Easy fixes for common Windows XP problems

By Brian Culp

September 1, 2005 12:00 PM ET

Recommended

(7)

Digg

Twitter

Share/Email

The following is excerpted from Chapter 14, "Common Problems --Easy Fixes," of Brian Culp's Spring Into Windows XP Service Pack 2, with permission from publisher Addison Wesley Professional.
Program Compatibility
Older programs might not always work with Windows XP. You might have a favorite application that worked great under Windows 95, but the software vendor has since gone out of business, and they have not released a version for the XP platform.
Not to worry. A great XP feature called Application Compatibility lets you run programs using automated settings that make XP behave, as least as far as the application is concerned, a lot more like older Windows versions.
To run a program in Application Compatibility mode, follow these steps:

Open the Start Menu and find the shortcut for the desired application.

Right-click the shortcut and choose Properties.

Select the Compatibility tab, and then select the compatibility mode appropriate for the application.

Click Apply to commit the changes. You can also select from one of several display settings, although this is not required. However, many games and educational titles written for the MS-DOS or Windows 95 platform can only use 256 colors.

Now, every time you use the shortcut to launch the program, XP "fools" the app into thinking it's running on whatever version of Windows you specified.
An alternate approach is to run the Program Compatibility Wizard. This is a Help and Support Center utility that essentially does the same thing. To launch it, choose the Start Menu | All Programs | Accessories | Program Compatibility Wizard.
You'll be able to figure it out from there. You can choose from a Microsoft-generated list of programs or locate the program manually. Once you select the program, set the compatibility mode with the dialog box.
Diagnose Slow Performance
Slow performance can be a very difficult problem to diagnose, as the causes of slow performance are many. What's more, slow performance is often a subjective measurement: "Slow" to one person can be "working as designed" to another.
Here's one thing you can count on, however: The longer you use a computer, the slower it's going to respond. Fortunately, XP ships with several tools to help diagnose and correct the causes of degraded performance.
These tools include:

My Computer Information -- Use this information to figure out what hardware and software is installed on your system. Included here is a look at the operating system version and the processor speed.

Network Diagnostics -- Lets you gather information about the network, which you use to troubleshoot network-specific issues.

Advanced System Information -- Links you to targeted information about a particular issue and can even put you in touch with a technical support person for further assistance with especially difficult issues.

Recommend Digg Twitter ShareThis

Email Print Send Feedback Reprints

Jump to comments

Windows

Additional Resources

Xerox

Win a color printer!

By using solid ink technology only from Xerox, you could save up to 65% by printing color for the cost of black and white. Enter for a chance to WIN a PhaserTM 8860 network color printer!

Microsoft

Upgrade to Internet Explorer 8 today.

Save time and mitigate security risk. Deploy it now.

Sybase

NEXT-GENERATION MOBILITY PLATFORMS

In this white paper, IDC analyzes the role of next-generation mobile enterprise platforms as organizations seek a more strategic deployment of mobile solutions.

Learn the important issues you must consider before starting your next mobility initiative. Get your mobility white paper from IDC now, compliments of Sybase.

White Papers & Webcasts

Keeping hold of your customers, especially in tough economic conditions
Download Now!

The Commercialization of ITIL: Lessons Learned
Register for this event today!

Oracle Accelerate - Not Just Smart but Timely
Download Now!

Key Findings: Accelerating ROI with BPM
Click here to watch now!

Why BI is Ripe - Now! - For Businesses of Any Size
Download Now!

Top to Bottom Performance Management Excellence at the City of Chicago
View now.

How Midsize Businesses Are Using ERP To Gain Competitive Advantage in a Tough Economy
Download Now!

Strategies for Driving Down IT Support Costs with Lite ITIL Practices
View this now!

Leveling the Field: Powerful Software Solutions for Midsize Companies
Download Now!

Data Protection is not an insurance policy -you cannot buy-back lost data
Find out why you need to maintain access to critical information to run your business and remain competitive.

All White Papers | All Webcasts