Getting older programs to work on XP

I am trying to load this software program 'PC Paintbrush' onto windows xp. the program was made for windows 95, i do believe, but its a great paint program, and i would make good use of it. Problem is, it appears to load right when i install it, but then when its all done, and i go to click on the shortcut, or try to click on it from the program list, it says 'ZSOFT381.DRV' not found, or not enough memory''. I tried to download that file from the internet, but once i have it, i put the file in the PBWIN folder where the program and all the program files seem to be, but it still gives me the same message. Is there any remedy for this, am i putting the file in the wrong spot, or is it just not compatible? Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

start-all programs-accessories-program compatibility wizard.

 

compatability wizard

i tried the compatability wizard, and when it tried to run the program from cdrom and from C:\pbwin, the same message popped up, that it couldnt find that file.

 

W95 made extensive use of the Windows\System folder, terror.

Slap a copy of the file in there and try again.

Google found this conversation:

Might be that the upgrade (although it's not exactly the same program) will work for you.

 

still nothing

thanks, wiz. I tried that, put the file right in the systems folder, and still it says its not found. I did a search for the file right after, by right clicking on start then search, and i put the file name in, and the search brought up nothing, even though im sure its there. I dont know why this is happening. If i can find some other product comparable to it, maybe thats the way to go.

 

Hmm, try going to System Properties, Advanced, Environment Variables, and add C:\windows\system to the path variable.

Make sure that file is still in C:\windows\system.

 

terror, I hope you come back and pursue this 'til it's resolved one way or t'other. It's a puzzle to me, too, and I'd like to see it solved.

 

tried everything

i tried everything that everyone reccomended, and it still cant find the file(s). Im almost ready to dig out my old PC from the closet and just hook it up to use this program, thats how useful it was/is. Thanks for the advice, everyone. If this is ever solved, i will come back and post the results.

 

I've also got this problem with zsoft381.drv on XP. I believe this is a ploy to make people buy something newer except there is nothing even close to being as good as Zsoft Paintbrush. I've tried all the expensive programs like Adobe Illustrator in various versions, I have .9, they stink compared to Paintbrush and as far as I know there is nothing on the market as good. I found zsoft381.drv on my computer and I have a 100GB so the memory isn't a problem. The warning says, either zsoft381.drv isn't there or the memory isn't enough. I also downloaded another zsoft381.drv file but that didn't help either...anyone find anything at all. I'm sorry I got XP, Windows 98 was better...but some of the other things I bought won't run unless I have XP...can anyone say "scam". If anyone does find a solution, although IO do believe there isn't one, please contact me at rickrayband@hotmail.com

 

Yeah, I can say scam, but that's not what it is; it's an older problem with select versions of graphics programs that want to do things in a non-standard way.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;97802

http://www.image-formats.com/pcx.htm

 

Did you perform the actual installation in compatibility mode, or just enabled it for the .exe once it was installed?

 

Yes, sometimes you need to use Compatibility Mode on the install file so it changes the location of system files it installs.

XP uses System 32, so older programs don't install properly if you don't.

 

Maybe for Paintbrush

I can't think of another reason.

 

I'm sorry I even posted after seeing how old this thread is. (it's Star17's and Adrynalyne's faults )

Let it rest in peace unless the author wants otherwise.

 

I wasn't aware of installing things in compatibility mode, how do you get to that or does it automatically show up when installing?

 

Right click the installer, then properties, then Compatibility Mode, then choose your settings.

If one version of Windows or setting doesn't work, try another.

 

I'd say use a virtual PC on XP and run a win98 on it.
You can download a trial version at MS.

 

foogoo has something there.

Actually... having a paint program (PC Paintbrush v1 1993)...
I did a bit of research on this in the past.

The program doesn't actually operate in a DOS mode.
So that isn't the problem.

So first... What ZSOFT381.DRV is:
From the Microsoft web site
"ZSoft PhotoFinish, Corel Corporation's Photo-Paint, and Publisher's Paintbrush,..
all use the device driver ZSOFT381.DRV to perform screen writes.
ZSOFT381.DRV communicates directly with the video adapter,..
making it incompatible with the Windows NT operating system.
Until Windows NT drivers are designed for these programs,..
none of them will work under Windows NT."

I think that would include 2000/XP as well.

Personally... I don't know the word can't.
But until someone can write a new ZSOFT381.DRV file for NT/2000/XP systems...
I think anybody with older paint programs are stuck running them on ME or later operating systems.

The main reason why I duel boot 98SE and XP is for wide software compatibility.