Testing application compatibility with Windows XP Pro

[calvin.miyatake]

We are seriously considering deploying Windows XP Pro to
our customers but want to ensure that "all" our Off the
shelf and custom applications will work on the new XP
Platform. We have Dell hardware (leased) and use over 100
different off the shelf and custom created applications.
We have 4 basic configurations groups of users. All have
a standard image using the O/S, Office 2000, McAfee AV 7x,
Adobe Acrobat Reader 6, Internet Explorer 6, Zip'NGo, Easy
CD Creator 5 Basic. There are other applications on top
of this basic configuration that then comprise the various
configurations groups (i.e. Fire department, Police
Department, Parks and Recreation, City Hall, etc.)

One thought that has been proposed is to load a basic
image (with Windows XP as its OS base) and then install
ALL the application one at a time on top of the basic
image and see what breaks (if it breaks). The conclusion
is that if we see problems it MUST be due to the last
application installed.

Another proposal is to load the basic Windows XP image and
then install the applications for a specific Group and see
how it works then REMOVE and reinstall Windows XP and load
the applications for another Group, etc. etc. The thought
here is to simulate the specific Groups and see how each
works with XP and the applications. The focus is to
eliminate any problems that may crop up from an
application or several applications NOT within the Group
configuration.

Or, is there another way to do this? I'm looking for
suggestions.

Thanks
CTM

 

[Guest]

Sounds like u have covered all bases i would take a
machine and use it as a lab machine install the image u
have and see how it performs if that crashes then resort
to option 1 which was start with a base and then install
each application individually and see where u crash......

 

[Calvin Miyatake]

Thanks for the encouraging words. Appreciate the
confirmation that we're on the right track. Have not done
this before so encouragement or an established methodology
was what I was looking for

CTM