game install question

[raftero]

i have british open championship golf game,i had it installed on windows 98,when i upgraded to windows w2k it will not install says not install in nt,now i understand that but i just for kicks tried it on my xp pro(which i believe is also nt based)and it installed.is there an explanation for that?

[morriswindgate]

From my understanding, when Microsoft developed XP it was with the idea to get back to one operating system for both home and business. As such they had to add the compatability for certain home type software, including gaming. Win2k on the other hand was developed as a business software, that if I remember right was promoted with the fact that many non-business (ie: non - productive) applications would not run or it could be configured not to run them.
It is also my understanding that Win2k can be configured or updated to run these apps.

[raftero]

thanks,now does anyone know how to explain in simple terms(i'm pretty new to computers)how to configure w2k to accept the game(by the way it wouldn't accept my wifes digital camera install )said the same thing.

[Tuf]

I don't think Microsoft purposefully coded 2000 to not run software. The software is generally made before 2000 was released or not coded to work with 2000. Win 2000 is not supposed to allow programs to change system files, which is how a lot of 9X programs work. XP is more compatible it also does a good job of protecting sytem files but will still try to run 9X software. Sometimes with success, sometimes it will require a patch from the maker if available.

The service packs for 2000 do help make it more compatible but even with the more than one thousand changes service pack three makes it will never be as adept at handling older programs as XP.

[raftero]

thanks much for the information,i really like w2k but i guess it does have its drawbacks.