Question for you computer gurus

[blackford76]

I need to get rid of windows 7, and replace it with XP. Our "on-line" computer has vista, which is ok, I need to convert my gaming computer to XP to run the game I want.
Thanks in advance.

[BadShot]

Have you tried running the game in a compatibility mode for XP? Win7 has a much better management of the compatibility emulation that previous versions of Winblows.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Make-older-programs-run-in-this-version-of-Windows

[KevDen2005]

You lost me after "Windows"

[blackford76]

Have you tried running the game in a compatibility mode for XP? Win7 has a much better management of the compatibility emulation that previous versions of Winblows.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Make-older-programs-run-in-this-version-of-Windows

Even with the downloaded patches the computer locks up after the title page. The game is older than 7, as far as I can tell I am not the only one having this problem.
Thanks for the reply.

[Hoosier]

I'd strongly advice against ditching Windows 7 in favor of Windows XP. Try running it in the various compatibility modes as outlined above.

Windows XP is nearing End Of Life, when Microsoft will stop releasing security patches for it. Windows7 is a vast improvement over Vista.

Out of curiosity, what game are you trying to play that requires XP?

H.

[Hoosier]

Even with the downloaded patches the computer locks up after the title page. The game is older than 7, as far as I can tell I am not the only one having this problem.
Thanks for the reply.

Have you tried each of the compatibility modes? You can select the operating system that Win7 should emulate. Start with XP emulation.

H.

[blackford76]

Fallout 3 GOTY edition. Plays on my vista computer, but just barely. The computer with 7 only needs a video card upgrade, which also means it needs a new power supply, the game loads into the 7 computer, but the expansion packs don't, and it locks up the whole thing when you hit 'play'. If I can get it to play the game well, I simply don't care if it does anything else.

[blackford76]

At the moment, my tower is at my friend's house, he is going to upgrade the video card etc. He is my resident computer expert. If I can use a BFH, a shotgun, or explosives I can work on computers, he said that MIGHT not work in this case. [Tooth] He has run into the same loading problem as I have, and thinks switching to vista or xl may be the solution. I know that xl is the only way to access the "mods console", using "`" key, this isn't supported by vista, or 7. I am switching to the pc version of Fallout 3 so I can download new apps that aren't available for my PS3. So, if I can't add the downloads, I don't need the PC version.

[DocMedic]

Fallout 3 GOTY edition. Plays on my vista computer, but just barely. The computer with 7 only needs a video card upgrade, which also means it needs a new power supply, the game loads into the 7 computer, but the expansion packs don't, and it locks up the whole thing when you hit 'play'. If I can get it to play the game well, I simply don't care if it does anything else.

Has this computer had any other operation system in it prior to Windows 7 or did the computer come with windows 7? If you had say Windows XP before and was playing the game then upgraded to Windows 7. You'll need to to do a full uninstall and reinstall. But if the computer came with 7 and you can't play the game, it sounds more like your chipset won't support the game, which videocard did you end up buying for the upgrade.

[blackford76]

This computer came with 7. I am not sure which card Keith is putting in it, but it now needs a 400 watt power source, so that needs to be upgraded too. Should be an ultimate game pc when it is done. Will only need to be able to go on-line to down load new apps.

[palepainter]

I hope I am not jacking this thread but I am in a very similar situation with the computer I am using for my web cams that I use for educational seminars. I have a maching with XP, but want to load 7 or Vista 64. I am worried about driver compatability for some of the hardware of the machine. It is a kick ass graphics machine with mega loads of ram and video card, dual processor.

I do not mind if I have to reformat the harddrive and wipe everything out. Any advice or input appreciated.

[Elhuero]

If you have win7, don't downgrade to XP just for a game. and for the love of all that's good avoid vista like the plague.

Make sure your video drivers are updated.

[blackford76]

My old computer had XP, I LOVED it, my wife's computer (the one I'm using right now) has Vista, not as good for me as XP. My new computer has window 7, and it sucks balls, that is why it is being turned into the game computer. I am not an IT guy, I am an anti-techie. I prefer points to electronic ignition, carbs to EFI, if I cared, I'd learn. I can surf this site, and the couple others I like just fine with Vista, or XP. Every time I use 7 I want to smash it with a very large hammer.

