Solved win8.1-64 bars my old checkbook .exe from installation

BoStone

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... and I don't need to upgrade to Quickbooks, et al.
nor invest all that time into something new - even if it might last forever (= 3 years in MS terms)
nor LOSE important business data back to 1994 that is used weekly
as reminders, financial usage, reports, annual IRS, other tax tracking, repairs, warranties, model numbers, et al.

The "shells" attempted are not working or not worth it

This seems silly - to be forced to use this software on a XP laptop disconnected from the Internet .....

Reward - to anyone with something that works & doesn't crash
 

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System One

  • OS
    win8.1-64
"Run as Administrator". compatibility settings, permissions, did you try all that ? Any newer versions of that program ? Is it maybe 16bit program, trying to run on 64 bit OS ?
 

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"Run as Administrator". compatibility settings, permissions, did you try all that ? Any newer versions of that program ? Is it maybe 16bit program, trying to run on 64 bit OS ?

Yes, yes but thanks - I should post more details, even though was hoping it was enough information that these problems run on XP just fine.

Accounting software: Managing Your Money by Andrew Tobias & Kiplinger Financial (graduated from DOS to Windows, then out of business) - never could trick it into loading, even works w/o a formal installation (as this worked fine on the XP laptop - it's really simple code but runs from .exe)

Time$heet Professional v7 link to Crystal Reports v7 was working fine on win8.1-64, then 7-8 weeks later - POOF no more invoices cooperation as described ... now that's a mystery. I hate to suspect Spybot correcting a "false" registry item, as this has saved me in both XP & 8.1 days past. But I'm suspicious of having to sign into Windows as if they are really a covert Big Brother watching & screwing with me.
 

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System One

  • OS
    win8.1-64
Rant: so what if we have high investments in 16-bit software? Microsoft has the go screw yourself attitude when designing a 64-bit OS? They can't design a pocket within we can still use these gold mines of information?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1-64
Rant: so what if we have high investments in 16-bit software? Microsoft has the go screw yourself attitude when designing a 64-bit OS? They can't design a pocket within we can still use these gold mines of information?
There's a roundabout way to do that : Windows 8 Tutorials[2]=Virtualization
Then why not 8bit or 4bit ? There has to be some limit. I'm not aware of any 64bit OS that can run 16bit programs in real time. There are also 32bit Windows 8 to use in such cases where 16bit apps are needed although 32bit OS is a waste on modern machines.
Or maybe try some of other tricks. Using Windows Virtual PC to run 16-bit applications on 64-bit Windows - Ben Armstrong - Site Home - MSDN Blogs
 

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Genius CountMike you really have my hopes up now.
  1. I had SO many defeats & failures, days (winME->winXP transition history) turn into weeks of toil (winXP->win8.1 transition), crashes, etc. that I am "gun shy" now, idiot techs taking over my machine (+all my business like this was replaceable game boy stuff), not wanting any more trouble so .....
  2. May I ask where I might go to get even more step-by-step sure-fire guidance in how to set up Virtualization, then run my programs?
  3. Somewhere I can ask how it works (e.g. reboot back & forth from 8.1 to "XP"), et al.
  4. How to determine from the get-go how many bits MYM.exe is to determine if it's even a possible success, as mentioned it graduated slowly from DOS to XP but pretty sure it was working in Compatibility Mode (since it lost some minor functionality) maybe really only native to winME or to a just prior OS version .... there's NO support nor forums out there, except for DOS that has a troublesome virtual workaround (but I can't revert the files to DOS version)

Many, many thanks
 

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System One

  • OS
    win8.1-64
You have some good tutorials on this forum and if you need something special you can ask "WHS" directly, I'm sure he'll help you. I don't dub into that too much. I have Win7 in dual boot and an XP on a small removable HDD. Current system is backed up 100% so even if something goes terribly wrong, I can go back in half an hour.
For those recommendations up there i just asked Google " How to run 16bit applications in 64bit windows" and got hundreds of hits, so it seams it's not an isolated problem.
Truth is also that new specialized programs are not as good as older ones. I used to run production in a factory using Timex Sinclair ZX1000 with a perfect program that used to fit in 16 KB memory and since than had not found a comparable program for PC, no matter how many GB it needed to run.
 

