Vista - Installing older software

All of my business files and books are made in MSWorks 4.5 for Windows 95.
The newer versions of Works will not open up these files, so I've been
continuing to use MSWorks 4.5 on my XP computer. I've installed in on my new
Vista computer, but I can't make it run. If I try to open a file, it tries
to open it in Works version 8 which can't open the file. How do I get it to
run MSWorks 4.5?

"Mike Schuler" <Mike Schuler@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:05DDC393-BB36-4347-B1BE-15E451C41E2D@microsoft.com...
> All of my business files and books are made in MSWorks 4.5 for Windows 95.
> The newer versions of Works will not open up these files, so I've been
> continuing to use MSWorks 4.5 on my XP computer. I've installed in on my
> new
> Vista computer, but I can't make it run. If I try to open a file, it
> tries
> to open it in Works version 8 which can't open the file. How do I get it
> to
> run MSWorks 4.5?
I have been running Works 4.5 since it was released years ago,no problem
here on Vista; however.if your files were created in Works 8,I suspect you
will need to install "that" version to open your files.
Rgds

You might try running the program in compatibility mode (right click >
properties > compatibility) with an older OS.

--
Dustin Harper
dharper@vistarip.com
http://www.vistarip.com

--
"Mike Schuler" <Mike Schuler@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:05DDC393-BB36-4347-B1BE-15E451C41E2D@microsoft.com...
> All of my business files and books are made in MSWorks 4.5 for Windows 95.
> The newer versions of Works will not open up these files, so I've been
> continuing to use MSWorks 4.5 on my XP computer. I've installed in on my
> new
> Vista computer, but I can't make it run. If I try to open a file, it
> tries
> to open it in Works version 8 which can't open the file. How do I get it
> to
> run MSWorks 4.5?

ms has a program called
fileformatconverters.exe
on their website for download that may help your situation.
know it helped me in converting word/wordpad docs.

mikeyhsd@sport.rr.commikeyhsd@sport.rr.com

"Mike Schuler" <Mike Schuler@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:05DDC393-BB36-4347-B1BE-15E451C41E2D@microsoft.com...
All of my business files and books are made in MSWorks 4.5 for Windows 95.
The newer versions of Works will not open up these files, so I've been
continuing to use MSWorks 4.5 on my XP computer. I've installed in on my new
Vista computer, but I can't make it run. If I try to open a file, it tries
to open it in Works version 8 which can't open the file. How do I get it to
run MSWorks 4.5?

You missed my point BobC. I also have been using Works 4.5 since it was
first released. I've never used any later version. The later versions will
not open the Works 4.5 files. I've installed Works 4.5 on my new Vista
Computer. I have not yet loaded any of my business files into it yet because
I can not get Works 4.5 to run. No matter what I do to open Works 4.5, the
computer takes over and runs Works 8 in its place.

"BobC" wrote:

>
> "Mike Schuler" <Mike Schuler@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:05DDC393-BB36-4347-B1BE-15E451C41E2D@microsoft.com...
> > All of my business files and books are made in MSWorks 4.5 for Windows 95.
> > The newer versions of Works will not open up these files, so I've been
> > continuing to use MSWorks 4.5 on my XP computer. I've installed in on my
> > new
> > Vista computer, but I can't make it run. If I try to open a file, it
> > tries
> > to open it in Works version 8 which can't open the file. How do I get it
> > to
> > run MSWorks 4.5?
> I have been running Works 4.5 since it was released years ago,no problem
> here on Vista; however.if your files were created in Works 8,I suspect you
> will need to install "that" version to open your files.
> Rgds
>
>

"Mike Schuler" <MikeSchuler@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A19322CA-FDBC-4DE1-B597-A685037BF13C@microsoft.com...
> You missed my point BobC. I also have been using Works 4.5 since it was
> first released. I've never used any later version. The later versions
> will
> not open the Works 4.5 files. I've installed Works 4.5 on my new Vista
> Computer. I have not yet loaded any of my business files into it yet
> because
> I can not get Works 4.5 to run. No matter what I do to open Works 4.5,
> the
> computer takes over and runs Works 8 in its place.

