Programs from Win95 to WinXP

[TW]

Hi,

My colleague has 2 computers: a very old one with Win95
and a newer one with Win XP HE. She wouldn't like to use
the old computer anymore.
She has some programs on the old computer which she
still uses from time to time. Unfortunately she doesn't have
installation diskettes for the programs anymore.

Is there any way to be able to use the programs on the
computer with Win XP HE ?
Could you give us any advice, please?

Regards,
TW

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

My colleague has 2 computers: a very old one with Win95
and a newer one with Win XP HE. She wouldn't like to use
the old computer anymore.
She has some programs on the old computer which she
still uses from time to time. Unfortunately she doesn't have
installation diskettes for the programs anymore.

Is there any way to be able to use the programs on the
computer with Win XP HE ?
Could you give us any advice, please?

Except for an occasional very tiny program, all Windows programs have many
entries throughout Windows--in the registry and elsewhere. So, except for
that rare exception, simply copying a program from one computer to another
(regardless of what version of Windows it's running) won't work.

So the answer to yout question is basically no, she can't do this. However,
it doesn't hurt to copy them over and try them. If she's lucky, perhaps some
of them are small and self-contained, and will work.

 

[TW]

My colleague has 2 computers: a very old one with Win95

Except for an occasional very tiny program, all Windows programs have many
entries throughout Windows--in the registry and elsewhere. So, except for
that rare exception, simply copying a program from one computer to another
(regardless of what version of Windows it's running) won't work.

So the answer to yout question is basically no, she can't do this. However,
it doesn't hurt to copy them over and try them. If she's lucky, perhaps some
of them are small and self-contained, and will work.

Thanks. That's what I was afraid of.

But what if we move the HDD with Win95 to the computer with WinXP HE?
Then we should make possible to select OS at the computer start.
In such case she could use any FAT partition on the disk with XP
(I don't remember how big disks/partitions are accesible for Win95).
The problem I can see is that the HDDs should use different controllers,
otherwise both will be very slow.

Regards
TW

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks. That's what I was afraid of.

But what if we move the HDD with Win95 to the computer with WinXP HE?
Then we should make possible to select OS at the computer start

Sure, that's fine. You'll need a boot manager. I hasve no personal
experience with any of them, so I'll let someone else recommend one.

In such case she could use any FAT partition on the disk with XP
(I don't remember how big disks/partitions are accesible for Win95).

That depends on what version of Windows 95 it is. Original 95 and 95A boht
support only FAT16, and FAT16 goes to 2GB. Windows 95B and 95C both support
FAT32, which supports drives up to 32GB.

The problem I can see is that the HDDs should use different
controllers, otherwise both will be very slow.

No, not necssarily.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi,

My colleague has 2 computers: a very old one with Win95
and a newer one with Win XP HE. She wouldn't like to use
the old computer anymore.
She has some programs on the old computer which she
still uses from time to time. Unfortunately she doesn't have
installation diskettes for the programs anymore.

Is there any way to be able to use the programs on the
computer with Win XP HE ?

Not without the original installation disks, no.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Alex McFarlane]

There is a program called cleansweep (ran in win 95) which has an option
to parcel up installed programs and move then to other machines. I've
never tried it though.
I have a copy somewhere which I would be able to pass on if someone
wants.....(if I can find it).
May be available on ebay.
Regards
AMcF