How do I troubleshoot program compatibility problems?

Question

How do I troubleshoot program compatibility problems?

Answer 1

Most programs written for Windows Vista also work in Windows 7, but some older programs might run poorly or not at all. If a program written for an earlier version of Windows doesn't run correctly, you can try changing the compatibility settings for the program, either manually or by using the Program Compatibility troubleshooter.

To run the Program Compatibility troubleshooter:

1.      Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.

2.       In the search box, type troubleshooter, and then click Troubleshooting.

3.      Under Programs, click Run programs made for previous versions of Windows.

4.      Follow the instructions in the troubleshooter.

If you can’t install a program, insert the installation disc for the program and, using the troubleshooter, browse to the program's setup file, usually called Setup.exe, Install.exe, or something similar. The troubleshooter is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi file name extension.

Answer 2

After apparently successfully installing Mass Effect, I tried to run the program and it immediately loaded Mass Effect Configuration Utility and promptly sent me a message that Configuration Utility has had an error and will shut down. I then went to the Program Compatibility feature of Windows 7, which tested for compatibility and recommended running it on Windows XP SP2 settings. I tried that and ran into the exact same problem that I initially ran into - running the program sent me to Configuration Utility which had an error and shut down. 

Then I went to additional options in the compatibility troubleshooter and it flat out tells me its an incompatible application.

Brand new computer and all I can get to run on it successfully is a word processor and a browser so far.

Answer 3

Most programs written for Windows Vista also work in Windows 7, but some older programs might run poorly or not at all. If a program written for an earlier version of Windows doesn't run correctly, you can try changing the compatibility settings for the program, either manually or by using the Program Compatibility troubleshooter.

 

To run the Program Compatibility troubleshooter:

1.      Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.

2.       In the search box, type troubleshooter, and then click Troubleshooting.

3.      Under Programs, click Run programs made for previous versions of Windows.

4.      Follow the instructions in the troubleshooter.

 

If you can’t install a program, insert the installation disc for the program and, using the troubleshooter, browse to the program's setup file, usually called Setup.exe, Install.exe, or something similar. The troubleshooter is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi file name extension.

Hi Kevin,

If the troubleshooter is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi file name extension, then what can we do about those?

I have a legacy application that uses an .msi installer to deploy some .ocx and .dll components on the client side. This worked fine on Vista. On Windows 7 it keeps popping up error messages like these: 

Error 1321, The installer has insufficient privileges to modify the file C:\Windows\system32\myfile.dll

Error 1304. Error writing to file C:\Windows\system32\myotherfile.ocx. Verify that you have access to that directory.

Error 1310. Error writing to file C:\Windows\system32\myotherfile2.ocx. Verify that you have access to that directory.

I tried enabling the checkbox "Run this program in compatibility mode for Previous version of Windows" in the file Properties. Same result. Is there anything else I can try?

Thanks,

Svet

Answer 4

Ok, I realize this post was back in August but I'm having the an issue with Loading my Sony Camcorder.  It's model #HDR-SR7 and I just tried loading this software in the toubleshooter and got farther with that than I did with several attempts just using the disk (troublshooter showed more things that were loading than before, but said it was uncompatible for 2 of the items). It was loading them in verison XP service pack 2 and it failed.  Upon restarting my laptop (after the install said to) it stated that "your computer was unable to start up, repair is checking your system for problems" and restarted w/o loading the program.  For more info on this issue, I want to tell you that IF I don't do a restart after I load the program it will RUN and WORKS fine, until I restart my laptop or shut it down.   And after I do, my printer goes missing...

Please let me know if you have come across a solution for this as SONY's tech support says I'm the only one that's got this problem and they blamed my laptop.  This seems to be the only program I'm having issues with loading.  Sony's only update for my software was made in May 2009.   I even tried that download and it doesn't work.  MS Office 2003 loads fine, QB version 8 loads fine.  My laptop is the HP dv-7-2270us, Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit.  We just purchased this because my XP is dying and I need a fast laptop for working on vid's, pic's and still have our bookkeeping on it. 

Please let me know if there's an update I need for this?

Thanks

Answer 5

I am in the exact same boat as you with Mass Effect and a number of other games.  I bought this beast of a computer and I have tried 6 games so far.  Not one of them has installed and played correctly.  Windows 7 was supposed to be this great operating system and all it's done is made me feel stupid for wasting money on a computer that runs it.