Missing Compatibility Mode on XP Home

Question

Hi all, Lately i have been trying to run some older programs on my dell laptop (700m) and i am currently running the windows (XP Home) that came with the laptop. but the problem is, the compatibility mode, where you can set which OS to run it in, is missing from all the Properties window for any program i tried right clicking on (yes the tab is not even there). even the way on microsoft's website didnt work (Start Menu -> "Help and Support" -> "Fixing a Problem" -> "Application and Software problems" -> "Getting older programs to run on Windows XP" -> "Program Compatibility Wizard") all it gives is a script error:

An error has occurred in the script on this page:
Line: 36
Char: 1
Error: The specified module could not be found
Code: 0
URL: hcp://system/compatctr/compatmode.htm
Do you want to continue running scripts on this page?

and if i press either yes or no it just gives me a page that asks you to press continue to start the Compatibility Wizard but all the buttons in the lower right corner are blank and if i press it nothing happens aside from the script error showing again. so my question is, is there a way to fix it? or should i just reinstall a XP Pro on to here (and can anyone tell me how i can revert back to the dell's XP Home files if i want to change back?) Thanks in advance

tgsmith · Answer

Zz3ta,

XP Home should run compatability wizard with no problem.

Apparently, you tried using the manual method to set compatibility mode for a specific program as described in this link: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q301911 ? If I understand you correctly, when you right-click on the older program, left click on Properties, the Compatibility tab is not there.

Have you tried opening the compatibility wizard file directly by navigating to it in : C:\Windows\PCHEALTH\Helpctr\System\CompatCtr\compatmode.htm? Do you get the same error?

If you get the same error, you might try the following: Click on Start|Run. Type sfc /scannow. Press Enter. This will verify that all your Windows system files are the correct version. Have your XP Home CD handy in case files have to be replaced with the correct version. If that doesn't fix the problem you might try repairing your Windows installation as described here: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm.

I would avoid installing XP Pro at this time. It will not solve any compatibility problems with older programs.

Tony

Message Edited by tgsmith on 03-06-2006 05:03 AM

NegativeLlama · Answer

CompatMode.htm is inside there but under this path
C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\System\CompatCtr\CompatMode.htm

but when i run it, it still shows the 3 blank buttons at the bottom right hand corner (i tried the first 2 but they do nothing...the last one is cancel)

for the repair install, this is the dell OEM MS XP home that is on the hdd so how would the repair install work???
right now i am verifying the windows files with the sfc /scannow so i'll post again when i am done

Windows General

Missing Compatibility Mode on XP Home

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