Key word is "new Vista Computer" Works 8 is on the PC and was installed by
the OEM.

.http://groups.google.com/group/micro...681cb59Perhaps the attched link will assist you.

You'll have to uninstall Works 8. At this point you'll probably have to
uninstall both Works 4.5 and Works 8 then reinstall Works 4.5 to get the
file associations set. You could also try right clicking on a file to open
it. Pick Open with and browse to the Works 4.5 executable file.

--
Kerry Brown
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
http://www.vistahelp.ca


"Mike Schuler" <MikeSchuler@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A19322CA-FDBC-4DE1-B597-A685037BF13C@microsoft.com...
> You missed my point BobC. I also have been using Works 4.5 since it was
> first released. I've never used any later version. The later versions
> will
> not open the Works 4.5 files. I've installed Works 4.5 on my new Vista
> Computer. I have not yet loaded any of my business files into it yet
> because
> I can not get Works 4.5 to run. No matter what I do to open Works 4.5,
> the
> computer takes over and runs Works 8 in its place.
>
> "BobC" wrote:
>
>>
>> "Mike Schuler" <Mike Schuler@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:05DDC393-BB36-4347-B1BE-15E451C41E2D@microsoft.com...
>> > All of my business files and books are made in MSWorks 4.5 for Windows
>> > 95.
>> > The newer versions of Works will not open up these files, so I've been
>> > continuing to use MSWorks 4.5 on my XP computer. I've installed in on
>> > my
>> > new
>> > Vista computer, but I can't make it run. If I try to open a file, it
>> > tries
>> > to open it in Works version 8 which can't open the file. How do I get
>> > it
>> > to
>> > run MSWorks 4.5?
>> I have been running Works 4.5 since it was released years ago,no problem
>> here on Vista; however.if your files were created in Works 8,I suspect
>> you
>> will need to install "that" version to open your files.
>> Rgds
>>
>>

I created a desktop shortcut icon for the execution file, and now I car run
Works 4.5, but now there's another problem. When I work on a word processor
file at home on this new Vista computer, and click 'save,' it saves it with a
'.doc' file extension instead of '.wps' I emailed it to my office computer
at work, but I already know that Works 4.5 can't read a .doc file. If it
does open it, it won't be arranged the way I want it so I can print it.

I've also found that my $2,500 FlexiSign program wont run on Vista at all.
This really sucks. I want a computer that does what I tell it to do. I
don't want a computer telling me what to do. I'm calling CompUSA tomorrow
and see if they know how to take the Vista out of this thing and put XP in.
Otherwise, I've got a brand new computer for sale, and I'm looking for an XP
model that's not too old.

"Kerry Brown" wrote:

> You'll have to uninstall Works 8. At this point you'll probably have to
> uninstall both Works 4.5 and Works 8 then reinstall Works 4.5 to get the
> file associations set. You could also try right clicking on a file to open
> it. Pick Open with and browse to the Works 4.5 executable file.
>
> --
> Kerry Brown
> Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
> http://www.vistahelp.ca
>
>
> "Mike Schuler" <MikeSchuler@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A19322CA-FDBC-4DE1-B597-A685037BF13C@microsoft.com...
> > You missed my point BobC. I also have been using Works 4.5 since it was
> > first released. I've never used any later version. The later versions
> > will
> > not open the Works 4.5 files. I've installed Works 4.5 on my new Vista
> > Computer. I have not yet loaded any of my business files into it yet
> > because
> > I can not get Works 4.5 to run. No matter what I do to open Works 4.5,
> > the
> > computer takes over and runs Works 8 in its place.
> >
> > "BobC" wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> "Mike Schuler" <Mike Schuler@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:05DDC393-BB36-4347-B1BE-15E451C41E2D@microsoft.com...
> >> > All of my business files and books are made in MSWorks 4.5 for Windows
> >> > 95.
> >> > The newer versions of Works will not open up these files, so I've been
> >> > continuing to use MSWorks 4.5 on my XP computer. I've installed in on
> >> > my
> >> > new
> >> > Vista computer, but I can't make it run. If I try to open a file, it
> >> > tries
> >> > to open it in Works version 8 which can't open the file. How do I get
> >> > it
> >> > to
> >> > run MSWorks 4.5?
> >> I have been running Works 4.5 since it was released years ago,no problem
> >> here on Vista; however.if your files were created in Works 8,I suspect
> >> you
> >> will need to install "that" version to open your files.
> >> Rgds
> >>
> >>
>
>

