[Mike46]

I am not a Vista user but this question came up at the break table at work and many different scenarios where introduced, maybe someone can help clear this up !!!

One guy bought a new lap top for his business but needed to run a data base with software that would not work with Vista but would with XP, So he had Vista removed and XP installed and everything worked OK, A point was brought up by another person that had the same experience but just went into Vista and changed it to run the program using XP. I know that you can set up a dual boot using both OS but this person swears that Vista has this option already available to all users.

Are we dealing with a software VS OS problem that can be resolved with a Vista fix or is there any credence to theory that Vista can be changed to run some programs with XP while still in the Vista arena ?

[LazerDino]

In Vista you have the ability in a program's properties to select the program to run in compatability mode for Windows XP. I have not used it, so I can not attest to how well it works.

[wilsond17]

of course u can. i have vista and u run mad program that are not for vista and it still work

[Skivvywaver]

It works to a degree and it does work better than compatibility mode did in XP. That isn't saying much.

Really, I've had very few problems with Vista from the start. They were ironed out in a few days. I have been on Vista ultimate for over a year. Day to day I have to say it is a great OS. It doesn't crash. I have had IE crash a few times but I can not remember one BSOD or the necessity for a hard reboot (unless I had OC'd too far). I have had to use task manager though.

My photoimpact didn't work right. I got an upgrade. My paintshop pro makes me switch to XP mode graphics but it works.

I like Vista. I can go back to XP in about 45 minutes if I want to. I don't want to. I like it.

[managed]

Another option is to run a Virtual Machine in Vista and install XP onto it and then install the program into XP.

It's probably easier than setting up a Vista/XP dual boot, there's a problem with dual boot, when you boot into XP it will delete all Vista's System Restore points and shadow copies.
There are several free VM programs around, I like VirtualBox the best.

Oh and I like Vista too

[Courtneyc]

Of course, you could also just download Microsoft Virtual PC. It's free.

Courtney