XP applications under Vista

[Betsy Ross]

Is there a simple way to determine whether the software programs I own will work under Vista? I need a new computer but cannot afford to upgrade all my software.

[canetoad]

1. Do you particularly want Vista

or just assume that any new machine will come with it?

If the latter, you can still get Win XP. (...and they will prise my XP from my cold dead hard drive :) )

[Betsy Ross]

2. I would prefer XP

But my guess is that I will be forced to "upgrade" at some point.

[canetoad]

3. With Windows 7 already in beta testing

It's madness for anyone to purchase Vista at this stage.

The 'forced to upgrade' thing bothers me too, especially if you have hard & software that all runs perfectly well as it is. Dammit!!! It's your computer and you can run what you damn well like on it. Do you currently own a copy of XP?

[Betsy Ross]

4. You know

if my pot looked that color I would not smoke it. Either there was something wrong with it or I had already had way too much.

[canetoad]

7. Now Betsy, I'm not quite sure how to take your post

so let me take a stab at a Yes-No type of thing.

I post with a purple cannabis leaf avatar. Does that make me:

a) A useless pothead unable to answer any coherent computer question
b) A useless pothead with weed that will make me sick because it's purple
c)A useless COLOURBLIND pothead
d) Other

I'm all ears and eyes here, because Betsy, I'm not sure I understand the subtext of your message.

[ChromeFoundry]

9. Are you tellin' me...

it's not a purple aloe plant? :shrug:

[canetoad]

10. Yep. A purple Aloe plant

[ChromeFoundry]

11. I gotta break out my red-blue 3D glasses for that!

:toast:

[canetoad]

12. Man, imagine the pain in my eyes

when i look down on it. Manage to overcome somehow lol.

[Shardik]

5. As one of the few that likes Vista, you will need to go and check

with the website of the programs you are concerned about to see if they are compatible with Vista. Many will need patches to make them work.

Good luck with your next PC!

[PennDem]

6. Vista has compatibilty mode built-in

for running some of those older programs.

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-us/help/bf416877-c83f-4476-a3da-8ec98dcf5f101033.mspx

You cannot run an antivirus app in compatibility mode though so that could require a version upgrade.

[canetoad]

8. Is that your overall requirement

To run progs in compatibility mode? Keep in mind we may not be talking about 'older' programs here, just ones that run on XP with no problems but may not run on Vista problem free.

Betsy has already poo-pooed my thoughts on upgrades (generally unnecessary) and I find it hard to believe that you are advocating av in compatibility mode.

It would be too long winded to describe here my thoughts about constant upgrades so I will summarise thus:
If it aint broke dont fix it
If it works dont upgrade
Don't upgrade because a commercial source told you to
**Most important. If you are exchanging files, only upgrade to the LEAST RECENT version upgrade that your comp will read.

No kidding mate, I'm sick to death of pple who feel they MUST buy the latest version of this or that. Computers (and sometimes a little homework at converting legacy files) will read most things. The onus is on the user to educate themself, not rely on corporate advice to go buy new....whatever.

Ultimately it comes back to you Betsy Ross. Did you really intend to diss me when you made fun of the colour of my cannabis leaf or did you not really think about what you were saying. If you wish to keep your WINXP, I have a couple of excellent strategies to enable you to keep it legitimately. Please just don't wipe me off as a stoner. OK??

[Betsy Ross]

13. I don't see how you got the impression that I called you a stoner.

I certainly made no disparaging remark about stoners. I merely mentioned my reaction to purple-leafed pot.

FWI: I'm not suburban.

[canetoad]

14. All cool Betsy

Jist trying to connect with middle aged revolutionaries like myself. Peace :)

[PennDem]

15. ????

RE canetoad: Betsy has already poo-pooed my thoughts on upgrades (generally unnecessary) and I find it hard to believe that you are advocating av in compatibility mode.


This is what I wrote. "You cannot run an antivirus app in compatibility mode though so that could require a version upgrade."

I don't see where you actually believe that I advocated running av in compatibility mode from that sentence. Quite the opposite. I agree with you that most upgrades are unnecessary. And if it is necessary, try running those non-av apps in compatibility mode first before doing said upgrade. Not all version upgrades require additional expense.