How Well Will XP Programs Install on Vista

[GraemeM]

Hey, I have another question. This time it's about Vista. How well do you think Windows XP programs will install on Vista?

I'm formatting my computer soon regardless, and have Vista beta and was wondering if it would be reasonable to install Vista and use it as my main OS (in which case a lot of stuff would have to install correctly)? If not, I'll just install Xp and dual boot with Vista just to play around with it.

Thanks again,
Graeme

[glc]

No, it is never reasonable to use a beta OS as your main OS in my opinion. Beta means it is for TESTING, not PRODUCTION.

[kev7555]

Yeah, GLC is right on the mark. I've been playing with the Visrta Beta II on a new build for a few weeks now and it is what it says it is, a BETA version. Play with it, get to know it, but don't trust it.

Not real impressed yet...


-Kev

[GraemeM]

Originally Posted by glc No, it is never reasonable to use a beta OS as your main OS in my opinion. Beta means it is for TESTING, not PRODUCTION.

well I'm using the beta 2007 as my main Office and that seems to work fine.

I realize it might not be stable and have a few security risks, but I'm just wondering if programs will work alright. I'm also wondering about program compatibility for the future (I remember moving from 98 to XP, some programs seemed to work and others didn't; I'm just wondering how well Microsoft designed Vista to support XP programs)

[mairving]

Originally Posted by GraemeM well I'm using the beta 2007 as my main Office and that seems to work fine.

The difference is that Office 2007 is not an OS. It is an Office Suite.

[doctorgonzo]

No, not all programs will work on Vista. I've tested it out a bit and found this. There is no way I would use it as my primary OS. Beta programs have bugs, many bugs that haven't been discovered yet. Do you want to be the proud finder of the bug that hoses your hard drive and all your data?

[GraemeM]

well id make sure to back everything up

But if you've found that not all programs work I'll need XP anyways, so I'll just install Vista for testing as you suggest.

[MaxRat]

The best thing would be to dual boot... or put Vista on a spare rig...

I have it installed on the wife rig as the main OS and for the most part it works fine...but it's been needing a fresh re-install because it does booger up easy...I wouldnt use it for mission critical material...Heck i boogered it real bad trying to re-install MS-VM...

For internet I would say..use it...but for serious stuff...stay with XP...

[GraemeM]

alright I'll make it dual boot (or well triple boot since I want Linux as well).

And if I had a spare rig it certainly wouldn't be capable of running Vista. That woudl be a nice spare computer though.