Kate, I had the exact same problem. I love my old Sierra program--nothing out there now is as good. Here is how we solved my problem. We tricked Sierra to think that it was operating on my old operating system (Windows 95). It took us a couple of days to figure out how to do that. Sorry, but it has been a few years and I can't remember all we had to do. But I do remember the one key item: XP allows you to set up multiple users. Do NOT, repeat--do NOT set up multiple users. By sitting up multiple users, many of the older software program will not run properly--they simply get confused when they encounter that in the XP environment. If you have already installed it with multi users--uninstall it. Then reinstall with a single user. Before you start messing about, make certain you have several good copies of your data base down loaded (successfully). Do that in "ged com" format. There should be sites on the web that can lead you thru that. Since virtually all the family software uses "ged com" formats, should you have to purchase a new family software program, uploading that data base to a new program would be fairly easy. Take a patience pill before you start and good luck. Jo Ann Avery Henderson Higdon formerly of Johnston City Bermuda Dunes, CA