then contact the software publisher". I have already checked with the publisher (COSMI). There is no newer version of this program, all they publish now are games.

That's the typical message that popups for 16 bits software, which runs properly on x86 but x64 versions of Windows refuse to run them. Most likely it's a 16 bits program really, and Windows has absolutely no support for it, or at least the installer is 16 bits, while the rest is 32 bits.
You may try a virtual machine, installing it there, and either running there or try to migrate to the real system.

 

[Steve Russell]

Hi Alejandro85
Thank you for the info, but I am a novice! Can you tell me "what" a virtual machine is and "how/where" to get one?

 

[Pedroc1999]

A virtual machine is basicly a full-featured OS emulator, It can operate as an OS and has no interaction with the host computer unless you tell it to, The most popular and free Virtual machone is VirtualBox

https://www.virtualbox.org/

Could you also update your system specs for any issues in the future

 

[Steve Russell]

Hi Pedroc1999
Thanks for the info. I will go there and check it out/give it a try. Thanks!

 

[Pedroc1999]

Baring in mind you will need an .ISO file to run the OS from. Just google the os you want and add a .iso to the end

 

[strollin]

If that accounting program was written for Windows 95, it's definitely a 16-bit program, not 32-bit.

The problem with setting up a virtual machine is that you need another OS and product key (it's essentially a separate machine) so VirtualBox may not be the right answer for you.

You're in luck however, since you have Win 7 Pro, you can download XP Mode from Microsoft which is a virtual machine complete with a fully licensed copy of XP. Download Windows XP Mode

 

[Pedroc1999]

I agree Strollin but wouldnt the xp mode be running windows xp x64 as the host is also x64?

 

[MilesAhead]

XP mode may work. But if it's 16 bit for win9x chances are it may actually be Dos based. I would try DosBox. It's free. No product key.

 

[Pedroc1999]

But it would be good to know exactly the os it is compaitabke with by checking its website/manual/read me

 

[Steve Russell]

Thanks to all of you guys for the info and tips. I will check out the DOSBOX and the XP mode. I can't find a read me file. However, some of the files on the disk were created in "1980". I purchased it in 2000. The only instructions/manual are the installation instructions. There are two sets of installation instructions, one for Windows 3.1, 3.11, or NT 3.5x. The second set of instructions are for Windows 95 or NT4.0. At the time, I was using either Windows 95 or 98, don't remember exactly what I had at that time.