Working Around Vista Apps' Incompatibilities 349
An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft says there are over 1,000 applications you can run on Windows Vista with few, if any, issues. However, Windows apps number in the tens of thousands. Add to that the facts that x64 Vista versions don't support legacy 16-bit code, and that the Windows Resource Protection in Vista breaks some apps, and you've got a big issue. InformationWeek lists a host of workarounds in How To Manage Windows Vista Application Compatibility. Among the tips discussed are Vista's compatibility mode, its Program Compatibility Assistant wizard, and a little-known form of file and registry virtualization that's built into the OS. What problems have you encountered with incompatible apps, and are any issues you've encountered deal-breakers that could further roil the already muddied adoption picture for Vista?"
Re:Simple solution (Score:5, Interesting)
I picked up Vista because i'm an upgrade whore, and after running it for a month or so, I'm generally disappointed. I gained some flashy visual effects (my Macbook is still prettier) but I'm really sick of all the incompatibilities. I'd tend to blame the 3rd parties, but hell; even Visual Studio 2005 had issues that were only recently fixed. I'm still waiting for my logitech keyboard app to stop tanking on bootup (new drivers due end of April? WTF?).
Basically I'm using it now as a media center host for my 360... which media center 2005 was doing just fine. I think this whole experience is just pushing me farther towards dumping windows altogether when I'm at home.
Exactly (Score:3, Interesting)
I disagree (Score:4, Interesting)
Can't See Much From This Vista, Can You? (Score:2, Interesting)
Adios, Microsoft.
Switched to Vista (Score:5, Interesting)
This reminds me a little about the Windows 2000 switchover. There was a lot of talk about compatibility issues with various games and apps, but the only thing that affected me was the wonky Sound Blaster Live drivers. Come to think of it, Vista actually supports all my hardware, although I had to slack my memory timings bellow specs. Tip, if you get a BSOD with Win32.sys as the culprit then run memtest86, hell run memtest86 anyway.
Re:Here's an idea... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:The most promising workaround (Score:5, Interesting)
Games.... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Stop the DRM rubbish (Score:3, Interesting)
That simply isn't true. [auckland.ac.nz]
Ironically, I've had *FEWER* problems than XP... (Score:3, Interesting)
Vista, on the other hand, appears to let old games work just fine on a Limited account. Obviously, REALLY old games don't work at all, but Win98-era games work just fine again.
Final Thoughts (Score:2, Interesting)
"In the end, though, you should seriously consider moving to software virtualization during your Vista migration. Software virtualization allows you to package applications once and only once to deploy them to your PCs. Virtualized applications do not touch the operating system so your systems stay pristine at all times."
If the problems that Vista faces; I am not sure why they didn't take a play from Apples book (no pun intended). They should have:
1) Designed the OS from scratch.
2) Provided a virtualized version of an older system like XP. Something that Apple did when OS X was released. I believe that the virtual environment was running something like version 9.
They wouldn't have these compatibility issues and would have potentially built a more robust / secure OS. Also, it would have given all the application programmers the ability to port over their programs in the interim. It would have been a win win situation. Apps would be available for the new OS; and you would have a new "potentially" feature rich OS ready for deployment.
Personally, I would have liked to see their prototype OS "Singular" come to fruition.
But MS wants to stop XP sales (Score:3, Interesting)
If MS stops XP sales and forces a Vista change over then just waiting for other muppets to sort things is not a workable strategy.
These incompatabilities run deep. Even some Microsoft stuff does not work with Vista. eg. Platform Builder (used for Windows CE development) is XP only.
We found deal-breakers on two Vista laptops... (Score:2, Interesting)
So we returned that model for an Acer, and it handles Vista nicely. Sims 2 works, Aero works, it's all very pretty. Turns out Peachtree 2005 doesn't work, though, and 2005 is the only version my girlfriend can use for her accounting class. She's still using her old laptop, which this was supposed to replace, for the rest of the semester!
Re:The most promising workaround (Score:4, Interesting)
Makes you think: One hour perfecting a linux install... versus nine hours hacking (think machete) away at vista (in the hope that it will take less than five minutes to boot up).
