Windows 7 Compatibility problems

[Gazanator101]

Windows 7 has been in the market now for a quarter of a year and it has already received a really positive acclaim by many computer users like me. It is the best Windows operating system so far, due to more user-friendliness and less memory usage and all-round making tasks simplier, and that's what we like. However, I have found one thing I do hate about it and that is compatibility problems with some software and a few games - old games really.

For example, I tried to download the latest version of Dragon Naturally Speaking (DNS) which I might have needed for my coursework, but trying to install it drove me up the wall. It's funny, I've read it is compatible with Windows 7 and 64-bit systems, but to install it, you need to install Visual C++ Runtime which apparently is not supported by 64-bit OSs. I googled this problem and tried to look for a Windows 7 alternative of this Runtime and nothing worked. This is the most awkward situation I have had with any software and so I gave up in the end, because I cannot find the right answer that is actually right i.e. DON'T ever go on Yahoo Answers!

In terms of games, Windows 7 does have a few problems with really old PC games like Fallout, Fallout 2, Diablo, etc. They work, but you get that annoying 'rainbowy' colour corruption problem. I easily found the solution to these problems, and so I am starting this unofficial thread where we can help each other out on any software problems we might be having on Microsoft's 'best' operating system, whether it is software we need for personal or educational purposes or PC games we just want to play without hassle.

[SaiyanFury]

Gaz, if you're looking to run Visual C++ Runtime in 64-bit, look to the link I'll provide you. It supports the 64-bit kernal that is native to Vista and Windows 7 64-bit natively. I hope this helps you.

MS Visual C++ Runtime 64-bit

[Gazanator101]

Originally Posted by SaiyanFury

Gaz, if you're looking to run Visual C++ Runtime in 64-bit, look to the link I'll provide you. It supports the 64-bit kernal that is native to Vista and Windows 7 64-bit natively. I hope this helps you.
Download details: Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package (x64)

It's no use dude, nothing seems to work. I downloaded it like you said and now I have Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 and 2008 on my laptop and during the DNS installation process, it STILL tells me I need to install Visual C++ Runtime 8.0, but I can't because it's not supported on 64 bit systems and modern versions of it doesn't seem to be doing it justice.

I need to install Dragon Naturally Speaking and I'm starting to believe it is self-aware and just doesn't want to install itself onto my hard disk. I have never had this much trouble with any software and Nuance (the company behind DNS) aren't much of a great help. I am 'googling' through pages looking for an answer and this has become a common problem for Vista 64-bit and Windows 7 64-bit users and it seems nothing has worked for anybody.

[Gazanator101]

What do I do? Help me SaiyanFury, you are my only hope.

And if words aren't enough help, I can make a short video showing my problem and it might be easier for you to work out what the problem is, etc.

[SaiyanFury]

Originally Posted by Gazanator101

What do I do? Help me SaiyanFury, you are my only hope.

And if words aren't enough help, I can make a short video showing my problem and it might be easier for you to work out what the problem is, etc.

Nice Star Wars quote, and I'll reply as I will do what I can. I'm downloading the software you can't seem to install and I'll do my own diagnostic of the problem and will try to address it accordingly. Visual Runtime 8 IS the 2005 version, so I'll clue you into my findings when I try to install it.

[Gazanator101]

Originally Posted by SaiyanFury

Nice Star Wars quote, and I'll reply as I will do what I can. I'm downloading the software you can't seem to install and I'll do my own diagnostic of the problem and will try to address it accordingly. Visual Runtime 8 IS the 2005 version, so I'll clue you into my findings when I try to install it.

Ok, thanks dude.

[SaiyanFury]

Originally Posted by Gazanator101

Ok, thanks dude.

Alrighty man, I tried to install it on my computer and I encountered the same problem. There's a few things I assume to be wrong.

1. It's not workable on the RC version of Windows 7 due to some unofficial release issue, meaning this isn't the final version of Windows 7 so it's missing some feature of the full release version.

2. Dragon doesn't *actually* support the 64-bit version. I've seen this happen before with other software that says it'll run on a certain OS in 64-bit, but when it comes down to it, it's impossible to get it running.

If you want my opinion, this software just isn't compatible with a 64-bit OS. It really doesn't surprise me, the host of people out there are still using 32-bit OS's and are stuck back in the stone age of computing. Sorry I couldn't do more for you man, I sympathize with you about something not working on your PC there. Perhaps take a bit of solace in it's not Microsoft's fault for making a lousy OS in Windows 7, it's something that Nuance needs to address. The only thing I can think of is email or phone Nuance (I know you said they're no good for things like that) and see if they can provide *some* hint at personal salvation. Barring that, I'd have to say you're S-O-L man. Sorry, but that's just the way it is sometimes when it comes to this kinda thing. Kinda surprising though. Dragon Dictate is something that's been around for a long time. My Dad used to use it back in the early 2000s for his lawyer practise. Good luck man, if there's something else I can do for you to help you out, please let me know.

[Gazanator101]

Originally Posted by SaiyanFury

Alrighty man, I tried to install it on my computer and I encountered the same problem. There's a few things I assume to be wrong.

1. It's not workable on the RC version of Windows 7 due to some unofficial release issue, meaning this isn't the final version of Windows 7 so it's missing some feature of the full release version.

2. Dragon doesn't *actually* support the 64-bit version. I've seen this happen before with other software that says it'll run on a certain OS in 64-bit, but when it comes down to it, it's impossible to get it running.

If you want my opinion, this software just isn't compatible with a 64-bit OS. It really doesn't surprise me, the host of people out there are still using 32-bit OS's and are stuck back in the stone age of computing. Sorry I couldn't do more for you man, I sympathize with you about something not working on your PC there. Perhaps take a bit of solace in it's not Microsoft's fault for making a lousy OS in Windows 7, it's something that Nuance needs to address. The only thing I can think of is email or phone Nuance (I know you said they're no good for things like that) and see if they can provide *some* hint at personal salvation. Barring that, I'd have to say you're S-O-L man. Sorry, but that's just the way it is sometimes when it comes to this kinda thing. Kinda surprising though. Dragon Dictate is something that's been around for a long time. My Dad used to use it back in the early 2000s for his lawyer practise. Good luck man, if there's something else I can do for you to help you out, please let me know.

That's Ok dude, I appreciate the effort you have gone into in order to resolve my situation and it now looks like I've got to find a good alternative. All I need is a good speech recognition/transcribing software and DNS was the only one I knew of. I need to install software that will allow me to transcribe voice into text and of course, being fully-functional with Windows 7 and 64-bit systems. I am going to google for one, but if you know of any good software like this, let me know, thanks dude.

[GRX Dragon]

I thought a 64b OS is able to run a 32b program in 32b compatibility mode... >,>? (Just not a 16b program in 16b mode.)

[SaiyanFury]

Originally Posted by GRX Dragon

I thought a 64b OS is able to run a 32b program in 32b compatibility mode... >,>? (Just not a 16b program in 16b mode.)

GRX, he's talking about running Dragon Dictate in Windows 7 64-bit natively. In order to run a program in 32-bit mode, you need to run Windows 7 in XP Virtualization mode, in which that situation might work. Windows 7 natively supports x86 (32-bit) applications, as I have many of them running, but some things are just not compatible with a native x64 (64-bit) OS. Dragon seems to be one of these. This is the reason I run a dual boot Windows 7/Windows XP computer so I can have the full range of functionality.