visual basic 3.0 compatible with 64-bit version?

Hello,

Does anyone know whether programms developped in visual basic 3.0 (vbrun300.dll) can be run in Windows 7 version 64-bits?
I tried it in a 32-bits version and it works perfectly!
In a 64-bits version, it refuses to work, whatever I try in the compatibility modus.
Is there a solution to run it in a 64-bits version?
Tanx!

Welcome to the forums

I don't see why VB3 compilied applications wouldn't run in Windows 7 x64, do you have the error message that was given when you tried to run it?

Hello Ian,
The error message said: This programm is not compatible with this version of windows. Please contact your software dealer for a compatible version... or something like this.
I tried all possibilities in the compatibility mode, but nothing seemed to work.
In Windows 7 32-bits version, there was no problem at all to make the progamm work.

I maintain legacy 16-bit VB3 software that is compatible with Windows 7 and have done a lot of research in this area.

16-bit applications will not natively run in Windows 7 64-bit full stop. This is because when a 64-bit capable CPU is started in 64-bit mode, it cannot change into 'real mode' (the mode used by 16-bit applications) without a hard reset. If a processor is in 32-bit mode, it can swap between real mode and protected mode at will.

The only workaround here is a virtual machine- Windows 7 comes with a free version of Windows XP which is usable inside a custom version of Microsoft Virtual PC. Google for "Windows 7 Virtual XP Mode". Once your copy of Windows 7 has been validated as authentic, it will allow you to download Virtual PC and the XP Image.

It's definitely not a pretty solution, but the only option for my customers who have gone ahead and bought a 64-bit OS without checking to see if their installed software is 64-bit compatible.

Tanx for the solution!