Q.    When I run the Update Installation program, it freezes on me and won't continue.

I have been using the DCMS successfully in Windows XP on my three computers here at home (two desktops and a laptop) since July 2002 and it's working splendidly.  However, not all copies of Windows XP work the same in all computers. 

My laptop and my assistant's desktop computer have run the program flawlessly without a hitch. My main desktop computer, however, required me to use the "compatibility" option of WinXP.  This is a wonderful feature that I am glad Microsoft included in this version of Windows. It's also in Windows 2000.

The reason compatibility is offered is because Windows XP and 2000 contain so very many configuration options to allow Windows to be as powerful as you need it to be. The problem is that programs like mine, which were designed before Windows XP, don't know about all the many possible programs which could be running in the background of Windows, and which actually conflict with the DCMS - or try to use the same operating resources as my program does. Whenever you conflict with a Microsoft product, you lose.

Therefore Windows allows itself to be put in "compatibility" mode, where for all intents and purposes, it looks and feels exactly like a previous version of Windows to the program you are trying to run. As a user, you don't see any difference in Windows, but the DCMS sees a much less cluttered environment to run in.

To use the DCMS Update or Re-INstallation Update program in Windows XP, I recommend that you make it "compatible" with Windows 98. To do that, please follow these steps...  (please note that the instructions below assume you installed the program to the default directory (the DCMSWIN folder of Drive C:) If yours is installed differently, please adjust steps 2 and 3)

1.   Locate the Update file you downloaded from the web site. When you do, right-click on it once to bring up a pop-up menu.

2.   Choose "Properties" from the menu. A Properties window will appear. Across the top, you will see several "tabs". One will be labeled "Compatibility". Click on the Compatibility tab. On the Compatibility page, you will see an option box labeled "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" Check that box, and the menu will activate below that option box. From the menu, choose "Windows 98/Windows Me". Leave all the other options on that page as they are. Finally, click the "Apply" button at the bottom of the box, and then click the "OK" button to close the box.

Now, when you start the Update Installation, WinXP first sets itself up to look like Windows 98 - which the DCMS works extremely well in. Like I said, I only have to do that in my desktop computer and it is the one with the more complicated configuration (three separate monitors and lots of toys attached) If you experience any problems running in WinXP just use the "Compatibility" option and they should disappear. 

Hope that helps
 

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