After a week of beating my head against the green/blue wall (my monitor
screen)... I give up. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not one of the techies who
has the wisdom to upgrade from one version of windows to another. No, I'm
just an average Shmo who got his computer fresh out of the box and said to
himself: "Geeeee... it's got one of them Vista thingies. Wow!" That's where
my excitement ended.

The computer (a brand new HP) is for my kids. Of the 5 (count them FIVE!)
kiddie programs I tried to load, 4 (count them FOUR!!!) return error messages
either upon attempts at installation or once they were (supposedly)
installed. [By the way, all of them installed just fine on my work computer
and my laptop; both of these are running WindowsXP; there are NOT super duper
high-tech programs either; they are Chessmaster 10th ed., Chess Tactics for
Beginners[kids]; Typing Tutor for Kids, etc.). Like the last idiot on Earth,
I called each of the software manufacturers support centers and got the same
answer... Something along the lines of: "You know, lately we've been getting
a lot of call from people who run VISTA. Our product just doesn't work with
Vista. Did you try calling Microsoft?" Yeah... right... did YOU TRY CALLING
MICROSOFT???

So, here's my question. WHAT MORON CAME UP WITH VISTA???? I mean, was there
some Downs Syndrome victim that got hired by Microsoft on some affirmative
action program for degenerates with bad chromosomes and then decided that a
thing that actually works (i.e. Windows XP) is too good to sell to people? Or
was it the Windows marketing team who drove the project? You know, kinda like
the marketing team from Scott Addams' Dilbert comic strip... you know, the
ones that came up with a brilliant idea of UNDERWATER BARBECUE...

New releases of Windows tend to break compatibility with device drivers and
software. It is just the reality, the current situation you are in, many
faced it when Windows XP, 2000, NT 4 and even when Windows 95 was released.
The real issue here is not Microsoft, its the developers of those same
application programs. Its kind of insulting for large developers like the
ones you mentioned to not offer compatibility updates or new versions of the
product to support Vista.

Why? Well, if you can have 12 year olds in a Vista beta program, why
couldn't a major developer like them also get access to Vista at beta 1 code
to test compatibility with their applications? Even if they couldn't get
beta 1, Microsoft released a public beta of Vista at beta 2, so anybody
could have gotten access to the code to test their apps on from early and
ensure compatibilty on or some time after RTM.

The only recommendation I have is to try and run the programs in
compatibility mode, right click the application/game executable, click
Properties > go to the 'Compatibility' tab > check the 'Run this in
compatibility mode for' box and select an appropriate version of Windows the
applications you mentioned are known to work with. If that does not, you can
try returning the PC under warranty and request that the system be
reinstalled with Windows XP. If they can't do that, the only alternative is
the purchase a copy of Windows XP and install it in something called Virtual
PC 2007 then run your applications on top of it.
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!E8E5CC039D51E3DB!9709.entry
"Frustrated as hell" <Frustrated as (E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
message news:4ED83358-D310-4A27-BB46-(E-Mail Removed)...
> After a week of beating my head against the green/blue wall (my monitor
> screen)... I give up. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not one of the techies who
> has the wisdom to upgrade from one version of windows to another. No, I'm
> just an average Shmo who got his computer fresh out of the box and said to
> himself: "Geeeee... it's got one of them Vista thingies. Wow!" That's
> where
> my excitement ended.
>
> The computer (a brand new HP) is for my kids. Of the 5 (count them FIVE!)
> kiddie programs I tried to load, 4 (count them FOUR!!!) return error
> messages
> either upon attempts at installation or once they were (supposedly)
> installed. [By the way, all of them installed just fine on my work
> computer
> and my laptop; both of these are running WindowsXP; there are NOT super
> duper
> high-tech programs either; they are Chessmaster 10th ed., Chess Tactics
> for
> Beginners[kids]; Typing Tutor for Kids, etc.). Like the last idiot on
> Earth,
> I called each of the software manufacturers support centers and got the
> same
> answer... Something along the lines of: "You know, lately we've been
> getting
> a lot of call from people who run VISTA. Our product just doesn't work
> with
> Vista. Did you try calling Microsoft?" Yeah... right... did YOU TRY
> CALLING
> MICROSOFT???
>
> So, here's my question. WHAT MORON CAME UP WITH VISTA???? I mean, was
> there
> some Downs Syndrome victim that got hired by Microsoft on some affirmative
> action program for degenerates with bad chromosomes and then decided that
> a
> thing that actually works (i.e. Windows XP) is too good to sell to people?
> Or
> was it the Windows marketing team who drove the project? You know, kinda
> like
> the marketing team from Scott Addams' Dilbert comic strip... you know, the
> ones that came up with a brilliant idea of UNDERWATER BARBECUE...

