Compatibility mode in XP. How good is it ?
Fiddling around with XP at work the other day when I came across an option in XP to install programs or run programs in compatibility mode (w95/98/2000 etc...)
Interested in anyone's XPriences with this as I have a lot of older programs which I'd like to keep using.
I'm going to go to XP anyway but would like to know whether to multi-boot with ME or 98 or can XP really run these older programs ?
I think it's the best OS I've seen from MS so far but I'm a little sceptical, given that I need to upgrade my Norton Antivirus to 2002 & my burner software to either Roxio or Nero above version 5 in each case.
The only other thing (minor) that didn't pass the upgrade advisor tests for me was my Voodoo 1 pass through card which I've been quite happy with to date & runs great under 98/ME environment.
Interested in anyone's XPriences with this as I have a lot of older programs which I'd like to keep using.
I'm going to go to XP anyway but would like to know whether to multi-boot with ME or 98 or can XP really run these older programs ?
I think it's the best OS I've seen from MS so far but I'm a little sceptical, given that I need to upgrade my Norton Antivirus to 2002 & my burner software to either Roxio or Nero above version 5 in each case.
The only other thing (minor) that didn't pass the upgrade advisor tests for me was my Voodoo 1 pass through card which I've been quite happy with to date & runs great under 98/ME environment.
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Hi Dean glad to see you and Navid.
Hi Navid
I have been using Win2000 Pro for about 9 months now and I it has been a charm for me. XP is Win2000 with better support for older hardware and software. Win2000 does have an option to run a program in a compatibility mode.
The only way I have been able to use this feature has been to right click on a shortcut for the app and then choose the "Compatibility" tab. Under that tab you can choose which mode, such as a Win95 mode, to run it in. I have only had moderate success in running some apps using this feature.
Part of the problem is that some apps rely on system files to work and of course system files will only be capable of doing there thing in the OS mode they were built for so one can't change these files to run in a compatibility mode.
Also some older apps make direct calls to the hardware and Win2000 does not allow this so for those applications there is nothing one can do short of an upgrade of the app to get it to work.
Dean it is my understanding that the advisor is pretty accurate in what it detects and one should take it rather seriously when it comes across something that it says wont operate correctly under XP. Of course the vendor of your card may have updated a driver for XP since XP was launched so you may want to look around to see if any updated drivers are available.
XP has a built in CD burner and there had been some reports that installing a third party burner software such as Nero or Roxio causes problems with burning CD's because of the built in CD burner.
Anyway I would suggest paying the extra money and get XP Pro instead of XP Home. Pro has much better security and networking features and handles running dual processors and an asundery of other things.
Your Freind
The Crazy One
AKA Spencer
Hi Navid
I have been using Win2000 Pro for about 9 months now and I it has been a charm for me. XP is Win2000 with better support for older hardware and software. Win2000 does have an option to run a program in a compatibility mode.
The only way I have been able to use this feature has been to right click on a shortcut for the app and then choose the "Compatibility" tab. Under that tab you can choose which mode, such as a Win95 mode, to run it in. I have only had moderate success in running some apps using this feature.
Part of the problem is that some apps rely on system files to work and of course system files will only be capable of doing there thing in the OS mode they were built for so one can't change these files to run in a compatibility mode.
Also some older apps make direct calls to the hardware and Win2000 does not allow this so for those applications there is nothing one can do short of an upgrade of the app to get it to work.
Dean it is my understanding that the advisor is pretty accurate in what it detects and one should take it rather seriously when it comes across something that it says wont operate correctly under XP. Of course the vendor of your card may have updated a driver for XP since XP was launched so you may want to look around to see if any updated drivers are available.
XP has a built in CD burner and there had been some reports that installing a third party burner software such as Nero or Roxio causes problems with burning CD's because of the built in CD burner.
Anyway I would suggest paying the extra money and get XP Pro instead of XP Home. Pro has much better security and networking features and handles running dual processors and an asundery of other things.
Your Freind
The Crazy One
AKA Spencer
ASKER
Hey Spencer
I had a feeling you might tap in on this one !
I'm really not that fussed about the Voodoo card as I can get a new 64mb card fairly cheap in my profession.
