Troubleshooting Hardware & Software Compatibility Issues on Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

  • Article

Introduction

Compatibility could be due to problems with software or hardware. Follow these steps to troubleshoot your compatibility issues.

Important Tip

If you are using Windows 8 Developer, Consumer or Release Previews,  please perform either a clean install or upgrade to the RTM release of Windows 8 Version 6.2 (Build 9200). Windows 8.1 released to the public and if you are running Windows 8, it is strongly recommended to upgrade to Windows 8.1 through Windows Store.

 

Solution

During Windows 8 setup, If you receive an error which indicates that your CPU is not compatible, you must modify the BIOS setting to enable No eXecute bit or disable eXecute .  To access your BIOS settings, you should refer to your PC manufacturer’s technical reference.   Common BIOS access keys include  ESC, F1, F11, F12, etc to boot into many PC BIOS settings.   This setting should be located under the Security\Advance tab on most BIOS settings under any of the following parameters such as:

  • No Execute Memory Protect
  • Execute Disabled Memory Protection
  • EDB (Execute Disabled Bit)
  • EVP (Enhanced Virus Protection)

If you are not sure about change the BIOS, it is recommended to visit your PC manufacturer’s website support or forum and post your question along with model of your PC and ask about enable this setting. In some cases, you might need to update your BIOS.

  1. Connect your devices and open Windows Update and let it run and check for update and install all update and then restart your PC, many of drivers or compatibility issues will address by Windows Update. If there was any update download and install them and then restart your PC.
  2. If there wasn't any update, then check Windows compatibility center and search your device and see compatibility status of your device there.
  3. If your device wasn't listed there, check Action Center in control panel some compatibility issue could explained there.
  4. Right click on application and chose check for compatibility, it will helps you to resolve many of compatibility issues through step by step solution.
  5. Download latest version for software or hardware from their website that is compatible with Windows 7 or other version of Windows . if there is no driver for Windows 8 . However, majority of applications and hardware that runs in Windows 7 should run in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 .
  6. If windows detect issue and ask to report it send report and even it take long time please wait for a while to process be done.
  7. Try uninstalling software and restarting your PC and then installing latest version of software.
  8. If above solutions didn’t work, try contacting software or hardware manufacturer support and reporting this or just post issue in their forums.