Running legacy WinXP program in Windows 7

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nate

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#180588 14-Sep-2015 18:47

Bear with me here, going to take some explaining...

My Dad has a legacy database program (ACT 7.0 if you're really curious) that he still uses a couple times a week. It isn't compatible with Windows 7, and for him to upgrade to the latest version would cost a fair amount. Just to make this fun and complicated, I can't find the original installation disks.

I'd like to finally switch off his old WinXP machine.

Is there somehow I can take a copy of the system, virtualise it and somehow run it on his Windows 7 box? It's the only thing left on his old computer.

gzt

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#1387409 14-Sep-2015 19:01

There are many tools for that. Microsoft also provide.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical-to-Virtual

My preference in soft virtualization is VMware. There is a free player to run the image fine for your dad. Just remember that installing the client tools is essential for usabiliy like copy paste from host and beautifully seamless integrated mouse/keyboard.

Edit: the VMware p2v converter is free as in beer. http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/features

kiwifidget

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#1387412 14-Sep-2015 19:05

If I were you I would try this.

Virtualise his XP system and leave the original pc alone for a bit. Run the XP-virtual on the Win7 box.
Upgrade the virtual pc to Win7 and see if the db program will run when set to XP Compatible mode.
If so then take a system backup of the XP box because you never know if you have to roll back.
Upgrade the XP-pc to Win7 and set the db program to run in XP-compatible mode.
Hopefully this all works you wont need the backup for a restore.

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DizzyD

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#1387414 14-Sep-2015 19:16

IMO

The quick option:
Cloning the old XP hard-drive as is , then setting it up as a 2nd disk in the new machine and dual booting between Windows 7 and XP. You may run into some hardware/driver issues in the existing XP setup. So make sure the new hardware is all XP compatible first.

The better option:
Windows 7 has "Windows XP mode" built in. Copy over the necessary files/folders into this virtual machine. Though, it may be difficult to locate all necessary files and dll's for the old program.

Sideface

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#1387432 14-Sep-2015 19:50

Why does your father want to use software that is ten versions out-of-date?

Is it because he doesn't want to spend money? - or because he doesn't want to learn something slightly new?

There's nothing wrong with running an older version of software - but using 2005-vintage software makes no sense to me.

[Disclaimer - I'm probably older than your father

]

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chiefie

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#1387446 14-Sep-2015 20:05

DizzyD: IMO

The quick option:
Cloning the old XP hard-drive as is , then setting it up as a 2nd disk in the new machine and dual booting between Windows 7 and XP. You may run into some hardware/driver issues in the existing XP setup. So make sure the new hardware is all XP compatible first.

The better option:
Windows 7 has "Windows XP mode" built in. Copy over the necessary files/folders into this virtual machine. Though, it may be difficult to locate all necessary files and dll's for the old program.

Definitely Windows XP Mode.

And if he is at some point moving forward to Windows 10. Or get free VirtualBox and do a P2V.

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timmmay

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#1387489 14-Sep-2015 20:58

You know, Windows 7 is legacy now as well.

gzt

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#1387493 14-Sep-2015 21:04

Windows 7 will be supported until at least 2019. I'm thinking 8 will be legacy before 7 ; ).

Edit: oops i lookd it up: End of mainstream support January 13, 2015 End of extended support January 14, 2020.

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gzt

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#1387494 14-Sep-2015 21:09

DizzyD: IMO

The quick option:
Cloning the old XP hard-drive as is , then setting it up as a 2nd disk in the new machine and dual booting between Windows 7 and XP. You may run into some hardware/driver issues in the existing XP setup. So make sure the new hardware is all XP compatible first.

The better option:
Windows 7 has "Windows XP mode" built in. Copy over the necessary files/folders into this virtual machine. Though, it may be difficult to locate all necessary files and dll's for the old program.

Cloning is good.. Most p2v utilities can take an image as input.

nate

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#1387576 14-Sep-2015 22:15

Sideface: Why does your father want to use software that is ten versions out-of-date?

Is it because he doesn't want to spend money? - or because he doesn't want to learn something slightly new?

There's nothing wrong with running an older version of software - but using 2005-vintage software makes no sense to me.

[Disclaimer - I'm probably older than your father ]

Because why spend money when he can just get me to fix it for free.

Oh the joys of have an IT support guy who *doesn't* charge by the hour. You can throw unlimited hours at it! :)