I have XP pro ready to install & only need the Norton 2002 to be set to go.
Also have recently built quite a few XP systems with burners & found XP software adequate but would like the drag n drop functionality of Adaptec.
In XP I have found not only the option to change properties of a proggie already installed but you can also install from scratch in compatibility mode. I haven't gone so far as to try it as the only machines I have had access to are clean builds for customers and I don't like to delay the sale of these by using them in a test environment.
OK let's cut to the chase. Do you have kids ? I do and they were less than impressed when I went to ME & some of their games & other programs no longer worked. I'm hoping this compatibility mode thing will solve that problem and once again I'll be the best Dad around for a brief time. My kids don't appreciate that I have to move on with new OS's to help me answer customer queries at work.
What I really need (and one day I'll do it just for the challenge) is a W95/98/2000/ME/XP/Linux/Un
Rest assured if I ever set something like that up you'll be the first to know.
Nice to touch base with you again my friend
Regards
Dean
AKA the WiZaRd
I had a feeling you might tap in on this one !
I'm really not that fussed about the Voodoo card as I can get a new 64mb card fairly cheap in my profession.
I have XP pro ready to install & only need the Norton 2002 to be set to go.
Also have recently built quite a few XP systems with burners & found XP software adequate but would like the drag n drop functionality of Adaptec.
In XP I have found not only the option to change properties of a proggie already installed but you can also install from scratch in compatibility mode. I haven't gone so far as to try it as the only machines I have had access to are clean builds for customers and I don't like to delay the sale of these by using them in a test environment.
OK let's cut to the chase. Do you have kids ? I do and they were less than impressed when I went to ME & some of their games & other programs no longer worked. I'm hoping this compatibility mode thing will solve that problem and once again I'll be the best Dad around for a brief time. My kids don't appreciate that I have to move on with new OS's to help me answer customer queries at work.
What I really need (and one day I'll do it just for the challenge) is a W95/98/2000/ME/XP/Linux/Un
Rest assured if I ever set something like that up you'll be the first to know.
Nice to touch base with you again my friend
Regards
Dean
AKA the WiZaRd
My 2 cents (or less) :)
A version or 2 down seem to work well with compatabily mode.
Older than that can be a waste of time. Dos compatabilty seems to be a real problem, especially for games.
Some software, latest vrs available, do not recognize all the hardware sometimes, or function partially with it.
CD burner with roxio has been a headache. Upgrade a must.
Disable the windows burner option before loading other software seem to work well.
The basic burner in windows (by roxio) also seems to work well by itself.
It may serve the purpose for many people.
Tcp networking has been confusing and the wizard leaves something to be disired.
In some instances people give up on it and revert back.
The plus pack has some items that would have been nice to have been included in the system.
A version or 2 down seem to work well with compatabily mode.
Older than that can be a waste of time. Dos compatabilty seems to be a real problem, especially for games.
Some software, latest vrs available, do not recognize all the hardware sometimes, or function partially with it.
CD burner with roxio has been a headache. Upgrade a must.
Disable the windows burner option before loading other software seem to work well.
The basic burner in windows (by roxio) also seems to work well by itself.
It may serve the purpose for many people.
Tcp networking has been confusing and the wizard leaves something to be disired.
In some instances people give up on it and revert back.
The plus pack has some items that would have been nice to have been included in the system.
In addition to the standard compatability tool, on the cd in \support\tools is act20.exe it enhances the compatibility tool with over 200 more tweaks. my suggestion would be to install xp on a test machine, do not activate it, install the games and such and see if you can get them to run. If wo, then install it on your regular machine and go for it
Oh and I forgot, Hi Navid and Spence!
I've got an XP box here at the house and so far we haven't had any compatability issues except with drivers and such that were easily updated. You might try the apps and/or games first to see what's what before trying the compatability mode. I put it on hubby's box because his is the most likely to crash (user errors) and burn, but so far even "he" can't crash it. LOL
Cheers!
Sandi
Cheers!
Sandi
ASKER
Well I'm honoured !
Some of my favourite experts here and all with very good suggestions.
Good point stevenlewis re trying the games/apps on a test system rather than my own. I am in a position to do that with 2 or 3 test machines at work.
