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1. 2008-08-22 07:32

ReactOS Support Database > Compatibility > Help & FAQ

ReactOS Software and Hardware Compatibility Database.

Help & FAQ

Content

• FAQ
  • com·pat·i·ble, adj.
  • Compatibility Database FAQ
• Symbols
  • Awards
  • Other Medals
  • Stars
• Help
  • Browse through the database
  • Submit Application/Driver (3 Steps)
    • Step 1 - general information
    • Step 2 - version information
    • Step 3 - test results & screenshots

FAQ

com·pat·i·ble, adj.

• Capable of existing or performing in harmonious, agreeable, or congenial combination with another or others: compatible family relationships.
• Capable of orderly, efficient integration and operation with other elements in a system with no modification or conversion required.

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Compatibility Database FAQ

This FAQ answers questions related to the usage of the Compatibility Database.

Q: What is the Compatibility Database?

A: The Compatibility Database is a repository for application and driver compatibility information with ReactOS. In particular it provides the following information:

• Whether a given application works at all with ReactOS.
• If it is partially working, then which areas of the application have problems.
• How to install and get that application working best.
• The Compatibility Database is for release versions of ReactOS, use Bugzilla for development builds. [more]

Q: What is ReactOS?

A: More information can be found at the What is ReactOS? and at the User FAQ pages.

Q: What are the benefits of this Compatibility Database?

A: The Compatibility Database benefits both ReactOS developers and users. It lets ReactOS developers know which applications regressed. And it lets ReactOS user know if their application will work in ReactOS.

Q: How does a new application get added to the database?

A: Every registered user can submit new applications or driver, version information, test reports, etc.

Q: How can I submit test reports of unstable ReactOS versions?

A: The Compatibility Database is for release versions of ReactOS, use Bugzilla for development builds. [more]

Q: How can I submit Screenshots?

A: Click on the "submit screenshot" (or similar) link on the related page.

Q: How can I submit How-to's?

A: This feature is currently not available. Please use the forum/comment function for the meanwhile.

Q: What do the different color awards and medals mean?

A: They indicate different levels of functionality in ReactOS. Go here for more information.

Q: Why isn't my favorite Windows application in the database?

A: Probably because no one has submitted it to the database yet. We'd love it if you would submit the application to the database.

Q: If I don't see a Windows application in the database, does that mean that it won't run in ReactOS?

A: Not necessarily. Many applications work perfectly in ReactOS without any modification whatsoever. However, we may simply not be aware of them. So, just because an application isn't in our database doesn't mean that your application won't run. We'd love it if you would submit the application to the database.

Q: If I don't see my favorite application here, what's the easiest way to find out if it will run in ReactOS or not?

A: Download ReactOS and find out. That is by far the fastest, easiest way to answer this question. Regardless of whether the answer is "yes" or "no", we'd love it if you would submit the application to the database.

Q: Are there any Windows applications that you can't get working in ReactOS?

A: In a later version of ReactOS, you will be able to run almost all Win32 applications and all WinNT 3+ driver.

Q: Is it possible to run Linux applications in ReactOS?

A: In a later version of ReactOS, you will be able to run almost all posix compatible linux/unix/bsd applications with the ReactOS posix subsystem.

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Symbols

Awards

Platinum	Gold	Silver	Bronze

• Platinum Award: Applications and drivers which run better (e.g. more stable, faster, better graphic, etc.) in ReactOS than in Microsoft Windows(TM).
• Gold Award: Applications and drivers which install and run virtually flawless on a out-of-the-box ReactOS installation.
• Silver Award: Applications and drivers which we hope we can easily fix so they make it to Gold status.
• Bronze Award: Applications and drivers which works with some minor problems/bugs.

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Other Medals

Honorable Mention	Untested	Known not to work

• Honorable Mention: Applications and drivers which run well enough to be usable. However it has enough bugs to prevent it from running flawlessly.
• Untested: Applications and drivers where no compatibility data is stored in the database.
• Known not to work: Applications and drivers which do not install/run on a out-of-the-box ReactOS installation.

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Stars

Application function

• 5/5 = works fantastic
• 4/5 = works good, minor bugs
• 3/5 = works with bugs
• 2/5 = major bugs
• 1/5 = does not work, or crash while start phase

(Un-)Installation routine

• 5/5 = works fantastic or no install routine
• 4/5 = works good, minor bugs
• 3/5 = works with bugs
• 2/5 = major bugs
• 1/5 = does not work, or crash while start phase

Rating / Voting

• 5/5 = fantastic
• 4/5 = good
• 3/5 = okay
• 2/5 = boring / uninteresting
• 1/5 = bad / spam

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Help

Browse through the database

You can browse the Compatibility Database by Category, Applicationname, Vendor , Rank and search by query.
Click on the related button on the frontpage or use the search function, the Compatibility Database starts returning results before you finish typing.

If you want to browse even faster then this hint is for you:

• Press [Alt] + [s] keys and start typing an application name (or parts of it). While you typing you see a real-time results in the search box (menu bar, left side).
• Press [Tab] several times to select the entry you want to view.
• Press [Shift] + [Tab] to go the inverted way and a select the entry above the current selected entry
• Press [Enter] to open the selected entry.

This methode is useable on all ReactOS Compatibility Database pages.

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Submit Application/Driver in 3 Steps

• Step 1: submit general information
  • application name
  • short decription
  • category
  • vendor

• Step 2: submit version information
  • application version
  • ReactOS version

• Step 3: submit test results & screenshots
  • What works
  • What does not work
  • Describe what you have tested and what not
  • Application function
  • Installation routine
  • Conclusion

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Step 1

To submit a new application (e.g. "AbiWord"):

1. Click on the "Submit Application" link in the menu bar (left side; on every page).
2. Input the application/driver name.
3. Follow the instructions (see screenshot).

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Step 2

To submit an application versions information (e.g. "AbiWord 2.2"):

1. Browse to the application (group entry).
2. Click on the "Submit new 'AbiWord' version" link.
3. Follow the instructions (see screenshot).

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Step 3

To submit an application test report (e.g. "AbiWord 2.2 tested in ReactOS 0.3.0"):

1. Browse to the application versions entry.
2. Click on the "Submit Compatibility Test Report" link.
3. Follow the instructions (see screenshot).

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