So far, I have had to replace a printer and mp3 player. Next, it looks like I need to spend a hundred dollars on a newer version of my document management software. "Incompatibility" issues with all.
What is the best path back to XP on a laptop that came with 7 installed?
Where does the incompatibility lie? Windows 7 has been out for 2 years now and already has a service pack. Do your applications have updates to provide Win7 support? I assume you checked for new Win7-compatible printer drivers from the manufacturer?
Windows 7 is a good operating system. You will always have problems installing old programs and equipment on any newer operating system.
It would help if Microsoft and others could supply a decent manual to explain how to install older equipment and software. Even a down-loadable manual would work.
Some companies such as Garmen and Nikon are very helpful, when asked by e-mail, on how to install older equipment, software (Windows 98SE,2nd ed. in my case) in Windows 7. That includes getting a "USB2/3 port to Serial port" cable for my Garmen E-Map.
Contact the company of your software for help. Personly; if you could not afford $100. for your beloved software upgrade, continue to use it on your old computer. Much cheaper then installing old operating systems on a new computer.
However; someone is sure to explain how to install Windows XP.
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
2003 Fleetwood Jamboree 29
TomG2 wrote: So far, I have had to replace a printer and mp3 player. Next, it looks like I need to spend a hundred dollars on a newer version of my document management software. "Incompatibility" issues with all.
What is the best path back to XP on a laptop that came with 7 installed?
They didn't make it easy to go back, as most computers don't come with the operating system on disk, so that leaves you with having to find a pirated copy that has the security removed.
Another option (and I know I will get beat up for this) is to get a copy of Linux. It is free to download from the net. I like Ubuntu but there are other versions available. If you don't feel like going that route (and I wouldn't blame you), you can go to the the book store like Barnes & Noble and purchase a copy of Linux Format magazine for about $16 which will have a fresh copy of the latest version. Now all you have to do to try it is drop the disk into the tray and reboot your system. It should load a copy of the operating system into ram. This allows you to give it a whirl without installing it. It will operate from memory only and you can see if its something you like. It is truly amazing to see that it will find your printer and it will be usable without doing anything. No drivers to mess with like in Windows. It will make the connection to the internet without any intervention on your part. Now if you like it you can click the install button and it will take care of the rest. The really nice thing about this is it wont remove your windows operating system unless you want it to. It will dual boot which means each time you turn your computer on a screen will open and give you a choice (oh I love that word) on which system you want to load. If your like many people, you will probably find yourself using Windows less and less over time. I have been using it here for a long long time and haven't felt the need to run anything else. Another huge advantage is you wont need to mess with anti-virus software anymore. Thats right, you don't need it when you use a good operating system.
I'll put my soapbox away now unless someone has a question they need answered.
* This post was
edited 09/08/11 06:59am by powderman426 *
Ron & Charlotte
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28' Prowler & 05 Ram QC LB
I started with nothing and I still have most of it left
I never fail, I just succeed in finding out what doesn't work
Have you tried using "compatibility mode" right click on the shortcut, click properties, select the compatibility tab, check run this program in compatibility mode for:..., select mode from drop down menu.
Just a shot in the dark.
Not sure how to go back to XP from 7 but I imagine there would be driver issues for the video, motherboard and others as the machine was built to run on Windows 7.
TomG2 wrote: So far, I have had to replace a printer and mp3 player. Next, it looks like I need to spend a hundred dollars on a newer version of my document management software. "Incompatibility" issues with all.
What is the best path back to XP on a laptop that came with 7 installed?
I'm baffled by these kinds of posts that imply that it's somehow the OS and MS's fault that older hardware/software doesn't work with a new OS. MS has put compatibility mode into Win 7 and, if you have Win 7 Pro, Ultimate or Enterprise, you can download and install "XP Mode" which is a virtual machine that includes a licensed copy of XP. What more do you expect of MS? Why isn't it the fault of the printer or mp3 manufacturers for not providing Win 7 drivers for their products? Why are you disappointed with Win 7 and not the mfrs of the devices?
The problem you will find in trying to go back to XP on your new laptop will be finding XP compatible drivers for everything. In addition, if you don't already own a copy of XP it may be a little difficult (not impossible) to locate a copy to buy as it's no longer being shipped by MS.
If you have Win 7 Home and an available copy of XP, you can duplicate most of the features of XP Mode by installing software like Oracle's VirtualBox, VMWare's VMWare Player or even MS Virtual PC. This software will let you create a virtual machine and install XP on it.
MNtundraRet wrote: ....... if you could not afford $100. for your beloved software upgrade, continue to use it on your old computer. Much cheaper then installing old operating systems on a new computer.
However; someone is sure to explain how to install Windows XP.
I looked forward to and have embraced every new operating system that Microsoft has come up with since DOS 6.4. This latest seems to simply add a bunch of bells and whistles without much gain. I don't mind the three or four hundred it will cost to upgrade software and hardware, if it was "better".
MNtundraRet wrote: ....... if you could not afford $100. for your beloved software upgrade, continue to use it on your old computer. Much cheaper then installing old operating systems on a new computer.
However; someone is sure to explain how to install Windows XP.
I looked forward to and have embraced every new operating system that Microsoft has come up with since DOS 6.4. This latest seems to simply add a bunch of bells and whistles without much gain. I don't mind the three or four hundred it will cost to upgrade software and hardware, if it was "better".
We currently have 3 laptops, one each with XP, Vista and W7. W7 is by far the best OS of the 3. IMO, there is way less bloat and much improved video/audio on the W7 OS.
Bob & Betsy(FishNFanatic) - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever" '05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins-Pulling our '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2010 Rzr or 01 V Star in back. Where the wheels are stopped today
TomG2 wrote: So far, I have had to replace a printer and mp3 player. Next, it looks like I need to spend a hundred dollars on a newer version of my document management software. "Incompatibility" issues with all.
What is the best path back to XP on a laptop that came with 7 installed?
I'm baffled by these kinds of posts that imply that it's somehow the OS and MS's fault that older hardware/software doesn't work with a new OS. MS has put compatibility mode into Win 7 and, if you have Win 7 Pro, Ultimate or Enterprise, you can download and install "XP Mode" which is a virtual machine that includes a licensed copy of XP. What more do you expect of MS? Why isn't it the fault of the printer or mp3 manufacturers for not providing Win 7 drivers for their products? Why are you disappointed with Win 7 and not the mfrs of the devices?
The problem you will find in trying to go back to XP on your new laptop will be finding XP compatible drivers for everything. In addition, if you don't already own a copy of XP it may be a little difficult (not impossible) to locate a copy to buy as it's no longer being shipped by MS.
If you have Win 7 Home and an available copy of XP, you can duplicate most of the features of XP Mode by installing software like Oracle's VirtualBox, VMWare's VMWare Player or even MS Virtual PC. This software will let you create a virtual machine and install XP on it.
That's why when I got my current laptop 14mos ago I did a lot of research and I made sure I got one with Win7 Pro as the OP system and have been able to use all my XP programs except one (Sound Blaster 24) and that was only because I needed something to xfr all my tapes and LPs to disk and to do some editing. About the only thing you can do if even possible is to see if you can upgrade your Win7 Home or Premium edition to the Pro or Ultimate version and then you can download the XP virtual machine add on and that should solve 90% or more of your compatibility issues.
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