Hi Sandi, long time no hear, hope you are well.
Do I detect an air of female superiority here ? Sounds like your poor hubby is the guinea pig here.
centerv thank you for confirming what I already had a gut feeling about. I can accept XP may be able to back up to 2000 or ME or even 98 in some cases but doubt that MS will be bothered to allow backward compatibility with most Win95 proggies.
Leaving open for a little while then will award points for creativity, presentation & neatness.
Regards
Dean
Some of my favourite experts here and all with very good suggestions.
Good point stevenlewis re trying the games/apps on a test system rather than my own. I am in a position to do that with 2 or 3 test machines at work.
Hi Sandi, long time no hear, hope you are well.
Do I detect an air of female superiority here ? Sounds like your poor hubby is the guinea pig here.
centerv thank you for confirming what I already had a gut feeling about. I can accept XP may be able to back up to 2000 or ME or even 98 in some cases but doubt that MS will be bothered to allow backward compatibility with most Win95 proggies.
Leaving open for a little while then will award points for creativity, presentation & neatness.
Regards
Dean
Mornin
Sandi. I have XP on one of my boxes, and I have been able to crash it, a few times LOL, mostly driver issues. ATI drivers suck. swapped out my Rage 128 for an Nvidia and seems to have stablized
Since installing, I have swap out the proc, mobo, NIC and video card formatted and reinstall a few times. I know the activation drill by heart ROTF
Sandi. I have XP on one of my boxes, and I have been able to crash it, a few times LOL, mostly driver issues. ATI drivers suck. swapped out my Rage 128 for an Nvidia and seems to have stablized
Since installing, I have swap out the proc, mobo, NIC and video card formatted and reinstall a few times. I know the activation drill by heart ROTF
Hey Steve! That's where we were smart. We started out with NVIDIA. The only app I had to upgrade was SygateHN and only on his box. I'll be upgrading to XP Pro sometime next month. I'm hoping I can get through it as an upgrade seeing how I have all the updated drivers ready for my box.
>>Hi Sandi, long time no hear, hope you are well.
>>Do I detect an air of female superiority here ? Sounds >>like your poor hubby is the guinea pig here.
But of course! He snuck out and bought the home edition after crashing Win98SE for the umteenth time so I said, "What the hell! May as well go for it." I'm sure glad we did now. He almost never asks for help anymore and I can devote more time to my graphics and games. LOL
Sandi
>>Hi Sandi, long time no hear, hope you are well.
>>Do I detect an air of female superiority here ? Sounds >>like your poor hubby is the guinea pig here.
But of course! He snuck out and bought the home edition after crashing Win98SE for the umteenth time so I said, "What the hell! May as well go for it." I'm sure glad we did now. He almost never asks for help anymore and I can devote more time to my graphics and games. LOL
Sandi
Seems like everyone has this bull by the horn.If I might add an additional note: XP compliancy falls into two categories... hardware and software.
Software issues are just that, solvable through upgrades/patches, so no further comments are needed from me.
An issue brought-up by Microsoft is that even though a system might "pass" their own pre-compliancy test, they warn that the test is not 100 percent accurate, and that some MOBO's have specific configurations that cause XP to intermmitently fail under use even though it installs fine and seems to work well for awhile. It is because of this that they recommend that the computer or MOBO be manufactured, NOT just purchased, after 2000.
A visit and thorough search of they XP HCL site can assist.
Probably, everyone here knows this already, but thought I might contribute to the general subject.
Software issues are just that, solvable through upgrades/patches, so no further comments are needed from me.
An issue brought-up by Microsoft is that even though a system might "pass" their own pre-compliancy test, they warn that the test is not 100 percent accurate, and that some MOBO's have specific configurations that cause XP to intermmitently fail under use even though it installs fine and seems to work well for awhile. It is because of this that they recommend that the computer or MOBO be manufactured, NOT just purchased, after 2000.
A visit and thorough search of they XP HCL site can assist.
Probably, everyone here knows this already, but thought I might contribute to the general subject.
ASKER
Thanks for the input pallidin.
What ? You mean Microsoft tests are not necessarily accurate ? I'm shocked & incoherent!
I reckon I'll take a punt anyway as I've got an image of my existing config. that I can always go back to.
