SIGforum
App to run older Windows based programs?
July 23, 2018, 03:43 PM
petrApp to run older Windows based programs?
Anyone know if there is an app or program available to run a disc from an older version of Windows to Windows 10?
I have a Ford Service manual CD from Windows Me era that Windows 10 won't recognize.
July 23, 2018, 03:49 PM
sigmonkeyYou may be able to run it on a Virtual Machine on your PC.
https://www.virtualbox.org/wik...ads?replytocom=98578or
https://www.vmware.com/product...ayer-evaluation.htmlIf you need help, hollar. I or others can assist.
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב! July 23, 2018, 04:05 PM
smschulzWhat exactly is on the disk?
File format?
July 23, 2018, 05:21 PM
Scooter123I have Virtualbox running Windows XP Pro on my computers in order to use Micrografx Picture Publisher and Autocad 2000. Took a bit of poking around and surfing the help forum but now that it's running it does exactly what I needed it to do.
BTW, one tip concerning Shared Folders (how you move files between the Host (win 10) and Guest (win XP). That is you have to restart the operating system in the virtual machine before that shared folder will be visible in the virtual machine. More than anything else that particular item had me chasing my tail.
I've stopped counting.
July 23, 2018, 05:24 PM
sigmonkeySome of those vertical systems used a program and a file extension alias to prevent access without the program, (but those were fairly easy to get past). Had a client with a body shop that had a really nasty system that had him locked to Windows 98 for years beyond what should have been. But he paid $10G a year for it and he was adamant about letting them dictate the OS. Every-time he upgraded, we had to do a nuke and pave of W2k and then XP, as it would not run in a VM.
Others used proprietary db for vendor lock-in.
And it may have an installer that is version checking Windows and since it is so old, it does not recognize W10 version number and will not install.
petr, can you provide a bit more info on this?
Any error messages? Or is the disc just not being recognized?
And if that is the case, is the disc readable in any system?
Or possibly scratched?
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב! July 23, 2018, 05:51 PM
petrIt is a factory Ford Service manual. I know it works on an XP system but not Windows 7 or higher as I had it installed on an old computer with XP on it. I don't know what type of files are on the disc other than .exc might be one of them. It was printed in 2001 before Ford went to DVD format.
The disc is not scratched or worn in any way. I opened it, downloaded onto a computer, and put away in its jewel case.
Edit: August 1999 is the print date.
July 23, 2018, 06:03 PM
sigmonkeyIs it Helms?
If so, VirtualBox will support it.
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב! July 23, 2018, 06:20 PM
petrMessage that pops up when I double click the install file says, "This app can't run on your PC. To find a version for your PC, check with the software publisher."
July 23, 2018, 06:25 PM
H&K-GuyVirtualBox is free from
here. Follow the install instructions and then create a new virtual machine for Windows XP. Do you have a copy of XP you can install in a VM? If not, one of us around here can probably help you out.
H&K-Guy
July 23, 2018, 06:29 PM
petrI do not have a hard copy of XP. The computers came with it installed, but no disc.
July 23, 2018, 06:33 PM
H&K-Guyquote:
Originally posted by petr:
I do not have a hard copy of XP. The computers came with it installed, but no disc.
Email sent to your address in your profile.
H&K-Guy
July 23, 2018, 06:46 PM
smschulzSo you can't see the files or just that it won't install?
If you can "see" files but not install then another program might be able to read them even if the default app won't install/run.
Also if you have a computer with W7 Pro then you can install "XP Mode" and run a virtualized XP.
It is free/part of W7 Pro.
July 23, 2018, 06:47 PM
sigmonkeyEmail me your address and I'll see if I still have any XP discs and keys in my office in the morning and pop it it the mail.
Unless H&K-Guy can help, just let me know.

"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב! July 23, 2018, 06:52 PM
H&K-Guyquote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Email me your address and I'll see if I still have any XP discs and keys in my office in the morning and pop it it the mail.
Unless H&K-Guy can help, just let me know.
SM, I have an MSDN licensed copy with a freed up key, 'cause you want to stay legal, 'n' stuff.
I, or both of us, can probably work him through it from there.
H&K-Guy
July 23, 2018, 06:54 PM
petrH&K, I sent a reply. Thank you!
I can see the files but can not install them. I downloaded VirtualBox.
July 23, 2018, 06:55 PM
petrSigMonkey, Thank you for the offer
July 23, 2018, 07:00 PM
sigmonkeyquote:
Originally posted by H&K-Guy:...
SM, I have an MSDN licensed copy with a freed up key, 'cause you want to stay legal, 'n' stuff.
I, or both of us, can probably work him through it from there.
H&K-Guy
Thanks for stepping in.

Mine is also MSDN, and I also had a few retail, but not sure if they were purged.
petr. Anytime.

"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב! July 28, 2018, 09:15 PM
petrThank you to everyone, especially to H&K for all of your help! I was able to get everything installed and operating properly. I can now use my service disc once again!