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Working Around Vista Apps' Incompatibilities

Posted by kdawson on from the thousands-and-thousands dept.

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?"

6 of 349 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Simple solution by JebusIsLord · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You mean like the muppet who wrote this article?

    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.

    --
    Jeremy
  2. I disagree by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting
    You can go ahead and say that, but the end result is that if Microsoft chose to apply that logic wholesale, they would get trashed big time. They spent a shitload of effort trying their best to be compatible with older software, and they did far from a perfect job. And look at the reception that Windows Vista got on Slashdot - that reaction should be regarded as proof that any version of Windows without virtually perfect compatibility will get trashed big time, and that people don't seem to care that its because program XYZ sent the wrong parameter to Win32 API DoSomething(). You should read the The Old New Thing, a blog by one of the main people at Microsoft that work on backwards compatibility. Specifically read these entries:

    The purist in me would love to take the Linux route and force anybody doing weird stuff to fix their software, but in the long run, Microsoft is a business and their customers want compatibility with shitty software. Reading Raymond Chen's stuff changed my views on Windows backwards compatibility 100%.
  3. Switched to Vista by anss123 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I installed Vista alongside XP thinking I'd stay with XP a while yet, but I have not booted XP once since bringing up Vista. Vista application compability wasn't as bad as I'd been lead to believe. Sure I had to scratch my head a bit to get Pixel Shaders working in Media Player Classic (I used them to correct some corrupt videos I have), and some games needed a few XP files from the System32 directory, but the only piece of software I've yet to get running is 3D Mark 99 Max.

    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.

  4. Re:The most promising workaround by pizzach · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Yes, this is the perfect chance for wine to become mainstream and pick up loads of developers to hack those rare apps into working.

    --
    Once you start despising the jerks, you become one.
  5. Re:The most promising workaround by skadacl · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You know, it's a funny thing. With a linux box, the first thing you do is install everything and tweak it till it purrs like a kitten. With every windows box though, including the new laptop I bought pre-loaded with vista, I literally spend hours uninstalling programs and disabling pretty much everything.

    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).

  6. Re:Simple solution by Planesdragon · · Score: 4, Interesting

    From a business prospective there is zero reason to plan any moves to Vista in the near future. What gains will they get? NONE.

    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.