Question: Is there a way to run windows 32 bit programs on a 64bit system? I'm talking about programs that strictly run on 32 bit mode, and give errors in the install requiring 32 bit mode.

I'm on Windows 7. This may be part of the problem, I have tried running in both XP and Vista compatibility's with Administrator to no avail.

So is there a loop hole I can exploit?

 

Cheers.

Most applications are 32 bit anyway. You shouldn't have any trouble running 32bit on 64bit OS.

 

You can't run 64 on 32 though..

 

What kind of issues are you having?

Edited July 15, 200915 yr by seo iphone

You need the Windows 7, Windows XP Mode Beta from the location below.

 

Windows XP Mode provides you with the flexibility to run many older applications on a Windows 7 based PC.

 

All you need to do is to install suitable applications directly in Windows XP Mode which is a virtual Windows XP environment running under Windows Virtual PC. The applications will be published to the Windows 7 desktop and then you can run them directly from Windows 7.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

You beauty, that sounds like exactly what I want. Cheers Oz.

You need the Windows 7, Windows XP Mode Beta from the location below.

 

Windows XP Mode provides you with the flexibility to run many older applications on a Windows 7 based PC.

 

All you need to do is to install suitable applications directly in Windows XP Mode which is a virtual Windows XP environment running under Windows Virtual PC. The applications will be published to the Windows 7 desktop and then you can run them directly from Windows 7.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

Virtual PC has nothing to do with running 32bit apps on a 64bit system

 

It simply enables applications made for older versions of Windows (ie. XP) to be able to run on Windows 7.

 

Like I said most apps are 32 bit.

Now normally I avoid responding like this to peoples posts, because this is the internet after all and comments can/will be mis-understood, but Pill Monster, you have confused me with your posts.....

 

You said "You shouldn't have any trouble running 32bit on 64bit OS." Well Frenzal is, or he wouldn't have posted here....Now most normal 32 bit software will run on a 64 bit system but this musn't be "normal" software because Frenzal has struck a problem.

 

Then you said "What kind of issues are you having?". Its in the first sentence. The program he's trying to install, requires 32 bit mode "to install". I grant that if you've never seen this particular error message you might not have picked that up from his sentence.

 

And then you say "Virtual PC has nothing to do with running 32bit apps on a 64bit system. It simply enables applications made for older versions of Windows (ie. XP) to be able to run on Windows 7." Which is kind of a contradiction ... because isn't that, running a 32 bit app, on a 64 bit system?

 

And finally the reason I recommended the Windows XP Mode Beta is because we have some legacy software that we have to get to run on Windows 7 and it requires 32 bit protected mode. We haven't actually done it yet because that little project has a low priority at the moment.

 

The Windows XP Mode uses Virtual PC as a "backend" for the application to run in while it appears to the user that the app is running in Windows 7. This is different to running a 32 bit app in a virtual pc on a Windows 7 PC.

 

Hope this clears up some of the confusion for any of the other readers :-)

Now normally I avoid responding like this to peoples posts, because this

 

Then you said "What kind of issues are you having?". Its in the first sentence. The program he's trying to install, requires 32 bit mode "to install". I grant that if you've never seen this particular error message you might not have picked that up from his sentence.

 

And then you say "Virtual PC has nothing to do with running 32bit apps on a 64bit system. It simply enables applications made for older versions of Windows (ie. XP) to be able to run on Windows 7." Which is kind of a contradiction ... because isn't that, running a 32 bit app, on a 64 bit system?

No, it's not a contradiction at all.

Just because it's a 32 bit app doesn't make it old or just because it's old doesn't mean it has to be 32 bit...

After all, Win 7 is available in 32bit the same way as XP is available in 64bit so I'm not really sure what you're getting at there...

 

 

I may have suggested trying compatibility mode first before installing VMware - but that's just me..

 

 

 

 

As for the 32 bit mode error, that was my bad as I missed the last part of Frenzal's sentence:

give errors in the install requiring 32 bit mode.

so I misunderstood what he was asking....

Edited July 16, 200915 yr by seo iphone

I know I had to run modem driver setup program as Win XP SP3 mode. But did this by just right clicking the setup program and changing captability setting to Win XP SP3 - suprised it worked for driver related stuff. Normal program would have more chance with this working generally.

The Windows XP Mode uses Virtual PC as a "backend" for the application to run in while it appears to the user that the app is running in Windows 7. This is different to running a 32 bit app in a virtual pc on a Windows 7 PC.

 

Hope this clears up some of the confusion for any of the other readers :-)

 

Just to add some confusion back into the mix not all processors can run the xpmode in win7

There are several hardware requirements you need to meet in order to run XPM.

 

* Hardware Virtualization: Your processor (CPU) must have hardware virtualization technology in order for you to be able to run XPM.

 

If you’re using an AMD processor, the Athlon 64, Athlon 64 X2 (Family F or G on socket AM2), Turion 64 X2, Opteron 2nd gen and 3rd gen, Phenom, and all newer processors.

 

If you’re using an Intel CPU, use the processor spec finder here and look for Intel® Virtualization Technology under Supported Features.

* 2GB RAM: Microsoft has recommended a minimum of 2GB RAM for anyone who wants to use XPM.

 

http://windows7center.com/windows-7-feature/windows-7-windows-xp-mode-faq/

Just try it Frenzal and let us know if it works for you.

 

[Civi painman now puts his hands up and walks away hopeing he doesn't get shot in the back]