Q&A
Not all software is compatible with XP

By Kim Komando
Gannett News Service

Q. I use QuickBooks 5. If I upgrade to Windows XP, can I still use it?

A. If you are using an earlier Windows system, download the XP Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft. This program will tell you if your hardware and software will run on XP.

Download it at: www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp.

Sometimes, the manufacturer can tell you.

But in this case, Intuit says it has not tested QuickBooks 5 on XP. It says that this version was released in 1996 and was designed for Windows 95.

Q. Will I have trouble playing online games through my ZoneAlarm firewall?

A. ZoneAlarm will prompt you for permission to use the game's files. Say yes. You will also have to tell the firewall to let the online server connect to your computer.

In ZoneAlarm, right-click the icon in the taskbar. Click Restore ZoneAlarm Control Center. On the ZoneAlarm window, click Firewall. Click the Zones tab.

Click Add and IP Address. In the Zone dropdown box, select Trusted. Enter the IP address of the online server. You may have to get the address from the game site. Click OK and close the window.

Reach Kim Komando through www.komando.com.