Frustrated as hell wrote:
> After a week of beating my head against the green/blue wall (my monitor
> screen)... I give up. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not one of the techies who
> has the wisdom to upgrade from one version of windows to another. No, I'm
> just an average Shmo who got his computer fresh out of the box and said to
> himself: "Geeeee... it's got one of them Vista thingies. Wow!" That's where
> my excitement ended.
>
> The computer (a brand new HP) is for my kids. Of the 5 (count them FIVE!)
> kiddie programs I tried to load, 4 (count them FOUR!!!) return error messages
> either upon attempts at installation or once they were (supposedly)
> installed. [By the way, all of them installed just fine on my work computer
> and my laptop; both of these are running WindowsXP; there are NOT super duper
> high-tech programs either; they are Chessmaster 10th ed., Chess Tactics for
> Beginners[kids]; Typing Tutor for Kids, etc.). Like the last idiot on Earth,
> I called each of the software manufacturers support centers and got the same
> answer... Something along the lines of: "You know, lately we've been getting
> a lot of call from people who run VISTA. Our product just doesn't work with
> Vista. Did you try calling Microsoft?" Yeah... right... did YOU TRY CALLING
> MICROSOFT???
>
> So, here's my question. WHAT MORON CAME UP WITH VISTA???? I mean, was there
> some Downs Syndrome victim that got hired by Microsoft on some affirmative
> action program for degenerates with bad chromosomes and then decided that a
> thing that actually works (i.e. Windows XP) is too good to sell to people? Or
> was it the Windows marketing team who drove the project? You know, kinda like
> the marketing team from Scott Addams' Dilbert comic strip... you know, the
> ones that came up with a brilliant idea of UNDERWATER BARBECUE...


Have you got a spare XP CD? Something that was from an old machine you
are no longer using?

You could try the MS Virtual machine (Which would run under Vista) and
load into it XP, then run the games under that... if they are not too
heavy on graphics you should be okay.

> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...c/default.mspx

On Mon, 5 Nov 2007 00:17:29 -0500, "Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>New releases of Windows tend to break compatibility with device drivers and
>software.

That is total MS 'drink the Koolaid' baloney.

The same apps that work on 95- 98 - WinXP - NT and 2000
are stopped dead in their tracks with Vista.

Why the heck should all the developers in the world rewrite their
software because Microsoft decides they can all go to hell?

The only reason Vista is selling is because it's now Forceware.

The average person is forced to take on on their new PC.

Microsoft has made considerable changes to the user and security priviledges
in Vista. The addition of UAC is another example of this, developers for
years have had a open field, they were not reigned in, it came at a
significant cost with numerous attacks that plagued XP. Microsoft tried to
resolve some of it with XP SP2 but its obvious that would not be enough and
even XP SP2 itself had compatibility issues with some apps such as NERO and
Antivirus.

Its not forceware, its not a kool aid trick, its the reality of the changes
to the system. If Vista is forcing anything on any developer its to start
writing more secure applications.
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!E8E5CC039D51E3DB!9709.entry
"WaIIy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Mon, 5 Nov 2007 00:17:29 -0500, "Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>New releases of Windows tend to break compatibility with device drivers
>>and
>>software.
>
> That is total MS 'drink the Koolaid' baloney.
>
> The same apps that work on 95- 98 - WinXP - NT and 2000
> are stopped dead in their tracks with Vista.
>
> Why the heck should all the developers in the world rewrite their
> software because Microsoft decides they can all go to hell?
>
> The only reason Vista is selling is because it's now Forceware.
>
> The average person is forced to take on on their new PC.

