CreataCard Platinum 8 was written for XP and older versions of Windows. Changes in the OS make it difficult/impossible to install.
Do you have the 32-bit or the 64-bit version of Win7Pro? Click Start > Control Panel > System and Security > System. If the title reads Windows 7 Professional x64, it's the 64-bit version. (If it doesn't end with the x64, you have the 32-bit version.)
In any case, the best option is to try running an older version of Windows on another machine, a dual boot system or a virtual computer. With the Pro version of Win7, you can run a virtual XP for free (if your hardware can support it). Download and install Virtual PC and the XP mode package from Microsoft. (You'll need to set aside some memory for the virtual PC to run.) Then install CreataCard when running XP mode as if this is your only computer.
The only real problem is that you will not be able to have hardware installed on the virtual XP and the Windows 7 real machine at the same time. (So you can't share a printer.) Also, to share files between the two "systems", you will need to save them to external media (flash drive or optical disc, for example). Your motherboard and CPU need to support Virtualization. You have to turn this on in your BIOS on some systems. (Press Esc, F1, F2 or F10 repeatedly depending on your system right after turning on the system. If you miss the timing, shut down the computer and then retry.)
Other virtualization programs are Parallels and VMWare. However, with those programs and the other possible options for running CreataCard, you need a licensed version of the older version of Windows.
If you have the 32-bit version of Windows, you can try the Compatibility Mode. (Right click on the installer and choose Properties. Then click on the Compatibility tab and select Run the program as compatible with an older version of Windows. Apply the changes and click OK. Then right click on the installer again and choose Run As Administrator.) You may have to repeat this on the program icon after installing. However, the compatibility mode doesn't always work even if you have the 32-bit OS (and thus don't need the signed driver).
An alternative is to upgrade your software to one that is Win7 compatible. I'm not sure which of these Broderbund design and print products are most similar to CreataCard: http://www.broderbund.com/c-6-design-print.aspx . However, you will probably not be able to open old documents.
I hope this helps.
Cindy Wells
(XP mode is available with Win7Pro and Ultimate. At my house, we have two computers with Win7Pro with one running XP mode. At least once, the virtualization was turned off during a BIOS update and XP mode failed until the setting was corrected.)
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