Figure 71-2: The wizard’s list doesn’t seem to conform to any particular rules.
The wizard assembles a list of programs (see Figure 71-2). Otherwise, select the I Want to Choose from a List of Programs option. If you have trouble with one specific program, select the I Want to Locate the Program Manually option. The wizard wants to know whether it should scan your computer and create a list of programs, or if you have a specific CD or program that you want to use.ģ.
Figure 71-1: Windows XP’s Compatibility Wizard.The Program Compatibility Wizard appears, as shown in Figure 71-1. To run the compatibility wizard, follow these steps:ġ Choose Start All Programs Accessories Program Compatibility Wizard. Windows XP has a wizard that gathers the names of programs on your computer and lets you test out various compatibility mode settings with each. Running in compatibility mode doesn’t necessarily protect your PC.
Most programs that you download from the Internet also work with Windows XP, although some older programs (primarily games and commercial products that aren’t being sold anymore) may have problems.Ī compatibility mode is just a collection of smoke and mirrors that makes programs believe they’re running under an older version of Windows (or even DOS). If you try to run them, even in Windows XP’s special compatibility mode, you have a chance of breaking something.Įvery commercial program available on store shelves today works with Windows XP. On the other hand, most utilities - disk scanners, defragmenters, backup programs, antivirus products, firewalls, tune up packs, and the like - that aren’t already compatible with Windows XP have to be built from the ground up to become Windows XP-compliant. Windows XP has an amazingly high tolerance for the odd behavior of games, word processors, databases, all sorts of communication programs, accounting programs, weird printing utilities, timers, and the myriad of diverse programs that helped make the computer industry what it is today. Most application programs that worked in Windows 98, 98 Second Edition, Me, NT, or 2000 can work with Windows XP.
This technique shows you how to make your old programs work with Windows XP. They just keep eating into your productivity. Old games, like old accounting programs, never die. If you could get them to work - and you probably can’t - there’s a very good chance they’ll scramble your hard drive.Īh, but Commander Keen? Now there’s a trooper. In fact, they can be downright dangerous. Old system utilities don’t work with Windows XP. And that classic disc with Steve Gibson’s Scan Rite for Windows 95? Give it the heave-ho, too. If you have a trusted, old, dog-eared copy of Norton Anti-Virus for Windows 98, throw it away. Installing old programs when the installer doesn’t work
Scanning your system for old programs that might cause problems