How to uses old basic programs in W7-64 ?

[adrisoares]

I am a designer in a heavy springs factory, and in the past I have created many programs to help me with stress, weights and parabolic calculations using QBASIC. Up to Windows XP I had no problems even though some of the programs take over the entire screen. Today I received the top-of-the-art computer, a DELL with Windows 7 - 64bits installed, and none of the programs work.
Is there as easy way, like a boot in a different partition with XP or a DOS emulator to go around this problem ? Otherwise I will have to buy a small notebook just for those programs.

TIA for any help

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Investigate "compatibility mode".

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

 

[adrisoares]

Thnx a lot

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You may find that some of your older applications won't even install on 64 bit. Particularly those with 16-bit installation programs. But if they have 32-bit installation programs, they should at least install OK.

I'm assuming you do NOT have Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate.

Those 2 versions support something called "XP Mode", which is NOT the same as compatibility mode.

XP Mode is quite complex, but includes a free copy of Windows XP, among other things. XP Mode must be downloaded and used as part of "virtualization". You could certainly then run any XP program through virtualization. But it is complex, not particularly fast, and not particularly user-friendly.

I mention it only as a last resort if all else fails. You can upgrade to Professional or Ultimate to get XP Mode through Windows Anytime Upgrade.

 

[mjf]

If you programmed the calculations in basic yourself then I'd be tempted to skip the emulation/DOS etc route and use a Basic interpreter running directly under windows 7.
Do a Google search on "QBasic for windows 7" - there appears to be a number of free Basic Interpreters/Compilers out there.

 

[acurasd]

If you can't get Virtual to work... by all means, you feel comforable about it... Duel boot Win 7 and Win XP 32 bit

 

[Dwarf]

You might find this thread from the QB64 Forums useful (it lists the various releases of QB64, including the current one V0.923 released 3rd December 2010): Windows

 

[KremmenUK]

Slightly off track but would Excel provide a route to these calculations ?