Tech: Outdated Software

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: artbrooks
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 08:59 AM

Yeah, Jon...and one of the programs that Vista SP.1 kills is Zone Alarm 7.1, which is my security program. Quel bummer!

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 03:50 AM

There has been quite a lot of discussion about Vista SP1, and it's been delayed by Microsoft concerns about impact on profits users.

I'm not sure that the effect on "third party programs" is as well-sorted as some of the reports have indicated.

Microsoft says (speaking from the left-facing face) that lots of things will be unusable after SP1.

Microsoft says (speaking from the right-facing face) that most things can be made to work, but may require reinstallation after SP1 is installed.

Microsoft says (speaking from the other-facing "face") that some things must be uninstalled before installing SP1 in order for reinstallation after SP1 is installed to be possible.

I hope that's all clear to everybody now....

Apparently Vista SP1 will disable quite a few "legacy drivers" and some programs.

Many of the older drivers can be reinstalled after SP1 is in place and can be "forced into working" but details are still scant.

For some of the programs it may be possible to reinstall after SP1 is in place, with setup to "'run as' in an earlier Windows version." This "run as" option has been around since Win2K and WinXP. It "sort of" worked in those programs, but there's little indication of how well it will work in Vista. It is likely that some programs that can be "run" may have some features disabled - i.e. they'll stagger and limp, and you can call it running if you wish.

The BBC list is probably up to date with current Microsoft information; but it's hard to tell which face they were talking to.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 04:10 AM

Yer bein SUBTLE again John...

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 05:49 AM

You mean I should have come right out and said that you're supposed to get the best feeling about what comes out of the "other-facing face" 'cause it has the prettiest fat rosy cheeks?

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: artbrooks
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 05:33 PM

Zone Alarm 7.1.218.0, available as an update, is supposedly immune to Vista's "fix".

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: Gurney
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 06:20 PM

I had no trouble getting Works (97) and Publisher 97 to work on XP. I just installed new variants that my son had, and that seems to have provided what was missing.

Maybe that would work for others. I don't use the new ones, all my templates are on the old ones.

Someone gave me an old W98 computer that I use just for the scanner. No driver for any OS younger.

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 11:58 PM

Most of the programs on the list are protection programs that interact very closely with the inner workings of Windows. Most of them are subscription programs that are updated on a daily or weekly basis by their manufacturers, anyhow.

So far, I'm not convinced this "incompatibility" with Vista SP1 is a big deal.

And although I like Windows Vista, I've been having some very good luck with Windows XP lately. At the Women's Center, we had a donated computer that didn't work. The operating system disk was lost, but there was a Windows XP sticker on the computer. I reinstalled XP from the disks from another computer, and used the number on the sticker to get it activated. Then I dowloaded and installed Service Pack 2. Now it's the fastest computer in the office.

We had another computer with XP that was very sluggish. I opened the install/uninstall programs list, Googled all the programs I didn't recognize, and then uninstalled all unnecessary programs - particularly old "toolbars" that seemed to be clashing wiht Internet Explorer - and I added a gigabyte of RAM. Works like a charm now.

But I still prefer my dual core CPU with Windows Vista, 4 GB of RAM, and 1.5 terabytes of storage. And I continue to have no serious problems with Windows Vista.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: Big Mick
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 08:43 PM

A different question under the same heading. What do we do with old software? I have older versions of various programs, was getting ready to pitch them, and thought I would ask here before I do. Any value to them? Advice what to do with them?

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 08:56 PM

It depends, Mick...if you have any idea they might be useful to some charity somewhere....kids who get used computers can often make good use. It really depends on HOW old and what categories. I have perfectly useful programs that are 4-5-6 years old.

It also depends of whether they are payware programs that are, or need to be, registered. Those can be a problem. ('access denied'.. or die after 30 days..etc.)

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 04:10 AM

Ever tried getting file sharing to work between vista and xp machines? Vista is crap.

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 05:42 AM

It's certainly true that some people have no trouble with Vista, but many do, and generally it's the more computer savvy, who want more than stock actions who suffer.

I think the definitive overall verdict on Vista has been amply demonstrated by two actions:-

1. The fact that many computer suppliers advertising Vista equipped PCs offer a downgrade to Windows XP Pro as an optional extra.

2. The almost unbelievable speed with which Microsoft produced Windows 7, possibly remembering the unqualified Abortion that was Windows ME.

To me, those events speak very loudly of disquiet, among both Manufacturers and Retailers, as to the useability of Vista.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 05:48 AM

BTW, a question about the thread topic.

In producing Vista, have Microsoft taken out the "compatibility" option, which allows me to run Windows 95 era software in XP, and even some old Dos 6.0 games?

That would, if present, presumably allow the OP to run his software as if working on his old PC.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: GUEST,Fumblefingers
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 12:29 AM

Windows 7 is supposed to be all the things that Vista isn't. My granddaughter's PC has Vista and I hate it. I'm keeping XP Pro as long as possible.

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 05:03 AM

Yes, XP Pro with no updates to mess it up.

Subject: RE: Tech: Outdated Software
From: GUEST,woodsie
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 05:25 AM

Don't believe all the hype about Windows 7. I've got it running on 3 machines. It is just Vista with some stuff removed. It doesn't have photo/video editing or windows mail (these can be downloaded) you can turn Internet explorer and UAC off. It has the "wonderful" media centre which is supposed to allow you to record TV - However if you live in the UK you you can't record TV streamed from yhe internet (BBC iplayer etc)! You have to plug an external tuner in! It is a matter of "Get less for your money" or simply Vista Service pach 2 at a price!