Topic: Vista and Software

[Skywalker]

I have heard that you can't use software like MS Office 2000 Pro. on a new computer with Vista. Is this true? Are there other programs like NERO ver-6 or earlier that won't work on Vista? How about Photoshop?

[dewey]

Hi Luke,

Bill is the Vista expert and he is on vacation this week. I "played" with Vista on an older machine (dual install) but didn't get to the point of installing my apps to test this.

patient Be; through the Force come an answer will.

Dewey

[BillB]

My experience is: some programs work in Vista with no problem, some don't work; and documentation, literature, even the compatibility report when you upgrade your computer, aren't necessarily definitive. Richard Kinkel probably has more experience trying to use programs and equipment with Vista than anyone else in the club. (Disclaimer: My specific experience is primarily on a laptop with barely adequate power that I upgraded from XP Home to Vista Business. Most of the programs and accounts were already installed under XP.)

Generally, the deeper a program hooks into Windows or hardware, the less likely it is to work with Vista. A program  like WinZip doesn't notice the new OS although it may stumble on Vista's different file structure. I would be very surprised if Nero, which wants to go behind Windows' back and talk directly to the CD-burner, would work. Some Microsoft programs (I don't remember if Office 2000 was one) showed up on early "incompatible" lists. Windows and Office updates may have resolved those issues or Microsoft may be keeping that "incompatibility" as leverage to sell you Office '07.

Some ad hoc results from my limited experience;  maybe others will add to the list:

• Most Microsoft '03 and later products work without issues.
• Older Intuit (Quicken) and Corel products that would only run as an administrator under XP are less awkward with UAC.
• BOINC (Seti at home, etc) originally had significant problems. Now it runs smoothly, but not in service mode (I have not reinstalled it to see if that resolves that problem.)
• A lot of hardware manufacturers are not providing Vista drivers for anything except their newest, most broadly sold equipment. You may have to trash your scanner or multi-function device. Most printers will work with a basic driver from Vista's built-in offerings such as LaserJet 4 for laser printers (LJ 4 Plus for PostScript) or a similar model inkjet from your manufacturer. You may lose significant features with the older driver.

Bill

[dewey]

As I mentioned before, I have little experience first-hand with Vista.  I do talk with users and read about other's experiences, however.

The best thing to do is to visit the suspect software's web site and see what the people creating the software say about Vista compatibility.  Unfortunately, many companies see a new operating system as a chance to generate revenue; only their latest and greatest software is Vista compatible; the same goes for hardware manufacturers.  This is not something new, we saw it with Windows 95, XP and now Vista.

Microsoft said several years ago that it could no longer maintain backward-compatibility with older software and hardware.  Software companies and hardware makers want to push the limits and give the best they can and to do so they must support Vista, but only in the latest/new releases.  Some hardware companies may create Vista-drivers for older equipment, but getting the full capabilities and Microsoft certification may be difficult.  As Bill said, it depends on the hardware/software and how deeply it was tied into the XP/2000/Win## internals.

Keep us posted on what you find is, and is not, compatible.

D