Compatibility Mode in Windows 2000

[Stealth]

Contrary to popular belief, Windows XP isn't the first OS to have a compatibility mode. Windows 2000 has the same feature, but it's not enabled by default.

To perform the trick, you have to be logged on as the Administrator, of course.

Go to Start -> Run. Into the Open, type in the following command:
regsvr32 %systemroot%\apppatch\slayerui.dll
Put simply, regsvr32 activates the DLL and allows it to self-register and integrate into the OS. %systemroot% is a path keyword that always points to the Windows installation folder, usually C:\WINNT. The slayerui.dll contains the normally hidden compatibility mode coding.
Click OK to integrate.

To use the new mode, right-click the shortcut of the troublesome program and click Properties. A new tab is now available, Compatibility. Inside it, check the Run in Compatibility Mode checkbox, select the compatibility layer you need and click OK. Start the application as usual, and the compatibility layer might just help it run properly.

[Bryce W]

Awsome tip, I have a few clients where most of the PCs in their company are Win2k boxes and they run a some Windows98 boxes to drive the plotters (for some reason the specialise plotter software wont operate on Windows 2000).
Ill have to give this a try next time im over there. :cool:

[Stealth]

As long as they can secure the proper driver for the plotters, it should work. Windows 98 used VXDs as drivers, while 2K uses a SYS/DLL combo, so they're not interchangeable. If the plotter itself doesn't need a driver, or it has a proprietary 2k/XP one, it's all down to the software.

[Bryce W]

I have tried getting the proper drivers for the plotters, however there is nothing available above Windows98 SE. These machines are pretty specialised so unfortunately Win2k/XP doesnt have a standard driver built in for them which is why this compatibility tip might be useful.

[Stealth]

If that's the case, only a Win98 machine can help. As I said, drivers from 98 aren't cross-compatible with W2K and XP (or anything with an NT kernel). However, patching it with AutoUpdate might just turn it up enough so it doesn't crash every 5 minutes.

[a1whs.com]

Awsome tip, I have a few clients where most of the PCs in their company are Win2k boxes and they run a some Windows98 boxes to drive the plotters (for some reason the specialise plotter software wont operate on Windows 2000).
Ill have to give this a try next time im over there. :cool:


You can just put windows 98 on their win2k boxes too , so they can just use whichever os they want.

[Bryce W]

Its easier just to run the printer software in compatibility mode :cool: