vhg seems to have a bit of a bee over vista.
think back to XP's launch .... and there is no difference (except then it was 8 & 16 bit hardware as well as proggys)
the first thing to try with "ordinary" proggys is compatibility mode
(actually the first thing should have been compatibility advisor ... if only .... ppl could save themselves tons of grief)
second is to look for upgrades.
if you are still stuck .....
third is to use virtual PC (
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.asp x?********=04D26402-3199-48A3-AFA2-2DC0B40A73B 6&displaylang=en)
to run your old copy of XP and anything that won't work should be OK there (except games)
System tools (virus firewall etc WON't work ... check for vista versions before you even try
media proggys (esp those that rely on add on codecs) may well struggle
avg free is fine ... so if your's wont - their's will.
in another 6 months MS will leak more details of what comes next .... and the (by then) old vista brigade will start grumbling that things ain't what they used to be!
this of all areas is supposed to be about cutting edge technology ... the safe brigade should stay in the cellar if they can't keep up ....