HELP, can't install XP program on Vista

[crustydragon]

Vista is nothing but trouble!

I've been trying to install something that worked perfectly fine in XP on my new computer running Vista. So far it has given me nothing but huge headaches!

During the installation process it would say that it couldn't open some xxx.dll file and it would abort. I searched on the web and figured out that a work around is to rename the particular .dll file it wants to overwrite and rename it back afterwards. The only trouble is that I can't rename the bloody files because Vista wouldn't let me (I have admin privilege) and I couldn't even change the permission on the files so that I can rename them.

Does anyone have insight into this problem? It's so frustrating when I know what I need to do but I can't do it because stupid Vista won't let me. This supposedly new and improved security system doesn't impress me at all!

Thanks!

[Tijuana]

Go back to xp, if you get this frustrated with a single program, imagine what will happen with hundreds :razz: There is nothing that vista offers that xp doesnt have, so why bother?

[goofball]

would help to know what program this is.

[canadiancynosure]

Go back to xp, if you get this frustrated with a single program, imagine what will happen with hundreds :razz: There is nothing that vista offers that xp doesnt have, so why bother?

+1 Agreed. Vista is more flash for cash then anything

[canadiancynosure]

Vista is nothing but trouble!

I've been trying to install something that worked perfectly fine in XP on my new computer running Vista. So far it has given me nothing but huge headaches!

During the installation process it would say that it couldn't open some xxx.dll file and it would abort. I searched on the web and figured out that a work around is to rename the particular .dll file it wants to overwrite and rename it back afterwards. The only trouble is that I can't rename the bloody files because Vista wouldn't let me (I have admin privilege) and I couldn't even change the permission on the files so that I can rename them.

Does anyone have insight into this problem? It's so frustrating when I know what I need to do but I can't do it because stupid Vista won't let me. This supposedly new and improved security system doesn't impress me at all!

Thanks!


What is it you;re trying to install. Alot of XP programs are not compatible with Vista.

[Ojam]

what's the program and what type of media is it being installed from.

[Desolatax]

Try running it in compatibility mode, I've actually got that to make some programs work in vista that didn't on my first try.

[board123]

During the installation process it would say that it couldn't open some xxx.dll file and it would abort. I searched on the web and figured out that a work around is to rename the particular .dll file it wants to overwrite and rename it back afterwards. The only trouble is that I can't rename the bloody files because Vista wouldn't let me (I have admin privilege) and I couldn't even change the permission on the files so that I can rename them.
You need to take ownership of the file first.

Right Click -> Property -> Security -> Advanced -> Owner -> Edit

This is not a problem with Vista. It's a built-in security mechanism to prevent you from messing with files you're not supposed to be messing with. For example, pretty much all System32 files are like this. For someone who doesn't know about file ownership, this protects the system from the user. After all, you can't mess up the OS if you don't know how to mess it up.


This supposedly new and improved security system doesn't impress me at all!

It should impress you. It managed to stop you, after all. Quit blaming Vista for your troubles. Your ignorance is baffling.

[JLee]

Ignorance is bliss, though.

Why not let the masses be happy in their own filth?

[st7860]

+1 Agreed. Vista is more flash for cash then anything

+2

[crustydragon]

Well, after much trial and error I did figure out that I needed to take ownership of the files that this particular program wanted to change in system32 directory. This is a program written in the early 2000's that has a collection of x-ray images I need for work. Perhaps I should work within the realm of UAC because after much trouble of giving myself full privilege to change the files, Vista wouldn't restart properly and it had to undo the changes I made.

So now I am back in square one. I need to run this program on my laptop but Vista won't let me. They don't make the program anymore so there is no planned update. After much search on the internet the only other potential solution is to install Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 and run XP within Vista. The only trouble is that I don't have a straight XP install disk - the one I have is a recovery DVD that came with my old Toshiba laptop. Does anyone know if it could work or I am totally screwed?

Thanks

ps selecting compatibility with XP in properties doesn't work for me