so a lot of what I'd saved on XP is now not accessible through Windows 7
Hi Mogsmum
What are you having trouble with? I moved from XP to Windows 7 and can't think of any specific accessibility problems
We might be able to save you a lot of time & hassle 
Linda
My main problem is
MS Publisher. It's the program I use almost exclusively purely because I don't find Word sufficiently flexible (apart from entering raw text) for my requirements. Now, granted I do have quite an old version of
Publisher (part of the Office 2000) and yes, I could buy an updated copy, but at £89.95 - the cheapest I've so far seen it - that's money I'd rather spend on my research, it is after all, half-way to my next years Ancestry subscription.
When I bought the new computer, I did take it and all my original program CDs to 'a man' who transferred all my data across, but refused to even try putting Office 2000 on the new machine because, according to him
"... there's no point trying because it won't work". Well, nothing ventured so I thought I'd have a go myself and although I
did have to use the compatibility wizard I
have managed to get it to work or at least 98% of it (there are a few little things it gets het-up about, but I can live with those).
The main problem is that having, in effect, 'forced' Windows 7 to accept such an old version there are some Publisher files which it steadfastly refuses to open, no matter what I try. I do have some access to the 'old' XP computer (my daughter has it and provided she remembers to bring it when she visits, so I can still get to the files) but I would like to be able just to open things on the new machine without having to sit and watch the little circle spinning endlessly with no result and then having to make a note of which file it won't open and hoping I can find that bit of paper when my daughter comes.
If you can throw any light on how to get round this, I'd be so grateful.