Install Program on Windows XP Pro: Solutions & Tips

  • Thread starter Thread starter bomba923
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
A user with Windows XP Pro encountered installation issues with a program requiring Windows 95, receiving an error message despite attempts to adjust compatibility settings. Suggestions included using a virtual machine to run Windows 95, utilizing free software like Xen for Windows, or dual-booting with a separate partition for Windows 95. The user ultimately resolved the issue by modifying the installation instructions file, changing specific variables to bypass the Windows 95 requirement. Others in the discussion shared their struggles with similar installation problems and offered advice on editing installation files and adjusting compatibility settings for various executable files. The conversation highlighted the challenges of running legacy software on modern operating systems and the potential solutions available.
bomba923
Messages
759
Reaction score
0
I have Windows XP Pro, and there is a program--from an CD--I'm trying to install...

However, every time I try to install it--it always says:

~"This program requires Windows 95. Please install Windows 95 and then try again."

I've tried changing the compatibility settings for the setup file...but it doesn't work! !
(the program won't install)

**How can I get the program to install?
(what else can I try?)
 
Last edited:
Computer science news on Phys.org
use a virtual machine that runs win95...
i haven't done this myself with this program...
but if you don't want to spend 200$ for something that would absolutly work (VMware or virtual PC)
you could try xen for windows.
use the freeDos image and try to install win95 on it if you still got it...

http://free.oszoo.org/download.html

and i guess you can always just install win95 in a separate partition and dual boot (though because win95 messes the MBR, you won't be able to boot to XP after you install win95, youd have to install a third party boot loader, or re-istall XP.. (there most probably are tools on the XP CD that would fix the MBR... but i haven't used them... google it...)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks for the help, but I finally got the program to install by modifying the installation instructions file; I changed the [Win95Only] variable to a "No" and deleted one DirectX procedure, so the program installs and runs perfectly.

This is the installations instructions log I found on the CD...on which I modified a few variables so the program would install:
DefineVariables
Text [ProductName] := CyberSpeed
Text [CompanyName] := Mindscape
Text [MainExeName] := CYBER.EXE
Text [FloatingExeName] := CYBER.EXE
Text [IntegerExeName] := CYBER.EXE
Text [CommandLineArgs1] :=
Text [CommandLineArgs2] :=
Text [ProgGrpName] := CYBERSPEED
Text [ProgGrpFileName] := CYBER.GRP
Text [RegEntryRoot] := Software
Text [RegEntry] := Cyberspeed
Text [RegAppID] := Cyberspeed
Text [IconName1] := BIG.ICO
Text [HelpFileName] := CyberHlp.HLP
Text [UninstallName] := UNSETUP.EXE
Text [UninstallScript] := UNSETUP.INS
Text [ThisWin32sVersion] := 1.25.142.0
Text [LogFile] := CYBER.LOG
Text [TempFile] :=
Text [TempStr] :=
Text [WinVer] :=
Text [WinPlatform] :=
Text [CurrentInstallOpt] := BlankString
Text [Win95DefProgFiles] := Program Files
Directory [PrevInstDir] := BlankString
Directory [SavedGameDir] := SAVED
Text [DefaultDestDir] :=
Directory [ExecDir] := Savegame
Directory [DefDest] := CYBER
Directory [LogoDir] := LOGO
Logical [Win95Only] := NoCharacter
Logical [RunsOnWin95] := NoCharacter
Logical [RunsOnNT] := YesCharacter
Logical [RunsOnWin32s] := YesCharacter
Logical [RunsOnWin16] := NoCharacter
Logical [TempYes] := NoCharacter
Logical [BailOut] := NoCharacter
Logical [PreviousInstall] := NoCharacter
Logical [DoWin32sSetup] := NoCharacter
Logical [DoReinstall] := NoCharacter
Logical [Multilingual] := NoCharacter
Logical [RebootRequired] := NoCharacter
Number [MaxInstallDirLen] := 60
Number [Continue] := 1012
Logical [Root] := NoCharacter
Logical [CopyAborted] := NoCharacter
Directory [SourceDir] :=
Directory [TempDir] := BlankString
EndDefineVariables

SetDefaultBitmap Off

;;SetInstallModeTo Install
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
**Can anyone tell me what programming language writes declarations like this? This programming language also includes "Procedure...End Procedure" statements (exactly as written)...
 
sounds like delphi, pascal based
 
cyberspeed

omg! no way...I'm not sure if this thread is too old to be replied to - but I'm having exactly the same problems as the guy above who is trying to install cyberspeed.
I'm not sure how you did it, if u opened the install.dll in notepad then modified it or what...but I really really want to know!

Thanks
 
"open" the cd-rom as a folder, right click on the install/setup program, and set the compatability to Windows 98.
 
no luck

nope, still no luck...didn't know about the compatability option - thanks for that - but shame it didn't work.
 
Ignition1 said:
nope, still no luck...didn't know about the compatability option - thanks for that - but shame it didn't work.
Open the install files with notepad.
You can ignore the large ones like .exe, .dll or ??_.
Something in the < 10K range like a .ini file.
Other types besides .ini are used.

This is the best bet for parms like these.
If you find it you will need to copy the CD to the HD.
Edit the file and try install from HD copy.

A lot of old 98 Pgms (particuarly games) will start
then fail as you play due to memory leaks.
Win 98 didn't care, XP does.
 
Ignition1 said:
nope, still no luck...didn't know about the compatability option - thanks for that - but shame it didn't work.
Keep setting the compatiblity for the .DLL's and the .EXE's on the cd-rom. Eventually it should work.
 
Back
Top