trying to use old hard drive

[rightsaidfred]

I bought a new computer with Vista. In hopes of using my old programs/files, I plugged the old XP hard drive in behind the new hard drive. It is recognized and partitioned.

When I click on an application from the old hard drive, I get an error screen that says, "Windows does not know which program to run this under. Windows can go online and search for a program, or you can choose from a list". If I choose from the list, it comes back "unable to run using this program". If I let it go online and search, I get a page of websites that seem to be tools that scan the registry for problems. Any help, please.

[EzyStvy]

No can do what you're wanting to do...

The version of Windows where the app were installed must be up n running due to all the entries in the registry. You'll have to reinstall the apps on the new Vista machine.

[Statica]

Also make sure that your programs are compatible with Vista BEFORE you install them in Vista. The s/w mfgers website is probably the best resource, you may even get free updates to make older software Vista compatible but dont count on it.