Downgrading to Me

[tbalazs]

A friend wants her XP Pro downgraded to WinMe because there are several games she has that won't play on XP (particularly The Sims).

Is there a way of getting them to play on XP Pro?
Can Me be installed over XP so as to preserve data and the installed programs?

Thanks,
Tony.
x-posted to WinMe forum

 

[34534534534555]

Downgrading is a very bad idea. Firslty ME is a rubbish OS, it has memory leaking problems, stability issues to name but a few.

I know of no way to install ME over XP (unless you performed an upgrade install from ME and archived all the ME data), i would suggest you have to perform a clean install. (which is always the best option for a new OS) .

Why won't the games play? What are the symptoms / problems?


| Feedback is always appreciated as this will help to further our knowledge as well |

 

[tbalazs]

Well yes, Me is terrible, but that's what she wants and she's paying me! I know that The Sims specifically states that's it's 98SE/Me compatible (maybe 95) and that's it. It won't run on Win2k or XP. Not sure about other games.

 

[nriesen]

Go to EA website, i am assuming thats who makes SIMS. There has to be a patch for the game. I had SIMS installed my my XP home machine, and i cant imagine why it wouldnt work on pro. A lot of gamers that i know run pro and have no problems.
Find the patch

 

[nriesen]

http://eatech.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/eatech.cfg/php/enduser/cci/home.php

 

[craigey]

If she really wants a downgrade, then go for 98. It's the most stable Windows OS after 2000, and XP. If you install Me, you'll end up having more requests for help.

 

[linney]

307091 - Certain Programs Do Not Work Correctly If You Log On Using a Limited User Account

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307091&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

285909 - How to Troubleshoot Program Compatibility Issues in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;285909&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

HOW TO: Create a Multiple-Boot System in Windows XP (Q306559)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q306/5/59.asp

If you are committed to removing XP and installing ME you will have to manually back up your data and then format the harddrive and install ME from scratch.

 

[RWild]

This is a really strange problem. My family has four computers in our house.

The Family One. Outdated. Running Win98. Basic Function is for family internet access.

I then have three that belong to myself. Two desktops in my room and one laptop.

Desktop 1:Runs XP Home
Desktop 2:Runs XP Pro
Laptop: Runs XP Pro

The Sims wasn't running on our Win98 Computer as the computer is rather old and outdated.

It's my sister's favorite game, so it was one of those things where she HAD to install it on one of my computers.

So I let her...It didn't work. So I tried in on my other desktop.

Here's my analysis.

WinXP has the compatibility feature, use it for XP Pro, but the Sims should work fine on XP Home, at least in our case it did.

Hopefully I helped a little.

 

[RWild]

Oh I forgot to mention. I wouldn't recommend downgrading to ME. It's a faulty OS. At least, if you MUST downgrade to 98 like another person said.

Well good luck with the problem

 

[tbalazs]

Thank you RWild and others. I will try the compatibility feature. The Sims definitely didn't run on my Win2k box. Perhaps Win98 compatibility in XP Pro will solve it.
Tony.