XP sp3's incompatibility with 16 bit applications+installers

October 20, 2008

I thought I was wise to get XP on my new Dell PC, since I needed

little problems with program compatability from the software apps I

was running on my prior SP2 XP machine. But since the new Dell XP came

with SP3 it appears I am screwed . . . SP3 doesn't (appear) to work

with 16 bit apps . . . I've spent 8 hours testing and reviewing all

the latest MS kb articles on this topic to no avail. E.g., I use a

Cpen 800C handheld scanner in my work that will not work with SP3, and

they don't make these devices anymore, the current versions don't work

unless hooked up to a computer, the old version has an LCD display and

allows you to work in the field and then come back to the office and

upload your data . . . IS ANYONE OUT THERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO RUN 16 BIT

APPS WITH SP3. IF NOT, HOW DO YOU REVERT TO XP SP2?

October 20, 2008

Re: XP sp3's incompatibility with 16 bit applications+installers

Question 1. It makes little difference if someone has a 16-bit program

working with XP SP3 since that doesn't change the fact that your program is

not working. You might want to contact Dell and see if they have any

information. MS also offers free support on update issues:

http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?LN=en-us&gprid=6527&x=14&y=15

Question 2. If SP3 is listed in Add/Remove programs, it can be removed from

that screen. If it was included (slipstreamed) into the XP CD, I don't

believe it can be removed.

--

Regards

Ron Badour

MS MVP

Windows Desktop Experience

"Tdub" <gripshift5@email.com> wrote in message

news:9a795d5a-ae30-479b-833e-a4760fb7ca2d@y71g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...

>I thought I was wise to get XP on my new Dell PC, since I needed

> little problems with program compatability from the software apps I

> was running on my prior SP2 XP machine. But since the new Dell XP came

> with SP3 it appears I am screwed . . . SP3 doesn't (appear) to work

> with 16 bit apps . . . I've spent 8 hours testing and reviewing all

> the latest MS kb articles on this topic to no avail. E.g., I use a

> Cpen 800C handheld scanner in my work that will not work with SP3, and

> they don't make these devices anymore, the current versions don't work

> unless hooked up to a computer, the old version has an LCD display and

> allows you to work in the field and then come back to the office and

> upload your data . . . IS ANYONE OUT THERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO RUN 16 BIT

> APPS WITH SP3. IF NOT, HOW DO YOU REVERT TO XP SP2?

October 20, 2008

Re: XP sp3's incompatibility with 16 bit applications+installers

>I thought I was wise to get XP on my new Dell PC, since I needed

>little problems with program compatability from the software apps I

>was running on my prior SP2 XP machine. But since the new Dell XP came

>with SP3 it appears I am screwed . . . SP3 doesn't (appear) to work

>with 16 bit apps . . . I've spent 8 hours testing and reviewing all

>the latest MS kb articles on this topic to no avail. E.g., I use a

>Cpen 800C handheld scanner in my work that will not work with SP3, and

>they don't make these devices anymore, the current versions don't work

>unless hooked up to a computer, the old version has an LCD display and

>allows you to work in the field and then come back to the office and

>upload your data . . . IS ANYONE OUT THERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO RUN 16 BIT

>APPS WITH SP3. IF NOT, HOW DO YOU REVERT TO XP SP2?

Here's something you can try. Right click the program's icon and do

Properties. You should see a Compatibility tab. From the drop down

menu, try choosing the choosing "Run This Program In Compatibility

Mode" checkbox and use Win95. See if it helps. I haven't heard of many

16-bit issues mentioned here since SP3 was released.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

October 20, 2008

Re: XP sp3's incompatibility with 16 bit applications+installers

Tdub wrote:

> I thought I was wise to get XP on my new Dell PC, since I needed