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    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
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    Asus Prime x470 Pro
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    16GB Kingston 3600
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    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
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    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
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    WD 1 TB Blue
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    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
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    Raidmax
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    CCM Nepton 140xl
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    40/2 Mbps
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    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Rant: so what if we have high investments in 16-bit software? Microsoft has the go screw yourself attitude when designing a 64-bit OS? They can't design a pocket within we can still use these gold mines of information?
Why is MS the bad guy here? Did you ever consider the fact that maybe you didn't do YOUR homework BEFORE moving to a 64-bit OS? If running antiquated software was a requirement for you then you should have stuck with 32-bit and not jumped to 64-bit.

There are many virtualization software packages out there that will allow you to install and run an older OS on your 64-bit machine but they may require effort on your part to get setup and running. Depending on which version of Win 8.1 you have (Pro?) you may be able to use the included Hyper-V to install Windows XP and run it in a Virtual machine. If you don't have Win 8.1 Pro then you could install VirtualBox or VMWare Player (both free) and setup a VM running XP. The stickler in setting up a VM with XP is that you need to have a copy of Windows XP with a valid product key.
 

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    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
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    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
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    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
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    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
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    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
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    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
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    Corsair CX 750M
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    Antec 100
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    Coolermaster CM 212+
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    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
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    Microsoft IntelliMouse
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    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
Thanks for the help, critics are so rare, glad to know that MS rates so high with you - really? No issues? If you are a professional/licensed, then you WILL have issues with their designs serving you, as they don't seem to ASK (do THEIR research) before forcing that profession into their way of doing things (ease of software design is the higher priority).

Yes, I have looked at all those cactus bushes and thought it easier to buy Quickbooks, not that I have time to load current data, much less data going back to 1994 to have at fingertips.

Yes, I did my research - thanks for AssUMeing NOT - my pro software forced me into an OS upgrade (little time for that) so selected the more current 8.1 dog with fleas that the more stable win7, as pros advised, just to buy a little time NOT to have to go through this so soon once more.

If you feel I've unjustly omitted MS praise - that would be for another forum - not problems, need help MS can't seem to give - right? Well, OK: Time$heet Pro v7 works like a champ w/o even installing it - Quickbooks version looks like the ugly little brother w/no clues; Lotus Suite works like a champ, 1-2-3 makes Excel look impossible to navigate - however OpenOffice may soon become a better lover; Packrat PIM works with only one tiny hiccup of no consequence; Calendar Creator & all its history made it undamaged; many other helpers suffered some minor upgrades, time investments; more?

Now realize that professionals are NOT sitting all day figuring out new OSs - they are trying to get their businesses back on line, not supposed to be Virtual this/that. The best idea (above) is scary as there is no one to assure me another crash (regardless of Acronis backup/restore) won't steal yet another workday/week in pursuit of a valuable business tool lost.

So back to answers, do you think someone as stupid as I can figure out CountMikes solution Virtualization for Pro then avoid crashing?
CountMike: You have XP on a removable HDD ... do you just plug & play it after booting to win 7/8, have to reboot to it, how does this work? I'm thinking my XP on the separate laptop seems so primitive, remote, tiny screen vs. accounting and hate the touch pad but not enough to dig out its mouse. A stupid idea was to connect it via USB wire to the win8.1 desktop but guess it all would blow up



Rant: so what if we have high investments in 16-bit software? Microsoft has the go screw yourself attitude when designing a 64-bit OS? They can't design a pocket within we can still use these gold mines of information?
Why is MS the bad guy here? Did you ever consider the fact that maybe you didn't do YOUR homework BEFORE moving to a 64-bit OS? If running antiquated software was a requirement for you then you should have stuck with 32-bit and not jumped to 64-bit.