Hey Sandi, hope your theory works regarding your husband.
It's kind of like promoting someone to get them off the sales floor eh?
What ? You mean Microsoft tests are not necessarily accurate ? I'm shocked & incoherent!
I reckon I'll take a punt anyway as I've got an image of my existing config. that I can always go back to.
Hey Sandi, hope your theory works regarding your husband.
It's kind of like promoting someone to get them off the sales floor eh?
ASKER
Some good responses here and nothing negative which is what I wanted to hear. Just interested in a second opinion from my respected colleagues. Increased points to 120 to accomodate the 6 people who commented (got a little bit out of each response). Dividing points 20 each as I think it would be unfair to choose one when it's not really a question just soliciting opinions.
Nice to see some people I haven't seen for a while.
Nice to see some people I haven't seen for a while.
Go back to win95, at least it worked.
Hi WiZaRd, just my 2cents...really do not carre for any points. I Beta tested XP Home, XPPro SC1 and SC2. Now have a box with both.
You mentioned running multiboot, if you considereing Multi OS's then will have to go with the Home ver. It will run on FAT32, and can patrition for another 9x OS. Home can also be loaded into NTFS partition, which gives it even more security and stability.
After having run ME for a while, XP Home made my box as if I had a faster system, with incredible stability. Installed on 10/25/01 and not one crash, with Me, several crashes.
XPPro is GREAT!
Thanks,
wlennon
You mentioned running multiboot, if you considereing Multi OS's then will have to go with the Home ver. It will run on FAT32, and can patrition for another 9x OS. Home can also be loaded into NTFS partition, which gives it even more security and stability.
After having run ME for a while, XP Home made my box as if I had a faster system, with incredible stability. Installed on 10/25/01 and not one crash, with Me, several crashes.
XPPro is GREAT!
Thanks,
wlennon
BTW-I am running some old 16 bit programs that are working fine. I have 6 boxes networked, and one of the 16 bit programs will not run on 98 or 98se, or Me.
Definantly will not run on NT or Win2000.
Definantly will not run on NT or Win2000.
wlennon
Hi Wesley, hope you're doing great!
Re: Multi os
XpPro will also run fat32 etc. All that home vrs does plus some.
Home vrs is really very good for small office/business as well.
cheers
Hi Wesley, hope you're doing great!
Re: Multi os
XpPro will also run fat32 etc. All that home vrs does plus some.
Home vrs is really very good for small office/business as well.
cheers
THANKS NAVID! You solved the one XP compatability problem I was having ... getting the PressWriter part of PrintShop6 to work (I'm too stingy to upgrade my PrintShop).
So far, I LIKE XP, contrary to what I had expected. Just wish InoculateIT would work without having to remove Norton.
So far, I LIKE XP, contrary to what I had expected. Just wish InoculateIT would work without having to remove Norton.
In spite of what Norton says about having to go to AV 2002, there is a patch at Norton for earlier versions. XP will tell you what to do, I have 2000 (the last you don't have to buy a yearly subscription to download virus updates) running happily on XP and it does automatic updates too.
Also, in spite of what Roxio said about having to go to 5.o, they too have patches for using 4.x with XP. I can't verify that 4.x works on XP because I have 5.0, but that works just fine, except for Take 2. Pity, I'd like to be able to do backup my system to CD.
Also, in spite of what Roxio said about having to go to 5.o, they too have patches for using 4.x with XP. I can't verify that 4.x works on XP because I have 5.0, but that works just fine, except for Take 2. Pity, I'd like to be able to do backup my system to CD.
Well I just got my WinXP Pro Edition in the mail from MS and I'll be installing it over the next 2 days. I just hope I've got all my drivers updated. Pretty sure I do though. I'll get back to you by the weekend and let you know how it went and how I like it. Win98SE is starting to crash at regular intervals and it's beginning to get on my nerves. :-) Wish me luck!
Cheers!
Sandi
Cheers!
Sandi
Hi Wizard,
Popular question!
My tuppenceworth:
I have a RAIDed (twin 40Gb Maxtors, striped) Athlon 1.4 with 512Mb. It has three system partitions, 5Gb each, for Windows Millennium, 2000 Server and XP Pro.
