Run old (1996) software on Win7

[SimpleSi]

I've a dad of a TA (82) who's XP computer died but still wants to run an ancient package called Mini Office 2,1 as he has some historical data and he knows how to use the package

When his Win95 machine died, luckily the package still ran on his new XP machine but I can't get it to run under Windows 7 (Home Premium).

All I have is the installed folder (which runs fine in XP even from a USB stick)

If anyone likes a challenge and reckons they can run anything on Win7 - please contact me and I'll send you a copy of the folder to play with.

I've got in running in a VM of his old Win95 machine but it would be nice to keep things a bit simpler for him.

Si

[nephilim]

Install xp home. Install the program. Upgrade to win 7 home.

What will happen is it will keep the files needed to run the program.

Hope that helps.(its a VERY good method to keep legacy software, albeit a long winded method)

[PiqueABoo]

Use the MS App Compatibility Toolkit? Haven't played with that for a long while, but it did work some wonders hooking and redirecting this and that, for apps that didn't like XP.

[SimpleSi]

Install xp home. Install the program. Upgrade to win 7 home.

I don't have a retail xp or win7 to do this
And the prog wasn't "installed" on the XP machine - I just copied the folder (it wasn't in Program Files) from the old Win95 disc to a folder in WinXP and it just runs as a standalone app

Si

[teejay]

This might solve your problem -Download Windows XP Mode

[jamesreedersmith]

Any error when you try to run it?

[SimpleSi]

Use the MS App Compatibility Toolkit?

According to Download: Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details does it not just say yes or no - or does it do more than that?

Si

[pritchardavid]

how about making it into a local app-v package?

[SimpleSi]

how about making it into a local app-v package?

With what dear henry....
Si

[jamesreedersmith]

Try - Cameyo | Free Application Virtualization

Forgot to say build this on an XP so the 16bit app will run.

[SimpleSi]

@james
Clever idea - hope it works
Si

[SimpleSi]

This might solve your problem -Download Windows XP Mode

Its a Win7 Home Premium so not allowed to run XP Mode
Si

[Oaktech]

could you do a vmware player and install something truly ancient on it?

[SimpleSi]

I've got in running in a VM of his old Win95 machine but it would be nice to keep things a bit simpler for him.
Si

[Arthur]

Got it running in DOSBox on (64-bit) Windows 7, if that's any good?



When you ran it, was this the message you received?