If you have critical applications that don't support Vista then you are
right, Vista is not for you. The problem is not with Vista but with the
applications you are using. Your complaint is like buying a car that runs on
diesel then complaining that when you put gasoline in the tank it doesn't
work. If you have critical applications then you match the OS to them. If
you have a critical OS then you match your applications to it.

--
Kerry Brown
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
http://www.vistahelp.ca


"Mike Schuler" <MikeSchuler@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5F3DFEEA-D826-4F03-9374-10E7C0527A86@microsoft.com...
>I created a desktop shortcut icon for the execution file, and now I car run
> Works 4.5, but now there's another problem. When I work on a word
> processor
> file at home on this new Vista computer, and click 'save,' it saves it
> with a
> '.doc' file extension instead of '.wps' I emailed it to my office
> computer
> at work, but I already know that Works 4.5 can't read a .doc file. If it
> does open it, it won't be arranged the way I want it so I can print it.
>
> I've also found that my $2,500 FlexiSign program wont run on Vista at all.
> This really sucks. I want a computer that does what I tell it to do. I
> don't want a computer telling me what to do. I'm calling CompUSA tomorrow
> and see if they know how to take the Vista out of this thing and put XP
> in.
> Otherwise, I've got a brand new computer for sale, and I'm looking for an
> XP
> model that's not too old.
>
> "Kerry Brown" wrote:
>
>> You'll have to uninstall Works 8. At this point you'll probably have to
>> uninstall both Works 4.5 and Works 8 then reinstall Works 4.5 to get the
>> file associations set. You could also try right clicking on a file to
>> open
>> it. Pick Open with and browse to the Works 4.5 executable file.
>>
>> --
>> Kerry Brown
>> Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
>> http://www.vistahelp.ca
>>
>>
>> "Mike Schuler" <MikeSchuler@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:A19322CA-FDBC-4DE1-B597-A685037BF13C@microsoft.com...
>> > You missed my point BobC. I also have been using Works 4.5 since it
>> > was
>> > first released. I've never used any later version. The later versions
>> > will
>> > not open the Works 4.5 files. I've installed Works 4.5 on my new Vista
>> > Computer. I have not yet loaded any of my business files into it yet
>> > because
>> > I can not get Works 4.5 to run. No matter what I do to open Works 4.5,
>> > the
>> > computer takes over and runs Works 8 in its place.
>> >
>> > "BobC" wrote:
>> >
>> >>
>> >> "Mike Schuler" <Mike Schuler@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> >> message
>> >> news:05DDC393-BB36-4347-B1BE-15E451C41E2D@microsoft.com...
>> >> > All of my business files and books are made in MSWorks 4.5 for
>> >> > Windows
>> >> > 95.
>> >> > The newer versions of Works will not open up these files, so I've
>> >> > been
>> >> > continuing to use MSWorks 4.5 on my XP computer. I've installed in
>> >> > on
>> >> > my
>> >> > new
>> >> > Vista computer, but I can't make it run. If I try to open a file,
>> >> > it
>> >> > tries
>> >> > to open it in Works version 8 which can't open the file. How do I
>> >> > get
>> >> > it
>> >> > to
>> >> > run MSWorks 4.5?
>> >> I have been running Works 4.5 since it was released years ago,no
>> >> problem
>> >> here on Vista; however.if your files were created in Works 8,I suspect
>> >> you
>> >> will need to install "that" version to open your files.
>> >> Rgds
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

I'm told that Dell is still supplying XP on their computers if you go
into their Business section and not into the general one.

We are also finding users with VISTA factory installed laptops are
having difficulty if they want to revert back to XP -- yes they can buy
a retail copy of XP but they may find the laptop maker is not posting
any drivers or utilities for XP on that model of their laptop.