Provided they're installed in the order above, you should end up with a system as stable as mine.
My point is - why worry about backward compatibility? With disk space costing two pence a megabyte, I found it a lot easier to retain a 16-bit OS rather than fluff about with XP's compatibility features (having said that, the only time I tried it, on a old game called Battlezone, it worked fine...).
If the kids really ARE complaining, try the above. OK, so you end up with file duplications and apps installed more than once; but when the dust has settled you've got 3 or 4 original, unspoilt OS's on one PC.
If you have the knowledge and the confidence to go partitioning, it's a great solution.
Regs
OD
Popular question!
My tuppenceworth:
I have a RAIDed (twin 40Gb Maxtors, striped) Athlon 1.4 with 512Mb. It has three system partitions, 5Gb each, for Windows Millennium, 2000 Server and XP Pro.
Provided they're installed in the order above, you should end up with a system as stable as mine.
My point is - why worry about backward compatibility? With disk space costing two pence a megabyte, I found it a lot easier to retain a 16-bit OS rather than fluff about with XP's compatibility features (having said that, the only time I tried it, on a old game called Battlezone, it worked fine...).
If the kids really ARE complaining, try the above. OK, so you end up with file duplications and apps installed more than once; but when the dust has settled you've got 3 or 4 original, unspoilt OS's on one PC.
If you have the knowledge and the confidence to go partitioning, it's a great solution.
Regs
OD
Hello Old_Dog, it is not proper to uses the Answer button, but rather the Comment button, as an answer can be chosen from there. Please read the comments below the Comment box read about Comments vs. Answers, click on the more info link if you wish to learn more.
I will reject your Proposed answer, but it will still be included as a comment that could be chosen as an answer.
This will return the question back to the active list where other experts may see it.
Best regards,
ComTech
Community Support
I will reject your Proposed answer, but it will still be included as a comment that could be chosen as an answer.
This will return the question back to the active list where other experts may see it.
Best regards,
ComTech
Community Support
Yah sorry about that.
But it does beg the question (being new-ish), when SHOULD one use the Answer option?
Never?
If so, why not remove it?
But it does beg the question (being new-ish), when SHOULD one use the Answer option?
Never?
If so, why not remove it?
LOL Old_Dog, we've been trying for quite a while now, but they insist on keeping it. Maybe the new managment will be more responsive. We have discussed a time limitation. I guess we will all find out at the same time.
Cheers all and Happy Holidays,
ComTech
Community Support
Cheers all and Happy Holidays,
ComTech
Community Support
ASKER
Thanks again for input. As mentioned have split 6 ways (20 points each) as got some good ideas from each.
Will post 20 each for CrazyOne,centerv,stevenlew
Sorry I didn't get back sooner have been pretty sick in bed with flu virus.
Regards
Dean
Will post 20 each for CrazyOne,centerv,stevenlew
Sorry I didn't get back sooner have been pretty sick in bed with flu virus.
Regards
Dean
Merry Christams my friends!
And good luck to you all...
And good luck to you all...
Ditto Navid
and hope you are feeling beter
Dean
Steve
and hope you are feeling beter
Dean
Steve
Merry Xmas to all! :-)>>
ASKER
Still waiting for Huntress58, centerv & pallidin to pick up points posted.
Very interesting comment by aib01 re the software that will work when MS says it won't.
Hope all had a great Xmas.
Regards
Dean
Very interesting comment by aib01 re the software that will work when MS says it won't.
Hope all had a great Xmas.
Regards
Dean
Compatibility for older software under XP is not a problem with a simple and specific solution. There are tools that will help tho and with the proper matching of utility and software most compatibility issues can be dealt with.
First of all there is the built in Compatibility Mode of Windows XP. This is the first tool to try as it is already included with XP and at your immediate disposal. It has limited capabilities but since many compability issues are based on minor differences between OS's it will cure a fair number of problems. For more info on using Compatibility Mode see:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/itpro/compatibility/apcompatmode.asp
After trying Compatibility Mode, if you are still having problems you should look at some of the other tools that are available. Some of my personal favorites are;
VDMSound - http://ntvdm.cjb.net/
Many compatibility issues are simply a problem with how your sound hardware is accessed. VDMSound emulates traditional MPU-401 and SB-16 sound devices, which are lacking from a Windows XP platform.
