I have a Spanish language program from Encoresoftware.com that I need
to run on my XP system. It installs fine, but when I try to load it,
the window goes black and I get an hourglass, but nothing ever
happens, no matter how long I wait. I have a Dell P4 with 256MB of RAM
and lots of free space on the drive. I tried their website, but they
don't have any answers and there's no way to contact their support. I
have the exact same problem with I try to use Mavis Beacon Teaches
Typing 5.0.

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Request for Question Clarification by clouseau-ga on 18 Apr 2004 14:32 PDT

Hi urnsbay,

I can't comment on the Spanish software as you have not specified a
program name, but there are two unsual things with Mavis Beacon.

First, the CD must be in the drive to run the program.
Second, you must be logged in as Administrator in Windows XP.

Would you try both of these suggestions and report back? If this
solves your problem, I'm happy to post as the official answer. If not,
I'll continue to see what else I might be able to find.

Regards,

-=clouseau=-

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Request for Question Clarification by livioflores-ga on 18 Apr 2004 16:00 PDT

Hi!!

Try using the Compatibility Mode on XP:
1- Find the executable or program shortcut icon you'd like to run.
2- Right-click the icon and select Properties.
3- Click the Compatibility tab and place a checkmark next to the text
labeled "Run this program in compatibility mode."
4- Select the operating system that the program was originally intended to run on.
5- You may need to fine-tune the three fields under "Display Settings"
if an older program requires 640x480 resolution or 256 colors.
6- Click Apply.

See the following page for further reference:
"Using Windows XP Compatibility Mode":
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/games/learnmore/compatmode.asp


Tell if it works and I will post it in the answer box, if not please
also let me know to continue the research.

Regards.
livioflores-ga

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Clarification of Question by urnsbay-ga on 18 Apr 2004 19:18 PDT

The name of the program actually is "Spanish". If you go to
Encoresoftware.com and look through their list of programs, that is
how you will see it listed, and that's how it's named on the
packaging.

And yes, I am logged in as Administrator. 

I will try the compatibility suggestion and get back to you with how that works.

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Clarification of Question by urnsbay-ga on 16 May 2004 13:15 PDT

Sorry to be gone from here so long, but I finally have things fixed!
It was the compatibility mode that made the difference! So thanks to
livioflores-ga - how do I go about giving you credit for this?

Hi urnsbay!!


Finally we got good news from you. Good!! 
I am really glad to know that your problem is solved. The way that you
can give me the credit is this, posting the comment with the solution
in the answer box, doing that I can receive the payment offered by you
for the researcher who gives you a proper answer.

So here is such answer:
A lot of software was developed in the "Windows 9x Era" and for many
of them exist compatibility problems with Windows XP. But the good
Bill gives us a tool called Compatibility Mode, this tool makes that a
large percentage of those old programs work properly in systems
running under Windows XP.
Pleas follow these steps to use the Compatibility Mode on XP:
1- Find the executable or program shortcut icon you'd like to run.
2- Right-click the icon and select Properties.
3- Click the Compatibility tab and place a checkmark next to the text
labeled "Run this program in compatibility mode."
4- Select the operating system that the program was originally intended to run on.
5- You may need to fine-tune the three fields under "Display Settings"
if an older program requires 640x480 resolution or 256 colors.
6- Click Apply.

See the following page for further reference:
"Using Windows XP Compatibility Mode":
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/games/learnmore/compatmode.asp


Again I am glad that my research helps you.

Best regards.
livioflores-ga

This answer worked perfectly for the problem I had.