Most programs work with windows Vista but some do not.
Have you tried compatibility Mode:
Right click the program icon and click Properties.
Click Compatibility tab.
Make selections from there.
However if the program manufacturers say their program is not
supported, the programs may not work until a patch or update is issued
by the manufacturer.

If Windows XP is preferred, return the computer and purchase one with
Windows XP.
Toshiba, Dell and possibly other major OEMs as well as many local
shops continue to sell computers with Windows XP.

In the future check compatibility of essential hardware and software
before considering a new product.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"Frustrated as hell" <Frustrated as (E-Mail Removed)>
wrote in message
news:4ED83358-D310-4A27-BB46-(E-Mail Removed)...
> After a week of beating my head against the green/blue wall (my
> monitor
> screen)... I give up. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not one of the
> techies who
> has the wisdom to upgrade from one version of windows to another.
> No, I'm
> just an average Shmo who got his computer fresh out of the box and
> said to
> himself: "Geeeee... it's got one of them Vista thingies. Wow!"
> That's where
> my excitement ended.
>
> The computer (a brand new HP) is for my kids. Of the 5 (count them
> FIVE!)
> kiddie programs I tried to load, 4 (count them FOUR!!!) return error
> messages
> either upon attempts at installation or once they were (supposedly)
> installed. [By the way, all of them installed just fine on my work
> computer
> and my laptop; both of these are running WindowsXP; there are NOT
> super duper
> high-tech programs either; they are Chessmaster 10th ed., Chess
> Tactics for
> Beginners[kids]; Typing Tutor for Kids, etc.). Like the last idiot
> on Earth,
> I called each of the software manufacturers support centers and got
> the same
> answer... Something along the lines of: "You know, lately we've been
> getting
> a lot of call from people who run VISTA. Our product just doesn't
> work with
> Vista. Did you try calling Microsoft?" Yeah... right... did YOU TRY
> CALLING
> MICROSOFT???
>
> So, here's my question. WHAT MORON CAME UP WITH VISTA???? I mean,
> was there
> some Downs Syndrome victim that got hired by Microsoft on some
> affirmative
> action program for degenerates with bad chromosomes and then decided
> that a
> thing that actually works (i.e. Windows XP) is too good to sell to
> people? Or
> was it the Windows marketing team who drove the project? You know,
> kinda like
> the marketing team from Scott Addams' Dilbert comic strip... you
> know, the
> ones that came up with a brilliant idea of UNDERWATER BARBECUE...

Similar happened at the time Windows XP was released 6 years ago.
At every new version, many older programs worked while some did not.
This is not new to Windows Vista.

"Why the heck should all the developers..."
Obviously "all" do not have to since many programs do work.
Some of those that do not work are poorly written and need to be fixed
by their developers.

"...is because it's now Forceware"
Not true at all since there have always been choices and there
continue to be choices.

Who are you defining as the "The average person"?
There are choices at local shops and the major OEMs.
Windows XP, Linux and other operating systems continue to be
available.
However if you define "The average person" as someone that does not
look at all and does no research, you are partly correct only for
those that do not see other options available.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"WaIIy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> That is total MS 'drink the Koolaid' baloney.
>
> The same apps that work on 95- 98 - WinXP - NT and 2000
> are stopped dead in their tracks with Vista.
>
> Why the heck should all the developers in the world rewrite their
> software because Microsoft decides they can all go to hell?
>
> The only reason Vista is selling is because it's now Forceware.
>
> The average person is forced to take on on their new PC.