DOSBox - http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/
Since XP is not based on a DOS enviroment, such as Win 3.1, Win 95, and Win 98 all were, software that depends on access to a DOS core has a real problem running under XP. DOSBox, emulates a DOS environment under XP allowing many programs to run that wouldn't otherwise.
Virtual PC - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/virtualpc/
Connectix takes the approach of emulating a Virtual PC within the XP enviroment which can have almost any PC OS installed. You can run a Virtual implementation of Linux, MS-DOS, Win3.1, Win95, Win98, WinMe, WinNT, Win2K, OS2, Etc.. You could run a virtual PC with XP on top of a real PC running XP if you so chose.
This is the ultimate compatibility solution but it is also the most demanding on system resources.
Apparently Microsoft has bought out Virtual PC, ie. the Microsoft web page, but it appears to be the same basic software although I have only used the Connectix release. VDMSound and DOSBox are both free but Virtual PC is not. At $129.99 it is not cheap either but when compared to the price of an additional PC it's not too bad and a lot more convenient. Currently there is a 45 day free trial and they are offering upgrade pricing if you qualify.
Another good reference source for issues with Games compatibility can be had thru
DOSGAMES.COM - http://www.dosgames.com/xphints.php#7. They have all sorts of tips on getting games to run under XP and most of these tips also apply to older apps too.
Hope this info will help you on your way to a better running system.
ElvesBrew
First of all there is the built in Compatibility Mode of Windows XP. This is the first tool to try as it is already included with XP and at your immediate disposal. It has limited capabilities but since many compability issues are based on minor differences between OS's it will cure a fair number of problems. For more info on using Compatibility Mode see:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/itpro/compatibility/apcompatmode.asp
After trying Compatibility Mode, if you are still having problems you should look at some of the other tools that are available. Some of my personal favorites are;
VDMSound - http://ntvdm.cjb.net/
Many compatibility issues are simply a problem with how your sound hardware is accessed. VDMSound emulates traditional MPU-401 and SB-16 sound devices, which are lacking from a Windows XP platform.
DOSBox - http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/
Since XP is not based on a DOS enviroment, such as Win 3.1, Win 95, and Win 98 all were, software that depends on access to a DOS core has a real problem running under XP. DOSBox, emulates a DOS environment under XP allowing many programs to run that wouldn't otherwise.
Virtual PC - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/virtualpc/
Connectix takes the approach of emulating a Virtual PC within the XP enviroment which can have almost any PC OS installed. You can run a Virtual implementation of Linux, MS-DOS, Win3.1, Win95, Win98, WinMe, WinNT, Win2K, OS2, Etc.. You could run a virtual PC with XP on top of a real PC running XP if you so chose.
This is the ultimate compatibility solution but it is also the most demanding on system resources.
Apparently Microsoft has bought out Virtual PC, ie. the Microsoft web page, but it appears to be the same basic software although I have only used the Connectix release. VDMSound and DOSBox are both free but Virtual PC is not. At $129.99 it is not cheap either but when compared to the price of an additional PC it's not too bad and a lot more convenient. Currently there is a 45 day free trial and they are offering upgrade pricing if you qualify.
Another good reference source for issues with Games compatibility can be had thru
DOSGAMES.COM - http://www.dosgames.com/xphints.php#7. They have all sorts of tips on getting games to run under XP and most of these tips also apply to older apps too.
Hope this info will help you on your way to a better running system.
ElvesBrew
ElvesBrew, this issue was resolved 3 years ago. Better late than never I guess. Welcome to the site!
Cheers!
Sandi
Cheers!
Sandi
ASKER
I'm gradually compiling a folder of useful info about XP and am impressed so far with what it can do.
Hoping to get a few responses here as it has always annoyed me how MS doesn't seem to feel obliged to stay backwards compatible with a lot of things. There's more than just the cost of a new OS involved here too but I am prepared to sacrifice some programs or go multi-boot if I have to. Thanks for the link but I'm fairly sure it's already bookmarked at work. I didn't have it at home so it's handy anyway.