Rapidly Ahead Help File:
Windows 7's XP Mode; surge protector lifestyle spans Washington Post Employees Writer
Sunday,
Windows 7 Pro, February 28,
Office 2010 Key, 2010
A: It really is undoubtedly 1 of your much more high-priced ways -- and also you may not want it at all simply because most XP plans operate good in Win seven.
You'll be able to verify the position of personal plans at But even applications detailed as requiring an upgrade may well run normally in Microsoft's new running method beneath its "compatibility mode" (type "troubleshoot" in the Control Panel's search box to get to Win 7's Program Compatibility Troubleshooter).
If, however, you have old applications that have been abandoned by their developers and won't run beneath 7 below any condition, then you may have to resort to XP Mode.
This feature ( is available only with Microsoft's a lot more expensive Professional and Ultimate editions of 7. To use it, you download and install two files that will leave you with a separate copy of XP that runs inside its own window. (You don't need to have your own XP disc.)
Running two copies of Windows on the same program will require a lot more disk space (which a new computer usually has plenty of) and memory (which it should but may not).
The surge protectors I use for the computer, TV, stereo,
Windows 7 Serial, DVD player and so on are all at least 10 to 15 years old. Should I replace them?
Most newer surge protectors have a light to indicate if the device can still do its job (APC,
Office 2010 Professional, for instance, usually labels this indicator "Protection Working"). But if yours doesn't have that sort of tell-tale LED, there's no easy way to tell. Your surge protector may well function only as a power strip after taking enough punches for your electronics.
So after that many years, I would assume the surge protector has lost its effectiveness and should be replaced.
Rob Pegoraro attempts to untangle computing conundrums and errant electronics each week. Send questions to The Washington Submit, 1150 15th St. NW,
Windows 7 Serial, Washington, D.C. 20071 or robp@washpost.com. Visit his Faster Ahead blog.