16 bit app on vista

[Bob]

I have an old 16-bit software application. It is a searchable database of
reference material, tons of reference material. Its upgrade is no longer
available on CD but an online service with a monthly fee to use it. Why pay
the monthly fee when I have most of what I need on CD?



Before I install it, is there anything I need to know? Will 16 bit software
damage vista or crash it? Is there any special procedure to installing it?



Thanks for the help.



Bob

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi Bob,

First, you will only be able to use a 16-bit application in the x86 (32-bit)
versions of Vista. There is no support in x64. You would have to install and
use a virtual installation of a win32 os (any, not just vista) to run the
16-bit app.

Is there anything special? Possibly. 16-bit apps run mostly under ntvdm, a
virtual subsystem designed for them. Depending on the application, you may
find that you will have to run it elevated, since these types of
applications typically write to the program or system folders, and that's
something that is no longer allowed by default in Vista. To do so, simply
right click the .exe or link and choose 'run as administrator'.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Chad Harris]

Hi--

64 bit Vista doesn't support 16 bit applications although I have seen
reports all over the web that so and so has run them ("I ran my old 16 bit
accounting program just fine" are the annecdotal reports but as a rule it
does not support them because it doesn't have a 16 bit sub-system. You may
have better luck with 32 bit Vista.

However, what you can do is download the free Virtual PC 2007 or use some
other means of VM ware.
Some people might want to chime in as to their favorite choice of VM ware.
You should have about 2GB of RAM on the box at least, because you are going
to be dealing out some of your RAM to the virtual setup. Create a virtual
machine running dos or Win 9X/ME.

Download Virtual PC 2007

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...02-3199-48A3-AFA2-2DC0B40A73B6&displaylang=en

Best of luck,

CH

 

[Bob]

Thanks for the quick responses!!
I will try those things. I do have 32 bit vista
Thanks again
Bob

 

[Mick Murphy]

http://www.dosbox.com/

The above may suit you.