[blackford76]

Last week I tried to upload a new thread here, offering an AK to who ever could make my computer play the damn game. That post is floating around out there somewhere in windows 7 wasteland. I am currently working with a friend of mine to get it up and running, and he suggested that we try XP, as 7 wont play the game, it loads it, it allows me to set play preferences, but locks everything up as soon as the 'play' tile is touched.

[Irving]

Going from XP to Vista is like going from 8th grade math class to having your teeth smashed out with a hammer.

[Elhuero]

it's a video problem, flash the bios on your video card.

[blackford76]

I agree with you that it is a video problem. It is getting a new video card, and IF everything works from there, 7 can stay, if not..lobotomy.
This has been more than a week in the works, apparently other than a crappy video card, my new computer kicks butt. 7 may be a better system, but I know XP, and can stumble around Vista, I don't care to learn 7, it pisses me off.

[blackford76]

And a big THANK YOU to all who are trying to help.[Beer]

[BadShot]

Well, speaking as a 16 year professional computer geek, Win7 is very capable of running pert-well any application I've run across in the last nearly 13 months of running it. I've seen some poorly coded game mods that have issues with video drivers, but Win7 lets you get around that if you're actually interested in really using that nice new "gaming" computer. Down-grading to XP will not get you anything that Win7 can't do. Matter of fact you'll basically have wasted money by buying a system that does have the recommend specs for Win7.

Then again, it's your system and your money. If it's a Dell system, drop me a PM and we'll work out something for a Dell XP OEM disk. If you find that you're buddy can't fix it and want to take me up on the remote assistance offer (that's a remote access tool that will allow me to get into your machine while you watch and I'll poke and see what I can find), let me know that as well.

As for the Power Supply, the cost difference between a 400w and a 550-650 is absolutely minimal and would be a worthy investment. If you're already hitting the power wall now, you'll just hit it again if you go to add any other accessories or USB powered devices. Might as well buy once and I generally have found that NewEgg has the better selection and pricing, not to mention a pretty sound customer review component.

So of the advice here is kinda at odds with reality. I'm not certain where some of it really comes from but, remember that computers are logical systems. They should be approached with process and reasoning. They don't do anything someone, somehow didn't tell them to do. Some times that means system conflicts ect. But like many such tasks, start with the low hanging fruit... Drivers are always a good place to start and no, the latest drivers are not always the best. Personally I don't update a video or system driver unless I've run into something that requires it. BIOS flashing is generally a fairly routine process these days, but it is always smart to have a way/plan to restore said BIOS to the previous working version.

Win7 has a great system restore functionality, configure it before you start making a ton of changes and use it when making major system/software/driver changes (note it will not be of any benefit for BIOS modifications)

If at all possible, keep copies of known good drivers on a USB key or on a tools DVD/CD. Keep those some place easy to get to.

Again, for this game, I'm willing to bet that either the compatibility wizard or using the link I gave you for emulation modes will solve your problem. Though I will say that you are the first person I have ever encountered that actually likes Vista better than Win7. You do know that you can return the Win7 interface to match the XP one right?

Also here's another virtualization option for your game:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

That works like a Frakking Champ.. we're coming up on about 15-20 applications that predate Windows 98 that we've had to use that tool set with.

This will be the last time I get on the soap box about Win7 in this thread. Hopefully there's enough information in here (thread) to help you out, if not, enjoy the 8 year old OS.

[blackford76]

I don't know exactly which bit of advice did it, so I'll thank you all. Thanks! It is running now.[Beer]

[Byte Stryke]

Classic Cars +

Classic Guns +

Classic Movies +

Classic Operating Systems :(

Don't do it.
If you cant get Badshot's solution to work there are still more options.
Going to XP From 7 is just a Bad Idea like cutting off your nose to get rid of a pimple.

[blackford76]

As for the Power Supply, the cost difference between a 400w and a 550-650 is absolutely minimal and would be a worthy investment. If you're already hitting the power wall now, you'll just hit it again if you go to add any other accessories or USB powered devices. Might as well buy once and I generally have found that NewEgg has the better selection and pricing, not to mention a pretty sound customer review component.


Thanks for the advice, we went with a 750w.