"WaIIy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Mon, 5 Nov 2007 00:17:29 -0500, "Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>New releases of Windows tend to break compatibility with device drivers
>>and
>>software.
>
> That is total MS 'drink the Koolaid' baloney.
>
> The same apps that work on 95- 98 - WinXP - NT and 2000
> are stopped dead in their tracks with Vista.


No they are NOT. My program, using extensive calls to other products,
written in visual basic ... works in comptability mode in Vista.

"Telstar" <none@none> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "WaIIy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> On Mon, 5 Nov 2007 00:17:29 -0500, "Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]"
>> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>
>>>New releases of Windows tend to break compatibility with device drivers
>>>and
>>>software.
>>
>> That is total MS 'drink the Koolaid' baloney.
>>
>> The same apps that work on 95- 98 - WinXP - NT and 2000
>> are stopped dead in their tracks with Vista.
>
>
> No they are NOT. My program, using extensive calls to other products,
> written in visual basic ... works in comptability mode in Vista.

The code was written between 1990 and 2002.

>
>

While it is true some OEMs offer XP machines, have you actually checked the
selection of machines XP is available on?
Unless you're a corporate customer buying a few hundred machines, only the
highest priced machines are available with XP.
To me that makes the 'get an XP machine and do your homework' invalid
argument and/or piece of advice.
All software makers need a swift kick in the Vista...
if it looks like a turd, smells like a turd, & feels like a turd...putting
it in a Baby Ruth wrapper doesn't make it a Baby Ruth.

"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Most programs work with windows Vista but some do not.
> Have you tried compatibility Mode:
> Right click the program icon and click Properties.
> Click Compatibility tab.
> Make selections from there.
> However if the program manufacturers say their program is not supported,
> the programs may not work until a patch or update is issued by the
> manufacturer.
>
> If Windows XP is preferred, return the computer and purchase one with
> Windows XP.
> Toshiba, Dell and possibly other major OEMs as well as many local shops
> continue to sell computers with Windows XP.
>
> In the future check compatibility of essential hardware and software
> before considering a new product.
>
> --
> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
> http://www.dts-l.org
>
>
> "Frustrated as hell" <Frustrated as (E-Mail Removed)> wrote
> in message news:4ED83358-D310-4A27-BB46-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> After a week of beating my head against the green/blue wall (my monitor
>> screen)... I give up. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not one of the techies
>> who
>> has the wisdom to upgrade from one version of windows to another. No, I'm
>> just an average Shmo who got his computer fresh out of the box and said
>> to
>> himself: "Geeeee... it's got one of them Vista thingies. Wow!" That's
>> where
>> my excitement ended.
>>
>> The computer (a brand new HP) is for my kids. Of the 5 (count them FIVE!)
>> kiddie programs I tried to load, 4 (count them FOUR!!!) return error
>> messages
>> either upon attempts at installation or once they were (supposedly)
>> installed. [By the way, all of them installed just fine on my work
>> computer
>> and my laptop; both of these are running WindowsXP; there are NOT super
>> duper
>> high-tech programs either; they are Chessmaster 10th ed., Chess Tactics
>> for
>> Beginners[kids]; Typing Tutor for Kids, etc.). Like the last idiot on
>> Earth,
>> I called each of the software manufacturers support centers and got the
>> same
>> answer... Something along the lines of: "You know, lately we've been
>> getting
>> a lot of call from people who run VISTA. Our product just doesn't work
>> with
>> Vista. Did you try calling Microsoft?" Yeah... right... did YOU TRY
>> CALLING
>> MICROSOFT???
>>
>> So, here's my question. WHAT MORON CAME UP WITH VISTA???? I mean, was
>> there
>> some Downs Syndrome victim that got hired by Microsoft on some
>> affirmative
>> action program for degenerates with bad chromosomes and then decided that
>> a
>> thing that actually works (i.e. Windows XP) is too good to sell to
>> people? Or
>> was it the Windows marketing team who drove the project? You know, kinda
>> like
>> the marketing team from Scott Addams' Dilbert comic strip... you know,
>> the
>> ones that came up with a brilliant idea of UNDERWATER BARBECUE...
>