Junie,

I'm wondering if you've tried the following: installed the .exe or CD contents (from earlier software that's not installing correctly as is) direct onto the desktop in a folder (easy to remove the contents later), and with the start or run file, used for installation:

Right click on your mouse and scroll to Properties. In the Compatibility menu, check "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and then choose which platform, you'd like Vista to mimic for the program application.

This is something that concerned me, prior to getting my new machine; I have noticed that Vista has the same option to change the mode as does XP (which is what I had some installation probs. with until I selected the mode).

If it's MS programs that won't install right, it could be due to the licensing and registration having been done on a different computer; MS has inherent deterrents to installing some of its apps. without jumping through a litany of hoops .

With the MS programs on the Vista 'puter, I'm using those rather than relying on older versions and will "buy" after the 60-day trials lapse.

I anticipate having the new PC card tonight; I know that I've some (non MS) programs which wouldn't install without first changing the Compatibility mode. To install them, I'm going to go through the steps I decribed (above).