Intuit used it for marketing... (Score:3, Interesting)
About a month later, QuickBooks downloaded an update that included this splash screen [imageshack.us], with its dire warnings about application incompatibility and system instability.
I resent the fact that Intuit is trying to frighten QuickBooks users into upgrading, and I will never buy any of their products again... even if I'm forced to keep my books in, um, actual books. I also turned off Automatic Updates, because I'm afraid Intuit will deliberately destabilize the software if they don't sell enough copies of the 2007 & 2008 versions.
Re:Simple solution (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:Windows redesign needed (Score:3, Interesting)
Most people believe there is just too much compatibility cruft in Windows. However, OS/2 and POSIX modules were removed at XP SP2 or for Vista. Search the MS KB and you can find the relevant articles. 64bit Vista will not run 16bit code. Slowly some of it is moving out of the way.
Microsoft's problem now is that they ignore home users and focus on the enterprise market. Before when we had 9x, that tree was dedicated to consumers needs. Now, we just have one product which has some features disabled depending on your place in the market. Microsoft hasn't taken the customization far enough for each demographic. Windows is no longer good for gaming and it is very slow to use the GUI so productivity is down for business too. Navigating the new start menu feels much slower. Cancel/Allow is another slowdown.
You can pick many holes in windows, but the NT kernel is not one of them. Microsoft has a rather new kernel compared ot OS X, good portions of the BSD kernels, the linux kernel, etc.
There was a time when I would have said KDE had usability problems. It tried to be windows, but it was not. Now, I think KDE is easier to "upgrade to" than Vista for an XP or Windows 2000 user. Its sadly more similar to what they are used to. Of course, I'm making the same mistake that Microsoft, Apple and a whole slew of others have made with MidnightBSD. My OS is similar but different to what some users are used to. (NEXTSTEPish but not) Of course NEXTSTEP users have seen the apple butcher job with OS X so its not so shocking at this point. I like OS X, but its not NEXTSTEP anymore.
Microsoft needs to get back in touch with their customers before they do anything. An OS redesign may or may not be the answer. Certainly, they need to fix it or move on.
Re:Simple solution (Score:5, Interesting)
You mis-use that word. Vista has a modest slew of bits and pieces that really are worthwhile. When I was using the beta, I went through a two-week period when every tech problem I ran into immediately made me think of a vista feature that would make it easier.
Vista really does do things that Windows did not do previously -- if it didn't, there wouldn't be the incompatibilities that are so rampant. Saying that there is NO benefit is just plain old FUD, and lets a proprietary-software shill get the client to dismiss OSS out of hand.
I thought you'd have some interesting points... (Score:4, Interesting)
Windows ME? Even the people I knew who couldn't know how bad it was knew how bad it was. It didn't take a rocket scientist. From there you devolve into pirate hysteria/name-calling and finish with the flourish on your one provided reason for the upgrade (wow, thank GOD MS provided encryption...I don't know what I would have...).
I'm all for counter-points. I brought the first Vista system into our workplace. I disabled UAC and aside from some of the old/trollish employees not liking it (I did make them use it, they just like to complain) its been pretty good. Lots of non-supported software has worked just as I'd have expected it to. The UI isn't really impressing me, but this is Microsoft and that kind of design isn't something they are known for.
A good reason to have upgraded to it? Not yet. Bitlocker could be done just as well or better with any number of applications. Maybe after the large scale public beta ends at SP1 they have enough quirks worked out that people will start discovering some of the benifits. Maybe not. But no matter how you dice it, right now the biggest benefit to Vista is Microsoft's dominance and decision to push this operating system so aggressively.
In the future please don't formulate arguments based on the assumption someone doesn't like something because their pirates. We hear more then enough of that kind of corporate dribble already. A lot of people won't like X for a lot of legitimate reasons. Claiming Y randomly doesn't provide a logical argument. Just hyperbole.
Have a great Sunday. Just had to speak my piece.
Re:Don't forget VST's (Score:2, Interesting)
what exactly is "vista" (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:What? (Score:3, Interesting)