adding older programs

I have not been able to add older programs i used with windows 98. Can you install older programs on windows xp and how do you go about it?
Thanks!
pkb

 

pkb--I do not have XP, but remember reading somewhere that XP offers an option to "Run in WIn98 Compatibility Mode ".

 

I have XP and have installed all kinds of programs (old and new) on it. When you say you can't install them what do you mean, that they won't install or won't run after they are installed?
Do you have any specific examples.

 

Also check your programs on this site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/upgrading/compat.asp
to see if they are compatible with XP.

 

I tried to install the program like usuial, under the start, run then install and I could not do it. I will check all these suggestions out. I had been told that windows xp was having problems with using older programs. Is windows xp the best yet?
pkb

 

XP appears to me to be a better OS than Win95/98 but being new it does not like some older software. I know I had to upgrade a few of the utilities I use, so that they would be XP compatible.

 

Install the Compatibility Updates as suggested .. that would be the best thing to do. However, if that still doesn't work, try this.

Right click on the executable file. Choose Properties.

Click the Compatibility tab.

Under Compatibility Mode, choose the Os you want the program to run in, preferably Windows 98 or something not related to the NT kernel.

 

Hi,

Yeah, I had some problems with old software (not that old anyway) with XP. The most notable is NetOp Remote Control V 6.5. Have to update (and unfortunately pay for it) to V 7.0, redesigned for XP. Diskeepr also is dodgy...The list goes on. Try to find a newer version for your loved ones...

 

older software errors

I tried the compatibilty optons for "Amber" Still getting following errors:
Script error: Handler not defined
#MOVUTILS
# NEW GAME

 

This game "Amber ", is it a DOS game, rather than a Windows game?
If so, I can almost guarantee that you will not be able to run it under Windows XP.

This is because Windows XP is based on entirely other code than the Windows 9x OS's.

Windows NT/2000/XP are entirely 32 bit OS's and doesn't contain DOS, but instead a command interpreter which looks like a DOS window (and has a lot of people thinking that it is actually DOS).

Windows 95/98/ME on the other hand are combined 16/32 bit systems which contain true DOS access - in the case of Windows 95/98 so much so that you can restart your entire PC into pure DOS.

I apologize for my long-winded reply.

 

Laage

You answered my question before I asked it.

Windows 95/98/ME on the other hand are combined 16/32 bit systems which contain true DOS access

Win95, 98 and 98 SE yes. But Win98 ME no. It is lacking the same DOS support as 98 & 98SE. And SE is not as good for DOS as 95 or 98.

ME has problems with older DOS software also. That is one reason I have to stick with the original Win98. We have quite a bit of older DOS software.

I can take any DOS software and INSTALL it into 98 or 98SE but not ME.

BillyBob

 

I may have been misunderstood when I said true DOS access in ME, I meant that you had access to true DOS in a window, that was also why I later specified that the older versions of the 9x series allows you to restart your system into a pure DOS environment, while ME does not.
Upon re-reading my own comment I have to admit it was a little vague, however the sentence "in the case of Windows 95/98 so much so that you can restart your entire PC into pure DOS." was supposed to mean that they allow this while ME does not.

I believe that the DOS version used in ME is version 7, however I'm not able to verify this at the moment.

 

older games

Man this can be technical!! And I thought I was actually moving on to bigger and better things by going to XP!~
Just a ploy so I will have to replace all my games! LOL

 

older games

So if I download a game that is compatable with NT/2000 it should run under XP?

 

you had access to true DOS in a window,

A DOS window ( alias DOS Prompt ) is not true DOS. Windows is still Running. Some DOS Commands will not run here.

Actually restarting to the DOS Mode in 95, 98FE & 98SE is not true DOS either. PART of Windows is still Running. I think about 4-5K. Unless a program .pif file is setup to use a specific Config.sys and Autoexec.bat which sets up a form of Dual Boot. Then you might have true DOS. But, if this procedure does not work properly ALL HELL can break loose

The only way to get True DOS with 95 and up is to boot from a floppy such as the 95 or 98 Startup Disk from a cold start directly to the floppy. Or nowdays it can be done from a CDROM.

The Command prompt that is availabe in 95, 98FE & 98SE is close.

BillyBob

 

Microsoft has an article on, see the following site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/howto/gethelp/appcompat.asp