Computer question

[RationalThought110]

Can a software be installed if it was made for an older version of windows than what the computer is? 

[RationalThought110]

Anyone know?

[RationalThought110]

Would you recommend that I try installing it?  I think the software is a version from before 2000. 

  I found the CD-Rom recently of an old version of the software.  I didn't realize that the software didn't come with the computer and it's been a while since I needed to use it so I didn't realize that I would need it. 

[RationalThought110]

You can try. What is the software of?

Microsoft Excel

[Joe Gutfeld]

It might. Depends on the software.  I know I had a photo scanner and I got a new computer last January and it didn't accept the operating software.

[Kiwi]

If your OS is XP or higher but not vista, then Mircosoft with send you a patch code, it the prohram is legal. Be warned it you run an illegal program Mircosoft will pick it up and send codes to disable you OS. Then your hard disc will crash.

If its correct with the right key codes you will not have a problem. But trying anything before 2000 is iffy because MS no longer provides support for that and many virus and worms attach to lower out moded systems and programs.

Run an AV through it first before installing anything on the drive.

[RationalThought110]

If your OS is XP or higher but not vista, then Mircosoft with send you a patch code, it the prohram is legal. Be warned it you run an illegal program Mircosoft will pick it up and send codes to disable you OS. Then your hard disc will crash.

If its correct with the right key codes you will not have a problem. But trying anything before 2000 is iffy because MS no longer provides support for that and many virus and worms attach to lower out moded systems and programs.

Run an AV through it first before installing anything on the drive.

How do you determine whether or not the software is legal?

[Kiwi]

If your OS is XP or higher but not vista, then Mircosoft with send you a patch code, it the program is legal. Be warned it you run an illegal program Mircosoft will pick it up and send codes to disable you OS. Then your hard disc will crash.

If its correct with the right key codes you will not have a problem. But trying anything before 2000 is iffy because MS no longer provides support for that and many virus and worms attach to lower out modded systems and programs.

Run an AV through it first before installing anything on the drive.

How do you determine whether or not the software is legal?

First of all I am guessing you have an illegal copy. What you are looking for is the Official Microsoft icon on the disc the box and any paper work you have with it. Legal copies are what is brought from a store.
Burnt from another disc, downloaded from someone Else's computer, or even brought from a computer swap meet are illegal copies and breach of copy right to Microsoft.

They generally only come with a code program not the correct code. And Company copies are also not legal due to you are not the licenced holder.

If you have downloaded it off the net via the Microsoft site you are fine.

There are freeware programs available off the net google freeware you will find a program to suit.

[EagleEye]

It depends on what software and what versions of windows it was made for, but usually older windows programs work on XP.  It is DOS programs that don't work.

Older software can usually be emulated if it doesn't automatically work.

[RationalThought110]

If your OS is XP or higher but not vista, then Mircosoft with send you a patch code, it the program is legal. Be warned it you run an illegal program Mircosoft will pick it up and send codes to disable you OS. Then your hard disc will crash.

If its correct with the right key codes you will not have a problem. But trying anything before 2000 is iffy because MS no longer provides support for that and many virus and worms attach to lower out modded systems and programs.

Run an AV through it first before installing anything on the drive.

How do you determine whether or not the software is legal?

First of all I am guessing you have an illegal copy. What you are looking for is the Official Microsoft icon on the disc the box and any paper work you have with it. Legal copies are what is brought from a store.
Burnt from another disc, downloaded from someone Else's computer, or even brought from a computer swap meet are illegal copies and breach of copy right to Microsoft.

They generally only come with a code program not the correct code. And Company copies are also not legal due to you are not the licenced holder.

If you have downloaded it off the net via the Microsoft site you are fine.

There are freeware programs available off the net google freeware you will find a program to suit.

Once a CD-Rom is installed on a computer, it can't be installed on any other computer?  I think the software was installed many years ago on an old computer. 


I'm not sure what you mean by downloading it off the net via the Microsoft site.  If they allowed people to do that for free, then people probably wouldn't purchase it.


What do you mean by freeware?

[Ehud]

Rationalthought.  Please do yourself a favor and download OPENOFFICE, just google it, it's a freeware piece of software that you can download for free and it's basically exactly the same as Office. 

If the software is on a CD, chances are it was made for Win 95 at least, and it will probably work with your current operating system.

If you have problems and can't install a verion of Windows Office or equivalent, let me know and I'll even mail you one!

[Kiwi]

Once a CD-Rom is installed on a computer, it can't be installed on any other computer?  I think the software was installed many years ago on an old computer. 


I'm not sure what you mean by downloading it off the net via the Microsoft site.  If they allowed people to do that for free, then people probably wouldn't purchase it.


What do you mean by freeware?

Ok the CD can be used on any computer that the licenced holder uses. But you can't install it on multiable computers. Have you got the Key Code? the disc is useless without it.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/Search.aspx?displaylang=en <--download centre for Mircosoft

http://www.freewarehome.com/ <--- freeware site.

Free ware is program that people develop to share on the net free of charge. Generally IT people that are developing and learning codes create programs and think its cool to share them. Which it is. This site I have linked you too is a clean site.

There shareware this is where you pay a small amount to use the problem and download it.

And there is where you pay full price for a product.

And I reckon I most be one of the few people in this world that does that. 

Anyway look at the sites they should answer your questions.

[Kiwi]

Just had a thought how many RAM is your computer, working on an old system you might not have the ability to use it, maybe install it on a flash drive after you have it, so you can free up the hard disc.

[q_q_]

Install the software and see what happens.

Office 95 will work on Windows 9X or NT i.e. windows 95,98, or XP or vista.   (XP and Vista are NT)

So will Office 97, so will Office 2000.

Office 2003 - Try it and see. 
I have heard that it requires win xp sp2 (that is windows xp service pack 2).

If it does install it may run slow. As I said, try and install it, and then you will know.