Disc 3 of CreataCard Platinum is broken and I cannot reinstall since my Vista had to be reset. It is still on my old XP but I don't know how to transfer it.

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.)

In Vista, start the "Windows Program Compatibility Wizard".

Choose to install a "Windows XP" program, namely the Broderbund software. Vista will wrap a "cocoon" around the application, to fool the application into thinking that it is running under Windows XP, not Vista.

Start the "Windows Compatibility Wizard".
Select that you want to install a "Windows XP Application".
Point to the CD-ROM containing the software.
Install it by selecting the 'setup.exe' file.

Use the add/remove programs if you have XP, it's located in control Panel or Program Features function in Vista.

If this is a new install from a new purchase, always give the manufacturer a call because they should know what it is compatable with and walk you thru most common problems.

if there are they will be on their website, but i'm going to say you've probably made that software useless and will have to buy a new program

Vista has been a problem since it was introduced. Essentially Microsoft released it without ensureing driver were available for existing software and hardware. Some manufacturers have been making efforts to get Vista compatible Drivers available. Check the software websites for updated drivers.

CreataCard Platinum 6 is designed to be used with Windows 95/98/2000/Me or NT 4 and XP, therefore in order to run it in Vista I'd suggest to run your program using Compatinity Mode --> Go to your Desktop --> Right click on the program icon--> Properties-->Compatibility--> select one of the versions above

Hello,
It looks as though American Greetings has discontinued CreataCard which means they shut down the online content. There is no solution as American Greetings no longer supports the product.

The program is not compatible with Windows Vista.

Sorry for the bad news. Your English is just fine!
-WN

I just installed Hallmark Comedy Card Studio by Sierra on my Vista 64-bit machine. It works with all the saved files from Creata Card. If the Calendar and Address Book data file is fmnot32.dat, rename it to planr32.dat and then the Event Calendar will work as well.