Windows/7 and Windows/XP

[Crossbow]

Hello all!

I have a problem that perhaps some of you smart, kind people can help out with.

I work at a large engineering firm and one of my jobs is to make sure that all of the engineering software runs smoothly.

Anyway, now there is a serious move to change all of our PC Operating Systems from Windows/XP to Windows/7. But unfortunately, much of our engineering software is not compatible with Windows/7; therefore, my problem.

However, Windows/7 does provide a ‘compatibility mode’ that will allow software that was designed for Windows/XP (as well as several other Operating Systems) to run on a mchine that uses the Windows/7 Operating System.

So my question is, for those of you who have switched from Windows/XP to Windows/7, have you tried using this tool?

And if so, can you give me a brief report on what you have found?

Did the tool work properly?
Or did it not work at all?
Or did it work sometimes, but not work other times?
And so on.

Thanks much in advance!

 

[bozman]

I can tell you that I've used the compatibility mode several times, and I'd say it's worked about 80% of the time. I don't know about your specific situation, but overall, I've found it works pretty well.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/windows-xp-mode

 

[Crossbow]

I can tell you that I've used the compatibility mode several times, and I'd say it's worked about 80% of the time. I don't know about your specific situation, but overall, I've found it works pretty well.

Thanks!

However, I was hoping for a better batting average than that since I am concerned about rather high-end engineering applications such as MicroStation, InRoads, IPlot, ArcGIS, and so on.

 

[Crossbow]

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/windows-xp-mode

Thanks!

We did look at this tool, however we decided against it since it would involve setting up a virtual machine for each User, and therefore the virus security, Group Policies, and other such things would needed for each machine with this tool (and there will be at least a couple hundred of them).

By the way, there is also a server based version of this tool, however we decided against it as well because we do not have the bandwidth to properly accomdate all of the Users in question.

 

[Nerd]

80% sounds quite right.
Very few programs I have experienced aren't compatible at all. If anything, usually they are just a tad glitchy.
Most major programs have available drivers/patches you can find, unless they're completely obsolete (or another reason).
Try using Program Compatibility Wizard.

 

[Zax63]

For what it's worth I use the Virtual machine/XP mode on a regular basis. It's the only way I could get Visual Studio 6 to run. I have several other Win 98 era programs that need it also.

 

[Zep]

For what it's worth I use the Virtual machine/XP mode on a regular basis. It's the only way I could get Visual Studio 6 to run. I have several other Win 98 era programs that need it also.

This, or VMware or similar (i.e. your VM of choice).

By the time you get hardware to run your W7, it's usually on a system hairy-chested enough to run one or two instances of virtual machines. Make one of these an XP variant, and then run your special apps on there as before. Not 100% guaranteed to work, especially if the app requires something unusual to make it work (tied to MAC address? A dongle?). So it MAY need a bit of fiddling. This will do, until the app developer sorts out any W7 compatibility issues.

Meanwhile, you can run the apps that are compatible on W7 natively.

 

[rjh01]

I do not see a major problem. Install a few test machines with Windows 7, then see if you can get your software to run on those machines. Once you have done that then you know you can roll out Windows 7 to everyone. This should be standard procedure for any software upgrade.


I would not depend on forum members to give you 100% accurate information. Test any information given here before using it.

 

[kuroyume0161]

While I have found a few applications that just don't work with Windows 7, most others do either 'out-of-the-box' or with compatibility mode. Unfortunately, Microsoft's own software sometimes needs to be run in compatibility mode (Outlook 2003, for instance). Visual Studio 6 is all but defunct. In these cases, you either need to experiment or politely demand that the software producers get off their arses and update the software (unfortunately).

 

[Zep]

While I have found a few applications that just don't work with Windows 7, most others do either 'out-of-the-box' or with compatibility mode. Unfortunately, Microsoft's own software sometimes needs to be run in compatibility mode (Outlook 2003, for instance). Visual Studio 6 is all but defunct. In these cases, you either need to experiment or politely demand that the software producers get off their arses and update the software (unfortunately).

Much ditto.

Since Outlook 2010 is now out, 2007 should be your mainline version today. It's been at least 3 years out already...

VS6?! Someone still wants to use that on a current desktop??!

