Chapter 2: Running Programs

Running Programs in Compatibility Mode

Some older programs, especially games, don't run correctly under Windows XP or 2000. Windows XP has a new feature called compatibility mode that emulates previous versions of Windows--Windows 2000, NT 4.0, Me, 98, and 95. Compatibility mode can also set the display to the lower resolutions that were standard several years ago. If you have a program that used to run well but balks at Windows XP, compatibility mode may fix the problem.

Don't use compatibility mode to run programs that are specifically designed for older versions of Windows. For example, a virus checker that is designed for use with Windows 95 should not be run with Windows XP.

You can set all your compatibility modem options by creating or editing a shortcut for the program, or by working with the .exe (executable) file that you run to start the program. Right-click the shortcut or .exe file for the program that has compatibility problems, and choose Properties from the menu that appears. Click the Compatibility tab on the Properties dialog box (as shown in Figure 2-9). Click the Run This Program Using Compatibility Mode check box and select a previous version of Windows from the drop-down menu. You can also run the program in 256 colors (also known as 8-bit color, a much smaller set of colors that are standard for Windows XP), 640 × 480 screen resolution (lower than the usual 800 × 600 minimum for modern PCs), or without visual themes (with desktop themes disabled).

Figure 2-9: Setting compatibility options for the shortcut to a program

You can find out whether a program works with Windows XP by choosing Start | Help And Support and clicking Find Compatible Hardware And Software For Windows XP in the Help And Support Center window. When you see the Product Search window, type the name of the program and click Search. Windows contacts Microsoft's database of compatible products over the Internet and displays a list of products that match the words you typed.

Getting Acquainted with Windows by Playing Games Games have been an important part of the personal computer experience from the beginning. Even people who are intimidated by serious tools, such as word processors and spreadsheets, can be enticed into learning games--and the basic computer skills the games require. Windows XP provides a variety of games: Solitaire FreeCell, Classic Solitaire, Spider Solitaire, and Minesweeper. Classic Hearts Simulated four-player card game in which the computer plays the other three hands. If your computer is on a local area network (LAN), you can play against others. Pinball For one to four players. MSN Gaming Zone Internet Backgammon, Internet Checkers, Internet Hearts, Internet Reversi, and Internet Spades. In these games, you play against other people over the Internet. You can also run these games from the Web site at http://zone.msn.com. You can play these games by choosing Start | All Programs | Games. Once a game is running, you can look up rules and strategies on the Help menu.

If the Games folder doesn't appear on the Start | All Programs | menu, or if the Games folder does not contain all the games we mention, you can install them from the Windows XP CD-ROM.