Help installing the 16-bit character editor in Windows XP?

Special help files for installing the Microsoft Chat Character Editor for Windows XP users

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This page updated: 15 May 2024

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If you have Windows XP installed and are having trouble
getting the Microsoft Comic Chat Character Editor to work properly,
you are NOT alone!

This page is written to resolve issues that arise between the
Comic Chat Character Editor and Windows XP.

If you already have the Comic Chat Character Editor
installed on your Windows XP machine, you must first
uninstall the editor and reboot before you can procede.

Microsoft has provided a small application tool on the Windows XP installation
disk called 'APCOMPAT.exe'. It isn't installed to your computer. One just has to
know that it's there on the CD disk. The utility's function is more like an 'emulator'
for older PC programs. (Though Microsoft falls short of calling it an emulator).

In order for the installation of the 'Comic Chat Character Editor' to be successful,
one must first uninstall the Editor, (and reboot), if it has already been installed
the regular way.

LQQK ! Then one MUST use the 'Application Compatibility' tool to not only install
the program, but then one MUST use the 'Application Compatibility' tool to run the
program for the very very first time. One cannot run the Character Editor the first
time using the regular 'Character Editor' shortcut link! . . . This is very very important!

For those who didnt get a WinXP disk with their computer, the APCOMPAT.exe program is also
provided in a ZIP package located for download at the bottom of this page.

(The following graphics were setup and screen captured by KellieZ:)

To Begin:

1. Open the 'APCOMPAT' tool.
2. Then use the browse button in the 'APCOMPAT' screen to find the 'Character Editor' installation file stored on your computer.
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Chat Character Editor\CCedit.exe
3. Then look at the graphic below and set it up by checking the boxes you see checked in the graphic.

4. Click 'OK' and let the program install the 'Character Editor'.

Once the 'Character Editor' is installed, One must reboot!
After rebooting, then one must run the 'Character Editor'
for the very first time using the 'APCOMPAT' utility.

If this rule is not followed, you have to uninstall the Character Editor
..reboot..
and start all over again!

After your installation of the Character Editor and rebooting,
Restart the 'APCOMPAT' program and set it up as per the graphic seen below:

This time one browses to the actual 'Character Editor' program file 'CCEDIT.EXE'.
Check the boxes the same as they are checked in the graphic below.
Then click 'OK'

Program First Run Screen

This will actually start the Character Editor and make it run as if
it is within a system it is compatible to.
Once you close the programs and reboot, you may then use the regular
'Comic Character Editor' program short cut to start the Editor.

You are finished and ready to 'Rock and Roll'!

Explanations and Instructions are located within this Zipped download file.

Related Links:

How Can I Run an Older Windows Program?