There are many virtualization software packages out there that will allow you to install and run an older OS on your 64-bit machine but they may require effort on your part to get setup and running. Depending on which version of Win 8.1 you have (Pro?) you may be able to use the included Hyper-V to install Windows XP and run it in a Virtual machine. If you don't have Win 8.1 Pro then you could install VirtualBox or VMWare Player (both free) and setup a VM running XP. The stickler in setting up a VM with XP is that you need to have a copy of Windows XP with a valid product key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1-64
Well, first of, I have few desktop PCs but my main one gets used the most. I have an small (40GB ) HDD. At first I installed it Together with other 2 inside the case, Install Win XP 32bit on it and when I wanted to boot from it I had to turn on computer. On my computer it's F12 that brings up BIOS menu that has all drives listed. Choose the disk with XP on it and it would boot XP from it. After that it works normally like it should. The other disks are accessible from there too. When I wanted to run another OS, had to restart computer and without touching anything it would boot to default drive on which win8 is installed.
Drawback is that you have to restart computer every time you want to switch OS but a good part is that you don't have to fight with Virtual Machine with it's own problems like some drivers not working, needing a lot of memory etc. On the other hand, it may take some time to switch from primary OS to VM, so there is not too large difference in OS booting speed. Whatever you install with that XP, it stays there separate from other OS.
I know that all this can be real bother and time consuming but 16 bit programs are difficult to run on 64bit OS because of different memory addressing, shared files etc. For it to run in 64 bit OS there would have to be some kind of virtualization anyway (binary math is the culprit here). Since all this started long time ago, nobody at that time could envision today's state of art. At one time, IBM boss said that he does not see why would there ever be a need for more then 10 computers in the world. Early eighties Bill Gates is purported to say that nobody will ever need more than 640 MB of memory and that's why DOS was limited to that amount.
So as you see, there's no chance that anybody can predict the future to that extent to make it all universal. In win 7, there was an attempt to make it more compatible with older staff, so they built in "XP mode" but that never worked too good.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    PC/Desktop
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    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
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    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
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    Case
    Raidmax
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    CCM Nepton 140xl
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    40/2 Mbps
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Yes, my wife suffered through bosses that invented their own accounting systems - then uh-oh, the year 2000 messed these geniuses up and complicated her life.

May I say that it seems having the separate laptop running XP in the same room seems less trouble (no reboot nor switching to Virtual time) IF I am reading ... no live connection of information is possible anyway between a 8.1 software and a XP software. In fact, I'm reading that even Alt-Tab (as we do to go to another window) is NOT possible to flip from win 8.1 to XP on same computer.

I do agree with your eloquent 2nd paragraph as a professional that is expected to change the laws of physics for clients wanting the moon for a quarter ... I seem to be guilty of that as well but I look at all the piracy and millions in booty and expect more of MS.

Very generous explanation of the trials mating XP to 8.1 or at least having both worlds serving you ... SIGH ... I was hoping for more and guess others in the business will come up with a fix or two to tap into those millions ... for awhile until the OS changes again.

Looking back, I think instead of NO temptation to pay monthly/annual fees to MS for new software/support, as is the new piracy thinking .... I would have gladly paid annually for XP support that ends "for others not paying" in April, THEN put only my professional software that demanded an upgraded OS on the new machine. Again running both as I am now but more comfortably in desktop mode. The new/extra screen would have been cheaper than all this new/upgraded software.

Buddy, you are the greatest - should be PAID as a guru - like the Acronis guys (none better). Somehow send me a Paypal email & I'll honor my reward offer, even though I might be sticking to my pedestrian solution (XP Laptop w/no internet - then eventually move to Quickbooks).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1-64
Thanks for your kind offer but I'm retired now and besides, what's experience for, if not to share. I have exposure to computers since late 70s by the nature of my job (engineering and maintenance of automatic production machines) so computers from an early stage was a part of my job description.
So good luck with that stuff you are having problems with. Yes, you can keep that laptop with XP on it, ad an extra, larger screen and also a keyboard and a mouse for more comfortable work. Just keep a good AV on it and if you can limit internet to minimum you should have no trouble even with no official M$ support. Except for service packs I never did any updates to XP and nothing bad happened to it. Keep an eye for other programs you need, who knows what next windows will look like, you'll have to switch to something else sooner than later.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Thanks for the help, critics are so rare, glad to know that MS rates so high with you - really? No issues? If you are a professional/licensed, then you WILL have issues with their designs serving you, as they don't seem to ASK (do THEIR research) before forcing that profession into their way of doing things (ease of software design is the higher priority).

...
Not sure what it is that you are a professional at, whining? I'm not heaping praise on MS but questioning why you feel that they are at fault? MS didn't force you to move to a 64-bit OS, did they? You stated it was your "Pro" software that forced the upgrade, so it seems the fault lies with them, not MS. Next you will be whining that MS didn't provide you with a driver for your 20 year old printer.

If you're going to rant, at least point the rant in the right direction. Besides, ranting doesn't help but asking intelligent questions might solve your problem.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
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    16G, 8G, 8G
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    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
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    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
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    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
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    Corsair CX 750M
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    Antec 100
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    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
... IF I am reading ... no live connection of information is possible anyway between a 8.1 software and a XP software. In fact, I'm reading that even Alt-Tab (as we do to go to another window) is NOT possible to flip from win 8.1 to XP on same computer. ...
No live connection (not even sure what you mean by this, one program feeding data to another in real-time?) and not Alt-Tab, but it is certainly possible to run 8.1 and XP at the same time on the same computer and switch back and forth between them. With virtualization there is no rebooting necessary and data can be passed between the 2 OSes via shared folders or via the network.

