Most programs run properly on Windows XP with
no difficulties whatsoever. But what if you have an older LucasArts
Entertainment, Sierra On-Line, ORIGIN
Systems, SSI, or other classic PC
game that you want to play? Well, if they were written for an earlier
version of Windows, this guide is for you! Without further ado, here are a
few steps to consider:
The Program
Compatibility Wizard
This wizard prompts you to test your program in different modes (environments)
and with various settings. If the program was originally designed to run on Windows
95, set the compatibility mode to Windows
95 and try running your program again, and if successful, the program
will start in that mode each time. The wizard also allows you to try different
settings, such as switching the display to 256
Colors and the screen resolution to 640
x 480 pixels. If compatibility problems prevent you from installing a
program on Windows XP, run the Program
Compatibility Wizard on the setup file for the program. The file may be
called setup.exe or something similar,
and is probably located on the either the first diskette or the Installation CD
for the program. To run the Program Compatibility Wizard click Start,
click Help and Support, click Find
compatible hardware and software for Windows XP, and then, under See
Also in the navigation pane, click Program
Compatibility Wizard.
Set the
compatibility properties manually
As an alternative to running the Program Compatibility Wizard, you can set the
compatibility properties for a program manually. The settings are the same as
the options in the Program Compatibility Wizard.
To set the compatibility properties for a program manually, right-click the
program icon on your desktop or the shortcut on the Start menu for the program
you want to run, and then click Properties.
Click the Compatibility tab, and change
the compatibility settings for your program. The Compatibility
tab is only available for programs installed on your hard drive. Although you
can run the Program Compatibility Wizard
on programs or setup files on a CD-ROM or floppy disk, your changes will not
remain in effect after you close the program. For more information about an
option on the Compatibility tab, right-click the option and then click What's
This.
Update your
program or drivers
If your program does not run correctly after testing it with the Program
Compatibility Wizard, check the Internet for updates or other fixes. There
are many options:
- Check the Web site of the program's
manufacturer to see if an update or patch is available.
- Check Windows Update to see if a fix is
available for the program. Click Home on the menu bar of Help and Support
Center, then click Windows Update in the right pane.
- If the program is a game that uses DirectX,
ensure that you are using the latest version of DirectX.
- In addition, check the Web site of the
manufacturer of your video card or sound card to see if newer drivers are
available for either of them.
Download a MS-DOS emulator
Sometimes the simplest solution for older software is to download a program
which pretends to be the original MS-DOS language. These emulators are
Windows compatible, so you start up the emulator, then run the retro game from
within it. Most older games work perfectly well using these emulators, and
save you the trouble of trying to fit a square peg DOS game into a Windows round
hole! Examples of emulators are the fabulous DOSBox
(Windows), Scummvm (Windows),
or Boxer (for your Max OS/X
system!).
