Windows Compatibility FAQ's 

We would like to offer our customers information regarding compatibility issues with software running on Windows 95, 98, NT, ME, 2000, XP and Vista platforms.

If we list any of our programs as Windows or MAC compatible with a group of operating systems, that means that either the program manufacturer has listed it as compatible or we have tested it across all the operating systems listed and found it compatible.

We test all earlier software listed on the latest PC hardware, running multiple version operating systems like Windows XP and Vista to come. If it passes our testing by installing as is out of the box, or by using a simple set of compatibility instruction sets we have custom designed, the compatible operating systems are then listed on the software description page in our catalog. We offer phone support to all of our customers who requires help with new installations free of charge.

Most people are under the assumption that software programs are only compatible with the operating systems listed on the software box or CD jewel case. This is not a fact with over 95% of earlier version software on the market today.

The main reason newer operating systems are not listed on earlier version software is because the program was manufactured before the newer operating system was released. Over 80% of the software boxed for Windows 95 and 98 will run on ME, 2000, XP, and Vista without any issues. Most all programs designed for XP run on Vista.

With 15% of the remaining software programs, most errors encountered during an installation or running of the program can easily be remedied. Just to help you understand how insignificant most problems are, take a look at the 'case in point' example we provided below.

Most of the errors are in the nature of hardware issues, not the software itself! Most all software code is very solidly written and functions without any problems once you get past any hardware install issues it may have. This is because the newer operating systems like XP and Vista are backward compatible. Meaning the operating system is designed to run both 16bit and 32bit applications in compatibility modes.

Case In Point

One of the most common errors with earlier version software happens when the program first tries to install. It performs a system check to insure there is enough memory or disk space for the installation to complete. What typically happens is the program does not understand the new larger amounts of memory and disk space the newer PC's have and errors during the install when the numbers returned are not in the correct format of what the program was looking for. The new PC actually has more resources than the program needs, it just does not know it!

Much like the year 2000 glitch you may remember or heard about where the date in computer programs was recorded as two digits '99' instead of '1999'. The program was looking for a high two digit number and the new computer was returning the number 00, causing the program to fail.

Well, this is what is also happening with some earlier software programs, except it is happening with memory, disk space and program driver version numbers that are checked. Because the newer computers now come with huge hard drives and large amounts of memory the numbers being returned during a system check are too large for the program to understand and the installation fails.

For these programs we have custom developed simple instruction sets that can overcome or override these install issues making many of our great classic programs available across a larger number of operating systems and newer PC hardware.

If you have any install issues with a program purchased from us feel free to contact us, we will be happy to help you install your purchase.