Windows 7 64 bit - problems running old programs

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

tomcee

2011-10-28 16:19:30 UTC

I have been using quite a few old programs which have run just fine
under all versions of windows up through XP and some on Vista.

Now, with my Win7/64bit machine, they will not run and the
compatibility assistant is not helping.
(A few examples are QBASIC, Power Basic, some old .exe and .com
utilities)

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your helpful suggestions,
TomC

Char Jackson

2011-10-28 16:28:52 UTC

Permalink

On Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:19:30 -0700 (PDT), tomcee

Post by tomcee
I have been using quite a few old programs which have run just fine
under all versions of windows up through XP and some on Vista.
Now, with my Win7/64bit machine, they will not run and the
compatibility assistant is not helping.
(A few examples are QBASIC, Power Basic, some old .exe and .com
utilities)
Any suggestions?

The problem appears to be that you're trying to run 16-bit
applications on a 64-bit system. As I understand it, 64-bit Windows
can run 64-bit and 32-bit applications, while 32-bit Windows can run
32-bit and 16-bit applications.

One way to overcome the problem is to run a virtual 32-bit system
inside your native 64-bit system. If you're running Win 7 Ultimate
(and perhaps one or two other of the higher end Win 7 editions) you
have access to a virtual XP Mode. This allows you to run XP within Win
7, giving you access to your old 16-bit apps.

If your edition of Win 7 doesn't include XP Mode, you can do the same
by using 3rd party VM (virtual machine) tools. I haven't used any of
them and have no specific recommendations, but if you swing by
alt.windows7.general they've discussed VM solutions there several
times.

tomcee

2011-10-28 21:17:49 UTC

Permalink

Post by Char Jackson
On Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:19:30 -0700 (PDT), tomcee

The problem appears to be that you're trying to run 16-bit
applications on a 64-bit system. As I understand it, 64-bit Windows
can run 64-bit and 32-bit applications, while 32-bit Windows can run
32-bit and 16-bit applications.
One way to overcome the problem is to run a virtual 32-bit system
inside your native 64-bit system. If you're running Win 7 Ultimate
(and perhaps one or two other of the higher end Win 7 editions) you
have access to a virtual XP Mode. This allows you to run XP within Win
7, giving you access to your old 16-bit apps.
If your edition of Win 7 doesn't include XP Mode, you can do the same
by using 3rd party VM (virtual machine) tools. I haven't used any of
them and have no specific recommendations, but if you swing by
alt.windows7.general they've discussed VM solutions there several
times.

Thank you; I'll try that.
(couldn't find a win7 group, but will try the xp group)

TomC

tomcee

2011-10-28 22:21:47 UTC

Permalink

Post by tomcee

Post by Char Jackson
On Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:19:30 -0700 (PDT), tomcee

The problem appears to be that you're trying to run 16-bit
applications on a 64-bit system. As I understand it, 64-bit Windows
can run 64-bit and 32-bit applications, while 32-bit Windows can run
32-bit and 16-bit applications.
One way to overcome the problem is to run a virtual 32-bit system
inside your native 64-bit system. If you're running Win 7 Ultimate
(and perhaps one or two other of the higher end Win 7 editions) you
have access to a virtual XP Mode. This allows you to run XP within Win
7, giving you access to your old 16-bit apps.
If your edition of Win 7 doesn't include XP Mode, you can do the same
by using 3rd party VM (virtual machine) tools. I haven't used any of
them and have no specific recommendations, but if you swing by
alt.windows7.general they've discussed VM solutions there several
times.

Thank you; I'll try that.
(couldn't find a win7 group, but will try the xp group)
TomC- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

Erik Vastmasd

2011-10-29 02:35:16 UTC

Permalink

Post by tomcee

Post by Char Jackson
On Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:19:30 -0700 (PDT), tomcee

The problem appears to be that you're trying to run 16-bit
applications on a 64-bit system. As I understand it, 64-bit Windows
can run 64-bit and 32-bit applications, while 32-bit Windows can run
32-bit and 16-bit applications.
One way to overcome the problem is to run a virtual 32-bit system
inside your native 64-bit system. If you're running Win 7 Ultimate
(and perhaps one or two other of the higher end Win 7 editions) you
have access to a virtual XP Mode. This allows you to run XP within Win
7, giving you access to your old 16-bit apps.
If your edition of Win 7 doesn't include XP Mode, you can do the same
by using 3rd party VM (virtual machine) tools. I haven't used any of
them and have no specific recommendations, but if you swing by
alt.windows7.general they've discussed VM solutions there several
times.

Thank you; I'll try that.
(couldn't find a win7 group, but will try the xp group)

Try 'alt.windows7.general' it gets plenty of support.

--
Erik