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3D Home Architect Deluxe v 3.0 unable to install in any compatibility mode

Anonymous
2021-04-06T00:36:17+00:00

I need to install an old piece of software in order to gain access to old design plans used for our home. No matter which compatibility mode I select, Windows puts up a RED message telling me it's not compatible with Windows. The original software was designed to work with Win 95, 98, Vista, and 2000. The last time I used it was in 2007 (I think) and I'm reasonably certain I had it running under Windows 10 at that time. I open to any suggestions how to even get Windows to try and install it!

BTW: (1) the suggest compatibility mode comes back as Windows 8, but when I tell it to test, nothing ever happens. And I mean exactly that: nothing. As if I never selected the "Test" button at all, but I do see it "depress." (2) I have a newer edition (v6), but if memory serves me it wasn't compatible with the older files which is why I still need the older one to install and run.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-04-06T00:53:56+00:00

    "The last time I used it was in 2007 (I think) and I'm reasonably certain I had it running under Windows 10 at that time."

    • Typo ? Win10 was released in 2015.

    However, there have been many changes to Win10 since the initial release, and some programs that may have been 

    compatible with earlier version\feature updates may no longer be compatible with the last few Win10 versions.

    Particularly if the program in question has any unplugged security holes, such as the now defunct Adobe Flash Player

    (Win10 is somewhat over the top on security).

    "but if memory serves me it wasn't compatible with the older files which is why I still need the older one to install and run."

    • I would be inclined to install the current version to refresh my memory. You may also want to try contacting the developers

    of the program to see if you can change anything on the older files to allow them to be read by the new version.

    • Window Compatibility Troubleshooter has never been much good, and if it's come back with a suggestion to use Compatibility with Win8,

    that's proof positive how useless it is. If any Compatibility option were going to work with software of this vintage it would be

    XP sp2 or Vista.

    I assume you are trying to use Compatibility with the installer (Setup.exe or other file name used for the installer) on the programs disc.

    If this does not work it is possible the installer is 16bit, which is not compatible with any 64bit Windows, but if the program is

    recent enough to be compatible with Vista this is unlikely.

    If the program uses a copy protection system (SecuROM, SafeDisk, etc ), other than a simple disc chec, the DRM may not be compatible

     with 64bit Windows. I don't know if the same applies to productivity software, but a number of games released in the mid-2000's

    have this problem with DRM.

    However, with this issue the game will install, but not launch.

    • Last trick... If you have access to another machine with Win7 try installing the program on that machine. Then copy all of the files

    to a USB stick and on to your Win10 machine, and you may find the program will run.

    .

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-04-07T02:58:24+00:00

    BossDweeb, believe it or not, your comments helped put me on the right path! Although the program wouldn't install on a 32-bit running Windows, I was able to get it to run by remembering how the old apps usually worked.

    In a nutshell, I ran the executable for the program itself. Each time it came up complaining about missing files, I copied those specific files from the install to the directory I had created for the program. I had to do this repeatedly until all the needed files were found but it works and I'm tickled pink!

    So, thank you, thank you, thank you!

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-04-07T04:24:04+00:00

    "Each time it came up complaining about missing files, I copied those specific files from the install to the directory I had created for the program.

    I had to do this repeatedly until all the needed files were found but it works and I'm tickled pink!"

    • Great work !   Image

    It's always nice to hear from people who were able to apply comments or suggestions to their own circumstance and

    come up with a solution of their own. 

    Cheers - BD

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-04-06T21:43:02+00:00

    Clearly, I'm getting old! I guessed at last time I used it based on the last time the data file was modifed. However, that was clearly the wrong year as I distinctly recall installing it on an old laptop we no longer have and it had one of the earliest versions of Windows 10.

    Developer was Broderbund and they no longer even list the application. It appears they sold it to a UK company which is selling it for a great deal of money. I doubt very much they would be likely to assist me.

    However, you made an interesting point I had completely forgotten about (hence my age is showing): 16 bit installer. You are correct, my desktop is 64 bit. But I think my laptop is 32 bit. Do you think it might work on that machine? I vaguely recall there was something that had to be done to enable 16 bit programs to run on a Windows 10 machine with 32 bits. If so, can you point me in the right direction?

    Thank you for taking the time to help me.

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