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Windows 7 compatibility issues

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I had a few programs which worked fine and still work fine on the XP systems. However, they don’t seem to work well on Windows 7, not on Vista either. I had supposed Windows compatibility allows programs of any age or perhaps as old as those for Windows 2000 to work on Windows 7. I had expected Windows 7 would have done a much better job than Vista in this respect but it didn’t seem to be. Perhaps I have missed something.

Definitely drivers and the like can’t be solved with the compatility feature that Windows offers. That would be the main sticking point for some people who want to use Windows 7. I hope the manufacturers will catch up quick. I couldn’t get a compatible driver for my Samsung printer ML-1710. Now I don’t know if I should keep the Windows 7 or there is a roundabout way to achieve it.

I am not too sure if virtualization could solve this problem either. My computer doesn’t have a processor with virtualization hardware. I might have to use other virtualization software which doesn’t require specific processor instead of Windows’s. I am not too sure if Virtual PC 2007 will work on Windows 7 for I understand that Virtual 2007 does not require specific processor.

The release note on Virtual 2007 says no support for using a virtual hard disk linked to a physical hard disk. Does it mean one can’t access data files on the physical disk from the virtual disk? If it does then how one could work on files on the physical disk with application on the virtual disk.

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Clarifications

In reply to Windows 7 compatibility issues

Clarifications

You could always boot from separate HDDs …

In reply to Windows 7 compatibility issues

Running Windows XP on one HDD and Windows 7 on the other. That way neither OS is interfering with the other and more importantly XP won’t be running inside a Virtual Disk.

I wish

In reply to You could always boot from separate HDDs …

I could hide all other hard disks or partitions before installing any operating system so that the installation would only go to one partition or one hard disk including the system files and boot files.

But that’s exactly what you should do …

In reply to I wish

I’ve got 3 HDDs, each with a different OS installed.

Whenever I’m installing to a particular HDD, it is always the ONLY HDD that is connected to the Primary SATA port and the other 2 HDDs are disconnected. The install routine then performs its stuff to only that HDD.

But you can only achieve this when each Drive Letter is a separate physical HDD – it’s not quite the same with partitions on a single HDD.

I did the similar things

In reply to But that’s exactly what you should do …

before years ago when I was working for some people. I had disk drives in their own respective caddies. One could simply unlock with key and pull out the caddy which had its own electrical and electronic connections with the computer and replace it with another one. Those days the drives were not very big. Now the drives are so huge, it looks like a waste of drive space to me. I would try to use the virtualization method if I am going to install one operating system on one drive. If the Windows virtualization does not support general processors, then I shall try VMware.

Owing to shoestring budget, I do not think I can have multiple drives at this stage. I still have to partition the only drive I have. I had supposed there would be some software or the BIOS which can hide the partition from the installation process. It looks like it is impossible though.

The solution is XP mode which is not compatibility mode

In reply to Windows 7 compatibility issues

Windows 7 XP mode requires your processor and motherboard to support virtualization. If your processor and motherboard do not support virtualization, then you can not use Windows 7 XP mode.

If you don’t wish to purchase new versions of applications that support Windows Vista/7 then the best advice is to stick with Windows XP until such time as you decide to upgrade the non Vista/7 compatible applications.

Another name for Windows Virtual PC 2009?

In reply to The solution is XP mode which is not compatibility mode

Is Windows 7 XP mode another name for Windows Virtual PC 2009?

Would you know for sure whether Windows 7 supports Windows Virtual PC 2007? I suppose the 2007 edition does not require special processor. Am I right?

I do have XP home and Pro, Vista. I do want to keep the Windows 7. I was frustrated that I couldn’t get my favourite printer going. Of course I want to minimize my spending. It goes without saying.

RE: [i]Windows Virtual PC 2007?

In reply to Another name for Windows Virtual PC 2009?

I’m not really sure that this question is reverent. Every version of Windows 7 will support the new version of Virtual PC with the exception of 7 Starter.

So there is no need to attempt to use an older version of Virtual PC from M$ as the new version will be available for [b]Free Download[/b] from the M$ Download Center.

The Problem with XP Mode is that you hardware has to support XP Mode so the thought of using older Hardware to run 7 may not be entirely suitable. Though you can always load a Virtual Machine running XP as apposed to XP mode. 😉

Col

the solution is xp mode which is not compatibility mode

In reply to The solution is XP mode which is not compatibility mode

dont forget CG IT to mention that this feature is only available in windows 7 ULTIMATE which happens to be the most expensive version of windows 7 $$$$ –cheers–

it’s available

In reply to the solution is xp mode which is not compatibility mode

in win7 pro as well

XP mode can be installed on Windows 7 Pro

In reply to the solution is xp mode which is not compatibility mode

XP mode is not compatibility mode as such because one needs specific processor and has the whole XP operating system installed in virtual mode.

ahhh

In reply to XP mode can be installed on Windows 7 Pro

sorry about that..i misunderstood…thanks for the clarification 🙂 i’m still learning my way around the tech world

It actually needs a bit more than a specific Processor

In reply to XP mode can be installed on Windows 7 Pro

It also need a compatible M’Board which may not necessarily be the same M’Board that a Compatible CPU runs on. 😉

Col

What are the specifics of the motherboard?

In reply to It actually needs a bit more than a specific Processor

To what I can remember it requires processor with hardware-assisted virtualization technology and hyper-threading.

What is required of the motherboard?

All of the higher end M’Boards will do this

In reply to What are the specifics of the motherboard?

But it was something pushed by M$ when 7 was in the Beta and early Release Stages that quite a few base line M’Boards wouldn’t run Vitalization or XP Mode.