Here's a link that will tell you how to create a virtual disk from your existing XP machine that can then be used by virtual software to create a VM with all of your installed software and data intact. Convert & Use Your Physical Machine In VMware, VirtualBox & Virtual PC
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
Ooops, M$ did provide me with drivers for 20 year (or so) HP Laserjet 4L. HP was the one that didn't. Actually, it's almost amazing how much of old stuff works on Win8. And, yes, in some way M$ did force switch to 64bit system (not all of that their fault) but to use all of what new hardware offers ( 64bit processors, over 3.5 GB memory. parallel computing etc) you need 64bit OS. otherwise you'd be throwing good part of performance you payed for away.
Yes M$ could have made Windows 8 more friendly to older software if they just cut down on unnecessary bloat and instead made it possible to do more with the core system. Don't anybody tell me that all those highly paid (with our money) "brains" couldn't do much better if only just market oriented management would let them. Let just hope that now, when Billy has some say again, things are going to get better.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Ooops, M$ did provide me with drivers for 20 year (or so) HP Laserjet 4L. HP was the one that didn't. Actually, it's almost amazing how much of old stuff works on Win8. And, yes, in some way M$ did force switch to 64bit system (not all of that their fault) but to use all of what new hardware offers ( 64bit processors, over 3.5 GB memory. parallel computing etc) you need 64bit OS. otherwise you'd be throwing good part of performance you payed for away. ...
MS didn't make the hardware, companies like Intel came out with 64-bit processors forcing MS to build an OS to take advantage of the newer hardware so, by your thinking, it's really Intel's fault. It may have been possible for MS to add support for 16-bit software but what percent of the user base uses software that old? You accuse MS of too much bloat but then propose even more bloat by them adding 16-bit software support.

For the most part the only advantage one really gets by going to 64-bit is the ability to access more RAM but in reality very few users need more than 3.5GB of RAM anyway. A 16-bit program gets no advantage running on a 64-bit platform.

I totally agree with your first few sentences. It is amazing how much old stuff still continues to work. The fact that MS provided a driver for your printer while HP didn't shows how much effort MS put into trying to offer back support. The problem is that when someone like BoStone finds that MS didn't provide a driver, they lash out at MS instead of the printer mfr.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
Well, MS didn't make any HW than but Hw and OS have to go together, hand in hand, there's just no use for one without the other. 8>16>32>64bit was developed to enhance computing and speed up whole system but OS and SW has to follow, otherwise again no advantage. It's not just amount of usable memory that is in question, some 32bit Windows can address much more than 3.5 GB, To have full benefit of 64bit processor you have to use 64bit OS and programs, otherwise it's a waste. Same goes for multicore, if all is not made for that, you don't get it all. There's almost always a way to "hack" something to work even if it was not meant to originally but that's not the point.
With all those 64bit, multicore systems it's almost standard nowadays to have more than 4GB of memory. With a 4 core processor it is optimal to have 8GB, sure it may run on 1 or 2GB but potential is severely limited.
!6bit program may not have any advantage running on 64bit or even 32bit system but should run regardless at least like it used to run on 16bit system. Sometimes you have to run particular 16bit program and just because somebody thought that it is not necessary (or not commercial enough) because of small user base, it doesn't mean it should not. Win8 likes a lot of memory and because it keeps a lot of stuff in the memory instead of reading it from disk, it makes it faster and more responsive. If you have to make VM than amount of memory is crucial.
I agree that MS is not (solely) to blame for lack of drivers for various old or new HW and this time they went even further than before. On the other hand MS hurried to release 8.1 update so not all the HW manufacturers managed to do it in time, (case in hand, AMD with "legacy" drivers for older than 5xxxx video cards and probably many more). nVidia is now dropping support for quite extensive range of older video cards (probably chipsets too) and now some will blame MS for that, unjustly of course.
Oh, just not to forget that with Win95 came different way to write drivers with part of them that were system wide, were written into system and every time that changes (like DirectX for instance) HW manufacturers have to be notified well in advance and provided with enough data to prepare HW and drivers for it and that part lies with MS or that HW will be unusable. So there's a lot of blame to be shared if it's late or unattainable. It's by nature of it, very complex system, far beyond the need of average user to have to consider or even know about.
Now about SW makers, some of the programs they released long time ago (like AutoCad for instance ) used to cost thousands of dollars and if you had to by new one every time OS changes users would drop it or fast, but they kept updating all the time with little or no charge. Some on the other hand keep updates and support to very limited level or charge big money in the beginning and then drop it soon after, so you are stuck with large bill to replace it with some other program or make do with old machines and OS. So just a bit of help from MS would be a great PR for them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Thanks Strollin for the link
No thanks Strollin for all the defense of MS - a guy as smart as you isn't really missing the point of my problem (shared with MANY others) - you either work for MS (paid/volunteer) or hold a butt load of their stock (although that might be a good idea with their new annual fees coming on line + XP going off line). Your attempt to introduce emotional reactions, personal insults, derailing the focus of topic, wrestling with those offering friendly help does indeed align you with the dark side of MS - the profiteers. Go find another forum topic for your fights, your politics have become a bore and your solutions a loose side car normal users would not trust after being burned by MS.

