Installing older programs on Windows 7

[Mykal]

First of all, your website is fantastic - with very percise answeres and advice...but I still can't find my answer

I am a newbie - and may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to platforms, hardware etc ( I just run applications)


I have some very old programs that were written almost a decade ago (that have substantial thermodynamic models, that have been empirically corrected)... that are no longer supported by the developer, but work perfectly on various MS platforms including XP (never tried vista)

To stay compatible with "the real world" i purchased a

• Sony VAIO (laptop model VPCEB18FD)
• running windows Home Premium
• processor is Intel(R) Core(Tm) i5 CPU M520@ 2.40GHz 2.40 GHz
• 4.00GB Installed memory (RAM)
• 64-bit Operating System
• with no pen or touch input

(to assure I had enough processing capability to run latest version of MS Office.

When I go to install my older programs.... it will not even attempt to install... and i get the following message:

This version of the file is not compatible with the version of windows you are running. Check your computers information to see whether you need x86(32-bit) or x64(64-bit) version of the program and then contact the software publisher....

Another program gets about 2/3s of the way through the installation process, and then just stops stating that
it can not be installed at this time (without any further assistance/hints/clues anything).

I have attempted to use the compatibilty checker, the troubleshooter etc, tried virtually very "configuration" available for the advanced compatibility - but still end up with the same results...

ANY HINTS TO HOW TO PROCEED ( I AM GUESSING THAT THIS IS A X64 VS. X86 ISSUE - BUT DO NOT EVEN KNOW IF I CAN CHANGE BETWEEN HOW THE TWO OPTIONS

Thank you very much for your time

 

[smsff7]

Which ver of MS Office are you installing? Are you trying for office 2007 or have a RC of office 2010 I am running Office 2003 with no problem (which is the not latest, but it works).

 

[Tews]

Why not dual boot with xp/vista and have the best of both worlds??

 

[Mykal]

Why not dual boot with xp/vista and have the best of both worlds??

Is this the same as VBox (recommended by someone else)?...

I have to run both my MS Office programs and "older programs" at the same time - and transfer over information from one application to the other..... (so will I be able to do t his with "dual boot"

Even dumber question.... (my PC's come fully loaded from the store)

I assume I would just transfer over my MS XP license / software from my now "abandoned" computer to my new computer.... but somehow I don't think it is just that easy - do I have to contact MicroSoft to faciliate transfering licenses?

 

[MelloMal8806]

I am also having trouble with installing older programs. I have a couple of old Barbie games that I'm trying to install for my niece, but I can't get them to install. When I put the CDs in, the auto run comes up, but clicking the install button doesn't do anything. I tried using the Program Compatibility troubleshooter, but it didn't do anything. My OS is Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Does anybody have any suggestions?

 

[seavixen32]

Your best bet would be to dual-boot Windows 7 and Windows XP, and then run the older programs under Windows XP.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

I was also going to suggest Virtual PC and XP Mode, but as you don't have Windows 7 Professional you can't use that method.