X86 versus X64

[stinkpot]

My new X64 laptop will not run programs transferred from my old X86 based computers. The current program sources are also X86 based with no alternative. Is there any way that the X86 programs can be adapted to X64 processors? My new computer is HP, whereas the old ones are Toshiba, I have never had this problem before between different computer manufacturers. Any comments or ideas, thanks. S.P.

 

[Kirsch]

Try Right Clicking the program and choose Properties > Choose the Compatibility Tab > Check the box and the dropdown to Vista Service Pack 2

 

[stinkpot]

Thanks Kirsch, the drop down only shows vista sp1 and vista sp2 options, there is no X86 option, and the sp1 or sp2 make no difference. However, I do note that under the C file list there are two lists of programs, 'programs' and 'programs X86", the latter includes a different list, so apparently the computer will handle the X86. This is my first experience with this kind of problem. Any more ideas, thanks, S.P.

 

[Lordbob75]

stinkpot, the x86 OS installs programs to the Program Files directory. The x64 OS installes x32 programs to the Program Files (x86) directory, which does NOT line up.

You WILL have to reinstall your programs to get them to work correctly.

Your x32 programs WILL run on a x64 OS, but they need to be installed in the Programs Files (x86) directory. A simple reinstall will fix all this.

~Lordbob

 

[Dwarf]

Hi stinkpot and welcome to Windows 7 Forums

What are the programs in question? How old are they? Are you installing them, or merely copying them over?

 

[FliGi7]

How were these programs "transferred"? By the sound of it, it seems like you just copied the files over, rather than re-installed them on the new system. However, I'd like to clarify this.

 

[Kirsch]

Thanks Kirsch, the drop down only shows vista sp1 and vista sp2 options, there is no X86 option, and the sp1 or sp2 make no difference. However, I do note that under the C file list there are two lists of programs, 'programs' and 'programs X86", the latter includes a different list, so apparently the computer will handle the X86. This is my first experience with this kind of problem. Any more ideas, thanks, S.P.

Ahh, gotcha. You'll have to re-install the programs

 

[stinkpot]

Thanks for the replies,
these are old programs dragged from a flash drive at present. I tried dragging the package of files to the X86 file but they still will not open. These old files are X86 so one would assume that they should go into the X86 file, is that not correct? Thanks, S.P.

 

[Lordbob75]

Thanks for the replies,
these are old programs dragged from a flash drive at present. I tried dragging the package of files to the X86 file but they still will not open. These old files are X86 so one would assume that they should go into the X86 file, is that not correct? Thanks, S.P.

To reiterate:
YOU MUST reinstall the program for it to work AT ALL.

~Lordbob

 

[FliGi7]

^^^ What he said.

Unless it is a portable program, which I believe is safe to say at this point none of them are.

 

[Dwarf]

Only programs that are self-contained and make no changes to your system registry can be installed and run in this manner. If the program makes changes to the registry, then it needs actually installing on the HDD prior to it being run.

 

[stinkpot]

Hi again,
these are small programs that long ago came on a CD or floppy, and consist of 6 or more small files. When all of the files are moved to a new computer, opening the 'application' has always picked up the dlls etc and I guess installed the whole package whenever the application is opened. The programs always appear on the hard drive only as the 6 individual files, and a shortcut can be made to the application. However, when I downloaded current versions of the program, which one would expect to go to the correct location, the download would not open, advising the same incompatibility as the dragged file. ?? S.P.

 

[DeaconFrost]

If these are old, 16-bit programs, they won't run on an x64 OS system. That's what XP Mode was created for. If it was me, I'd set up XP Mode or any other VM software, and run them in an XP VM.

Then again, you seem unwilling to give the names pf any of these apps, so we can only guess.

 

[Dwarf]

Hi again,
these are small programs that long ago came on a CD or floppy, and consist of 6 or more small files. When all of the files are moved to a new computer, opening the 'application' has always picked up the dlls etc and I guess installed the whole package whenever the application is opened. The programs always appear on the hard drive only as the 6 individual files, and a shortcut can be made to the application. However, when I downloaded current versions of the program, which one would expect to go to the correct location, the download would not open, advising the same incompatibility as the dragged file. ?? S.P.

Give an example of one of these programs and where you can download it from, and I'll take a look.