BleepingComputer.com: Old Programs

First I have had 7 Home Premium for about a week now so I will be having a lot of questions. Is there a way of finding out if a old program (M/S Works 2000) will work on my system before loading the C/D?

Older programs may not be able to run on 7...but if your system has the capability you may be able to use XP Mode to run them through 7:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

Thanks for getting back OldGrumpyBastard. Unable to go to XP with 7 home premium. I should of got 7 PRO.

This same issue was discussed here, and might provide some insight into your other options.

But, there is no way to know if the program will run correctly inside 7 until you try it.

Best of luck,
keyboardNinja

I am running Ultimate and if i right click an installed Program and go to properties, i am able to run in compatability mode with any previous Microsoft Os's

If I load M/S Works 200 and it won't work will it hurt any thing or will M/S 7 just tell me no go.

Microsoft Office 2000 isn't compatible, so Works 2000 may not be either.

As far as I know, it shouldn't hurt anything to try to install it.

It shouldn't mess anything up if the installation fails. You just simply would not be able to install the program.

When you say M/S Works 2000, I'm assuming you mean Microsoft Works 2000 (the office software: Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Database, Calendar)? If that's what you are trying to install, version 9.0 is out and is fully compatible with Windows 7. No need to try to install an old version.

I thought every Windows installation came with Works pre-installed, but apparently that is not the case. My Dell came with a Works disk along with other software (I can install it as needed). But apparently Microsoft wants you to buy it if you don't already have it.

http://www.microsoft.com/products/works/default.mspx

I thought it was free, but I guess I was wrong.

So, if the 2000 version doesn't work, I guess you'll have to buy it or find another program.

FWIW,

That is why a lot of the people that come here with computer problems get confused. Big Box Companies like Dell, HP, Gateway, Sony et al... sell the computer with whatever operating system along with (for the lack of a better word bloatware) MS Office suites, Norton, McAffee and other products most of which are trial versions that have to be re-activated a few months after purchase. Many of them just get rid of the extra programs and then when they come here for assistance and are asked if they have installation CD's they get really mixed up confusing recovery media with retail media.

Windows installation CD's (prior to Vista) came with just the essentials...Internet Explorer, Outlook, Paint, Note Pad, and Word...If you needed heavier applications such as Excell, Word Perfect, Front Page and what not you had the option to either purchase them one by one or purchase them in a Suite but they most definately weren't free. Some large computer companies may have included some of these items when you purchased your computer but you paid for them on the front end or back end (if you look at it this way)...That is why Vista failed so badly...A lot of the programs that people purchased during the 95,98,2000,and XP days just didn't work well in Vista...That is why everyone was so excited about Windows 7 as it had the option to use older programs in XP Mode if your computer had the capabilities....Unfortunately, some of us are finding out that our systems (while not being particularily ancient) do not have the hardware capabilities to run XP Mode as it is set up in a Virtual Environment and mine for one won't support that...So like Layback and others we have to take our old programs load them up and prey that they work....Some will...Some won't (for those we will just have to put them aside and hope that Microsoft Developers can come up with driver packages that will allow them to work in Windows 7)...Enough rambling...Enjoy the show!!!

Open Office is free and works with Windows 7 http://www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/features/3.1/

I believe it comes with a toolbar that is pre-checked, so you will want to uncheck the box before installation.

I thank you all for your replies. I have had sense 2000 bought and paid for works 2000. The only thing I use it for is writing long things like books. If there is some thing out there that I need to buy I will do so. One the the reason I'm here is to get help on what to buy. There is always a lot of input from members. I read them all and answer some. If there is a program out there that I can buy to allow me to wright things that are very long that I can buy safely I would like to know. Yes I have Google and have found lots of things but they sound like CON games. I have no problem with a free program from a safe site that states Windows 7 is okay. Once again I thank you all for your inputs.

Once again thanks to all. I loaded Works 2000 and it seams to be working just fine.

Awesome!

Well I thought I would keep you folds up to date on my search for a program. I have removed Works 2000 and installed Jarte for W7 and it seems to work flawlessly. If anything changes I will be back. It's free from Jarte site.

Take a look at http://www.openoffice.org. You may be surprisingly impressed with the outfit. It's a very refined software suite and should be only downloaded from the official OO.o website. It's documents are cross compatible with all of the mainstream suites that are used in schools and offices today.

EDIT: Oops, I see I made a redundant post. Sorry.

This post has been edited by RknRusty: 13 February 2010 - 07:59 PM