If you have you already tried the Vista compatability tool, then you're at the mercy of the people who designed your software. The ones I have to use prefer to sell a new-improved Vista-ready package than provide a fix. Lotsa $$$$$
I have to laugh at the Mac commercial that points out that Vista users are swarming back to XP. I'm pretty much at that point myself. The home version seems to have been tested only with Microsoft software.
Microsoft designed backwards compatability into every other product. Did Bill Gates really believe he would run out of money if he did that with Vista, too?
There is another thread here if you want to hear other people's Vista experiences.