"not valid win32 application" error

[jey2]

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?

 

[JDobbsy1987]

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

 

[jey2]

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.

 

[JDobbsy1987]

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

 

[jey2]

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?

 

[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