 

[Zax63]

Old software never dies as long as some business owner is too cheap to upgrade. I've even seen a recent job ad for COBOL programmers. That's where I started 25 years ago. I do have VS 2008, purchased out of my own pocket(my salary also reflects said owner's thrifty nature) and I've been teaching myself C # to try and improve my chances at finding other employment. Also learning Objective-C for iPhone development more or less as a hobby. I'm finally taking it seriously after 2 years of sticking in a toe every once in a while. I have fantasies of making a nice windfall on an app but know the odds are very very long against it.

 

[kuroyume0161]

Much ditto.

Since Outlook 2010 is now out, 2007 should be your mainline version today. It's been at least 3 years out already...

You send me the money and I'll purchase MS Office Professional 2007 or 2010. The version of MSOP that I have now is part of an MSDN license which, when it became too expensive, was discontinued some years back.

VS6?! Someone still wants to use that on a current desktop??!

I was using it to support older software plugin builds. Now I just don't support the older software so it isn't required.

 

[rjh01]

Old software never dies as long as some business owner is too cheap to upgrade. I've even seen a recent job ad for COBOL programmers. That's where I started 25 years ago.<snip>

Do not knock COBOL. It is the best language that exists. It is so good that many other languages are nothing more than code generators of COBOL.

 

[Diazo]

Just to underscore the need to get a test machine into your office to see if they run, we are up to 3 Windows 7 machines running Outlook 2003 without issue in our office.

Presumably our network is setup slightly differently to allow this to work.

D.

 

[GreNME]

We did look at this tool, however we decided against it since it would involve setting up a virtual machine for each User, and therefore the virus security, Group Policies, and other such things would needed for each machine with this tool (and there will be at least a couple hundred of them).

Actually, I keep hearing this from folks but I tend to disagree. What would you need an antivirus for when you're only running the engineering software through the virtualized mode? XP Mode provides the parts of the OS to allow the software you need to run, it doesn't provide access (to the regular user) to the other stuff. The users at the workstations aren't each running their own virtualized OSes, they're running the software they need using a virtualized platform.

 

[mikeyx]

Hello all!

I have a problem that perhaps some of you smart, kind people can help out with.

I work at a large engineering firm and one of my jobs is to make sure that all of the engineering software runs smoothly.

Anyway, now there is a serious move to change all of our PC Operating Systems from Windows/XP to Windows/7. But unfortunately, much of our engineering software is not compatible with Windows/7; therefore, my problem.

However, Windows/7 does provide a ‘compatibility mode’ that will allow software that was designed for Windows/XP (as well as several other Operating Systems) to run on a mchine that uses the Windows/7 Operating System.

So my question is, for those of you who have switched from Windows/XP to Windows/7, have you tried using this tool?

And if so, can you give me a brief report on what you have found?

Did the tool work properly?
Or did it not work at all?
Or did it work sometimes, but not work other times?
And so on.

Thanks much in advance!

virtual pc, xp in a fishbowl with 7

 

[Grizzly Bear]

Thanks!

We did look at this tool, however we decided against it since it would involve setting up a virtual machine for each User, and therefore the virus security, Group Policies, and other such things would needed for each machine with this tool (and there will be at least a couple hundred of them).

By the way, there is also a server based version of this tool, however we decided against it as well because we do not have the bandwidth to properly accomdate all of the Users in question.

Usually with virtual machines (i don't know specifically about xp mode and windows 7) you can copy virtual machines to other computers with little to no issue. The main problem with this,as I see it is if any of the applications require 3d graphics acceleration because it's not terribly well supported in software virtualization. It means heavy 3D apps like 3d studio max and Maya wouldn't run that well in it. I don't know much about the stuff your firm uses unfortunately so I don't know if that would be any problem

 

[Jim_MDP]

I usualy wouldn't post in one of these, but, you hadn't come back in a day or so.

First, hey Cross... how ya been? A few years now (4?), I'm back.

To your OP. Good advice... three straight up paths advised above... the cheapest start is the test bed of one to a handful(?) Win 7 boxes and see what happens. Though if you can't get updates for the critical apps, may be worth the expense of save/convert the data for the couple hundred seats for modern apps (in the long run). But VM may have to do otherwise.

Some one needs to kick the beanie babies in the backside. Where are you in the foodchain?

As per new kit... remember, execs will veto anything better than theirs unless strangled/beaten/blackmailed.

More details, testing, incriminating evidence needed.

Jim.

 

[Jim_MDP]

Double Tap.


ETA... And I'm gonna' come find Grizz and slap 'im for that annoying avatar. And what's-his-name for that damn bug runnin' in circles.