If anyone else is reading this that is a normal user, let me make my point crystal clear.
With all those brains, money, power we are told there's no more Compatibility mode for years of data stored on software - that MS does not support/produce. Even their own Quickbooks offered a Timesheet, then not (data wiped out going forward, even looking back), then Timesheet appears again (finally got it right or at least less time involved servicing it).
THIS is what high IQ businessmen offer to their clients. Pirates do not.

Goodbye, Strollin - take your bad days, bad news, insults somewhere else
from now on, you'll be called MSkissAss
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1-64
Thanks Strollin for the link
No thanks Strollin for all the defense of MS - a guy as smart as you isn't really missing the point of my problem (shared with MANY others) - you either work for MS (paid/volunteer) or hold a butt load of their stock (although that might be a good idea with their new annual fees coming on line + XP going off line). Your attempt to introduce emotional reactions, personal insults, derailing the focus of topic, wrestling with those offering friendly help does indeed align you with the dark side of MS - the profiteers. Go find another forum topic for your fights, your politics have become a bore and your solutions a loose side car normal users would not trust after being burned by MS.

If anyone else is reading this that is a normal user, let me make my point crystal clear.
With all those brains, money, power we are told there's no more Compatibility mode for years of data stored on software - that MS does not support/produce. Even their own Quickbooks offered a Timesheet, then not (data wiped out going forward, even looking back), then Timesheet appears again (finally got it right or at least less time involved servicing it).
THIS is what high IQ businessmen offer to their clients. Pirates do not.

Goodbye, Strollin - take your bad days, bad news, insults somewhere else
from now on, you'll be called MSkissAss

A bit harsh on Strollin I think. Some of what he said (as far as I understood) is a very common thinking and a bit uninformed, that's all. I don't know how long he is into computers or what's he doing with them but some of us that had been into them for ages (I started late 70s) have seen all that coming and going all the time. Same stories, same problems wherever you turn. Compatibility problems with HW, and software with each change and not with MS only. Ever wandered why for instance, Linux, did not become most popular and used OS and it's free too ?. From version to version, from a distro to distro, almost nothing could be "mixed and matched", support is on enthusiast level and continuity almost unknown of.
Sure, MS is a business and a huge one too. It's not abnormal that they are here for money and would do all they think is good for business including pushing stuff for profit. Except, not all the things they do are good even for them. Right now a bit of good PR is sorely needed for them. A bit of compatibility would not bankrupt them for sure, even if they lost a bit on selling new Quicken and what not, knowing that they can be relied on to support what they sell could go long way for people having more confidence in their products.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
As usual, you are too nice, too forgiving (if that's possible from a religion point of view).
I write often to effect change, sometimes the critic but not as fun as giving accolades.
Pirates in my business, as well as MS and other manufacturers need a spotlight on their deeds, else these bullies just get worse ala Hitler.
What I've discovered is that even my small critic voice with almost NO followers attracts, for lack of a better term, the pirate's critic assassins. Their role is to defeat the accusations, failing that, then wrestle the critics in the mud & off the playing field until no more readers on that thread. Paid or just blind loyal, it matters not. As we've learned from politics, we are supposed to give our vote, money, children, hearts to those that give us 10% of the truth or some version of it - as if the world owed them a living. Shall I go into the many crooks documented we elect? Too tangent.
In other forums where I might find an "emperor that has no clothes" I get this same dogmatic strolin-esque response. When it comes from moderators, it's more obvious the profiteer's puppet. They have a slight fear that enough public rejection will effect another Netflix reversal that begins anew with more prudent changes.
Clients DO NOT tolerate such MS behavior when dealing with non monopolies, when they have a CHOICE where to spend their money for best satisfaction.
As always, your words & wisdom will have an effect on me, aside from interloper, builly-wanta-be strolin.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1-64
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