not sure if program will run with 32 bit win 7

[ron2368]

I have a program that I need to use and it dates back to 1997. Currently I use it on win xp and it is works fine. I have tried to load it in win 7 64 bit and I cant. If I purchase a win 7 32 bit is that going to allow me to use this program or the chances I can use it with win 7 good? thanks

 

[UberNeuman]

...and the program being what?

\pro tip - letting everyone know the program you're having problems with, will help out....

 

[Evander]

You should say what happens when you try to run it. If it's a 16-bit app, it might run on Win 7 32 bit but not Win 7 64 bit and if you tried it would give you an error message. But maybe Win 7 Pro 64 bit could run it b/c it has an XP compatibility mode

 

[corkyg]

The free Microsoft XP VM may work.

 

[ron2368]

It is omega research - supercharts, I didnt put it down since most have never heard of it. I figured if 7-32 bit was generally like xp, I would give it a try.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

You should say what happens when you try to run it. If it's a 16-bit app, it might run on Win 7 32 bit but not Win 7 64 bit and if you tried it would give you an error message. But maybe Win 7 Pro 64 bit could run it b/c it has an XP compatibility mode

That would be my knee-jerk reaction too. It might run on Win7 x32, if you play around with compatibility settings. But then again it might not. An XP Virtual Machine would properly be the safe bet, that way you do not have to worry about compatibility since XP is fully compatible with XP.

 

[ron2368]

The setup program will not run on 7-64 , i get a windows message that does not allow install, says not compatible.

 

[Evander]

It's possible that the application was 32-bit but the installer was 16-bit and that's why it's not installing. You could try copying the program's folder from a computer it's currently installed on onto the 64 bit system and try running and testing it from there. Seems like programs from those days were more flexible in allowing that - I think even Microsoft Office 95, 97, and maybe even 2000 could be copied from one installation to another and still work.

Here's something that might come in handy (though I haven't tested it myself): how to "emulate" Windows 98 w/ Microsoft Virtual PC: http://snesorama.us/board/showthread.php?35391-Guide-On-how-to-emulate-Windows98-on-a-new-system

 

[xSauronx]

It is omega research - supercharts,

holy decades, dude, that shit is 20 years old
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TradeStation

 

[UberNeuman]

As others have mentioned using the Win XP VM, I offer this - now mind you, I've only used it for old games that fail to run so I can't testify to if your program will work in it....

I've been using it on a Win 7 64-bit system with no problems.

Digiex Exclusive: Premade Windows 98 Virtual Machine

Best of luck to you..

 

[Robyn]

I am still using this ancient Supercharts program. For 3 reasons. First - I own it (many current programs are "rental" only or cost a ton of money). Second - I have decades worth of compatible data (some going back to the 1930's). Third - it works for me .*

I - like the OP (and others) - tried to get the program to run on Windows 7. And it wouldn't. The primary problem had to do with graphics compatibility. And - although some gamers who liked old games were able to find workarounds in Windows 7 (I read many obscure computer gamer discussions at the time) - none of those workarounds worked here.

Anyway - I uninstalled Windows 7 (it came pre-installed in my newest computer) and went back to Windows XP. And I'm still using Windows XP. Support for XP has been discontinued. And that newest XP computer (a 5+ year old Thinkpad) is getting cranky. So I installed the program on an even older Thinkpad that I don't use for anything else. So far - so good - but for how long? Hardware doesn't last forever.

I really don't know much about operating systems. Is there any reason to believe that a program that didn't work in Windows 7 would work in Windows 8? Or even Windows 10? Robyn

*I tend to stick with programs if they work. I'm still running a DOS program - Managing Your Money. It did work in Windows 7 and I assume it would work in later versions of Windows if DOS is somewhere in the OS.