Testing guidelines

Apr 18, 2007 15:47 GMT  ·  By

Windows Vista is built in a manner that ensures compatibility with legacy Windows XP and Windows 2003 Server, including the associated service packs. However, one of the areas that Windows Vista was hurt is in fact the compatibility and support. Following the general availability of the operating system on January 30, 2006, users have found that some of the applications that they used on a daily basis on Windows XP failed to install or run properly on Windows Vista.

Despite sharing code with both XP and Windows Server 2003, Vista brings a suite of technology enhancements to the table and in some cases the application compatibility was traded-off. Vista home users are impacted the least by this, the major problems are faced by system administrators.

This is why, the Enterprise Platforms Support Windows Server Performance team has put together a 30 minute Windows Vista application compatibility checklist. According to the team, there are two fundamental Vista application compatibility scenarios that were addressed.

Users should understand that this methodology is valid for both corporate and home testing. Except for a small detail such as a testing machine. Obviously, home users will have to use their own PC for the tests.

Additionally, the Enterprise Platforms Support Windows Server Performance team talks about the Windows XP SP2 compatibility mode. In order to access the Windows XP SP2 compatibility mode simply right click an application and select Properties from the contextual menu. Next choose the Compatibility tab and here you have to check the box next to the Run this program in compatibility mode for: and also select the Windows version you prefer.

The first involves a clean installation of the operating system.

1. Install Windows Vista on a test machine. 2. Install the application on Windows Vista. If a prompt is displayed requesting permission to installation the application, click Permit and continue. If installation succeeds, go to step 6. 3.If the application installation failed and no installation permission prompt was displayed, then right-click the installer EXE and choose Run this program as administrator and re-install the application. If the install succeeds, go to step 6. Note: This step is not necessary if an MSI package is used to install the Application 4. If you receive any errors, such as OS version, CLSID registration, or file copy, then right-click the installer EXE file, choose the Compatibility tab, and choose the Windows XP SP2 compatibility mode. 5. Go back to step 2. If you cannot install the application, go to step 9. 6. The application should now be installed. 7. Launch the application. If the application did not launch properly or if errors are displayed, apply the Windows XP SP2 compatibility mode to the application EXE and try again. 8. If the application launches successfully, run through the full suite of tests that would typically be used to test the application on Windows XP. Verify your application functionality and confirm that the application performs properly. If all major functionality tests pass, go to step 10. 9. If the application does not install, launch successfully, crashes, encounters an error, or fails major functionality tests, then the application may be impacted by the changes made in Windows Vista.

The second testing scenario involves an upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista.

1. Install Windows XP SP2 on a test machine and then install the application. Verify all the functionality of the application before proceeding. 2. Upgrade the test machine to Windows Vista. Follow the Windows Vista setup and upgrade instructions. Once the upgrade is complete, log on as you would on Windows XP. 3. Launch the application. If the application did not launch properly or if errors are displayed, apply the Windows XP SP2 compatibility mode to the application EXE and try again. 4. If the application launches successfully, run through the full suite of tests that would typically be used to test the application on Windows XP. Verify your application functionality and confirm that the application performs properly. If all major functionality tests pass, go to step 6. 5. If the application does not launch successfully, crashes, encounters an error, or fails major functionality tests, then the application may be impacted by the changes made in Windows Vista.

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