Of course you can read that as the more common System makers Machines which are bought on Price and not performance. 😉

Col

The only thing specific to 7-Ultimate is language packs

In reply to the solution is xp mode which is not compatibility mode

That and USB cryptographic security.

Windows 7 Pro does just about everything else that Windows 7 Ultimate can do, for a lot less moolah. So unless a user is multilingual on a daily basis, I fail to see the point of Ultimate.

A lot more moolah?

In reply to The only thing specific to 7-Ultimate is language packs

you must be getting ripped off.

In Australia (and we are usually the ones getting ripped off) Ultimate in $20 more than Pro (Full retail of both)

Martin the RRP is actually $79.00 more

In reply to A lot more moolah?

But Bitlocker is worth that if for nothing else.

Also Enterprise has the ability to run Virtual Machines which Pro doesn’t. Those two items make it a [b]Must Have[/b] for business but don’t necessarily improve functionality for Home Users. 😉

Col

Pro runs Virtual Machines too.

In reply to Martin the RRP is actually $79.00 more

I have Windows XP Mode installed on a Windows 7 Pro laptop.

Before I could do that, the processor of the computer got to meet the criteria of virtualization technology. So Windows XP Mode must be classified as virtual mode, I believe.

XP Mode and Virtual Mode

In reply to Pro runs Virtual Machines too.

Are different things.

The Pro version was set to run XP Mode to stop people demanding XP be installed but it’s defiantly not a Virtual Mode. They are something different. 😉

Col

What specific language features

In reply to The only thing specific to 7-Ultimate is language packs

that Ultimate has and Pro hasn’t? I use more than one language on my Windows 7 system.

Regarding USB cryptographic security, are you referring to BitLocker Drive Encryption?

did you try the vista driver for your printer

In reply to Windows 7 compatibility issues

sometimes the vista drivers will work with win7 http://www.samsung.com/us/support/detail/supportPrdDetail.do?menu=SP01&prd_mdl_name=ML-1710
as for the rest, a lot of it is hit and miss

I do have

In reply to did you try the vista driver for your printer

Vista driver files for the printer. It was packaged in an executable file and Windows 7 wouldn’t run it. I was hoping there would be loose Vista driver files somewhere and I could use the Add Printer method to add the printer.

As I posted to one of your other questions …

In reply to I do have

Well, as the saying goes “When in Rome …” …
“Do As The Romans Do” – just in case you are not familiar with the phrase.

Seriously though, has it not crossed your mind to simply unpack the self-extracting file in the OS it was designed for?

Run it in a PC running Vista, then copy the extracted files onto a thumb drive. You can then stick the thumb drive into the Windows 7 PC. 😉

http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=101&threadID=319330&messageID=3185834

This was a very old issue.

In reply to As I posted to one of your other questions …

I first asked this question on 19/10/2009. I was quoting the printer issue as an incompatibility example only. I had that particular problem solved already as reported on the other thread. I did try your idea but wasn’t successful either because the extracted driver was not compatible so not acceptable at all.

Try Vista compatibility mode

In reply to I do have

Did you try right clicking the executable used to install the driver and then choose the compatibility tab. Under compatibility mode options choose Vista Service Pack 2 (or whatever service pack is supported by the driver). This tricks the setup program into thinking it’s that version of the OS and SHOULD allow you to install it. If you still run into a problem it could be that you need to right click the executable and do a “run as administrator” on it.

Compatibility mode still wouldn’t help.

In reply to Try Vista compatibility mode

Having started in compatibility mode, it started but failed part-way through.

windows 7 compatability issues

In reply to Windows 7 compatibility issues

hi healer,i was having the same problems for example i purchased a creative soundcard in june 2007 i was told by creative that they could not supply vista drivers for it even though i bought it 6 months after vista was released and yes no drivers for windows 7 their advice is BUY ANOTHER SOUNDCARD hell i am a pensioner and not made out of money and i had similar problems with my other OLD hardware to add to my miseries most of my software programs will not work in vista and they certainly will not work in windows 7 i am staying with xp for the long haul–cheers-

I can relate to it.

In reply to windows 7 compatability issues

Unfortunately in some circumstances I have to catch up with the technology though I know I can never and I am often somewhat behind. I wish XP could last forever too. I wish you all the best on your technology front.

this might work for your printer

In reply to Windows 7 compatibility issues

copy or download the printer driver to your computer using the one for XP if Vista drivers aren’t available. Unzip it and then look in the folder to see what is available. It may have it’s own installer and you may be able to use that. I have had that work for me. I have also had it worked where after unzipping the driver I then installed the printer using the printer setup and telling it where to find the driver. Another thing you might try is connecting the printer directly to the computer and seeing if that will automatically install what is needed. If it does you can then disconnect the printer and go back to having it connected the way it was previously and then install the printer and use the driver it has already installed for you or you could just change the port in the printer properties for that printer.

I have got it working.

In reply to this might work for your printer

The manufacturer has eventually released the driver for Windows 7. I did try all what you said though but I couldn’t get anywhere. I thank you for your help.

Sorry, just read your note

In reply to I have got it working.

I see that you noticed the driver now. I think it’s just a little time and most system builders/oem/equipment manufacturers will have drivers for it. Windows 7 has a universal print driver that works for a lot. And you can try the windows update feature of windows 7 to have it automatically search the internet for a driver also.

I’m glad to hear it’s working for you.

At that time

In reply to Sorry, just read your note

Windows Update couldn’t help either. I had tried everything.

windows 7 driver available for your printer

In reply to Windows 7 compatibility issues

http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/DR/200910/20091020194430906/ML-1710_Win7_GDI.exe

Thanks!

In reply to windows 7 driver available for your printer

I had mentioned this twice. I got the driver from the manufactory quite some time ago. I mentioned the printer problem just an example of incompatibility.

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