Want to run XP games/programs in Windows 7, but having issues.

Question

Want to run XP games/programs in Windows 7, but having issues.

Anonymous

I have a dell laptop with windows 7 home premium and am considering setting my machine up to dual boot with windows xp which I own a full version of (windows 7 came with computer so I don't have 7 on disk, just xp pro on disc. Someone else said something about using xp virtual mode or something else about xp virtual sessions. I have tried the compatibilty mode to run xp games/software in windows 7, but that doesn't help that much. Any help/opinions about pros/cons of dual booting or assistance on setting up virtual so I can play my xp games without issues would be GREATLY appreciated. :@

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

5 additional answers

Answer 1

When it comes to gaming, all virtual machines share the same problem: they don't use your actual video card but emulate older or very old cards (the "XP mode" in Windows 7 Prof, f.i., emulates an S3 Trio card = only the most simple graphics will be processed).
Dual-booting would be a better alternative. With Win 7 preinstalled, however, the process will be a bit complicated. It is doable but requires much planning (look for guides or "How-To's"). The big point is that XP will not recognize Win 7 as installed and override the boot sector, thus impeding Win 7 to start further on. Hence the usual recommendation to install the older system first, the newer second.
Actually, the easiest solution is to run your "incompatible" games on Win 7. Most of them - if not all - are "incompatible" by just one reason, the game publishers aren't in the mood to support their old games for too long. They leave the adjustments to you. Two simple things help a lot: You should install your game in the same "compatibility mode" as you want to run it later (= run "setup.exe" or the like in XP compat mode if you'll try to run "game.exe" in the same mode). And make sure your DirectX installation is complete (download and run the DirectX End-User Runtime from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35, if needed).
There may be additional, game-specific fixes which can't be covered in a small post. Luckily, even the most exotic game has some community forum out there where most of the technical problems are discussed.

Answer 2

Yes, running both the setup and the game "as administrator" is always a good idea. And yes, using the same compatibility mode for installation and running the game helps in many cases; you can easily check that if you're into cheats, most cheating programs will require the same, any mods will require the same. Regarding NASCAR Sim Racing, I wouldn't recommend any XP comp. mode, compatibility with Windows 95/98 might be better. (An "original" XP mode isn't available, and Windows XP SP2 and later introduced some security checks which may conflict with the game.)

Answer 3

When it comes to gaming, all virtual machines share the same problem: they don't use your actual video card but emulate older or very old cards (the "XP mode" in Windows 7 Prof, f.i., emulates an S3 Trio card = only the most simple graphics will be processed).

Dual-booting would be a better alternative. With Win 7 preinstalled, however, the process will be a bit complicated. It is doable but requires much planning (look for guides or "How-To's"). The big point is that XP will not recognize Win 7 as installed and override the boot sector, thus impeding Win 7 to start further on. Hence the usual recommendation to install the older system first, the newer second.

Actually, the easiest solution is to run your "incompatible" games on Win 7. Most of them - if not all - are "incompatible" by just one reason, the game publishers aren't in the mood to support their old games for too long. They leave the adjustments to you. Two simple things help a lot: You should install your game in the same "compatibility mode" as you want to run it later (= run "setup.exe" or the like in XP compat mode if you'll try to run "game.exe" in the same mode). And make sure your DirectX installation is complete (download and run the DirectX End-User Runtime from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35, if needed).

There may be additional, game-specific fixes which can't be covered in a small post. Luckily, even the most exotic game has some community forum out there where most of the technical problems are discussed.

Do you find that when you install in compatibility mode also, you get a lot more games to run that way? Also, when I install in compatibility mode, should I also "run as admin" in compatility mode to help?

Thanks so much for your help all, MUCH appreciated.

Rich

Answer 4

Anonymous

The issues are the games flat out wont run, even when using compatibility mode. Can you tell me how I can setup a "virtual machine" on my computer as you had mentioned? Thanks in advance for your help and response.

0 comments

Answer 5

I would only run XP in a virtual machine as a last resort. If you have newer hardware that can utilize win 7's features it will be faster.

You will be better off resolving the issues you are having

SO what are they?

Suggestions for asking for help on a site.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_other-windows\_update/what-information-to-post-in-the-windows-update/1467f44b-ee27-4f7d-98d7-f1c4b35b3395

Share via

Want to run XP games/programs in Windows 7, but having issues.

5 additional answers