J
Jeffrey L. Hook
Can anyone help with a problem which may result from a software conflict?
This could have been
caused by one or more recent Windows Update downloads.
I was first unable to open additional Works 7.0 word processing files
yesterday while I was writing in one such file. This was immediately after
I'd downloaded and installed three updates from the Microsoft Windows Update
Web site. Two of those three updates related to printing, which may suggest
they caused this word processing file problem. I'd been recording the
details of my Windows Update "transaction" in a Works 7.0 word processing
file while I was visiting the site. I was able to continue working in that
file (it didn't crash), but I wasn't able to open other files which had been
saved and closed previously. After I closed the file in which I'd been
working when I installed the updates, I wasn't able to open it immediately
again in Works. I can open that file, and all my other Works 7.0 word
processing files in NotePad now, but NotePad adds an extra
space for each keystroke in Works' formatted text, and the text expands
laterally. I've pasted a small sample of the NotePad text below my
signature, with the extra spaces removed. Of course, NotePad's only
suitable for limited purposes..
An old copy of Microsoft Word97, in the Professional Version of Microsoft
Office 97, is able to open many of my WPS files in Word97, particularly if I
use the "Open with" option in the context menus of the Works 7.0 files.
They're displayed nicely in Word 97, with my desired formatting, but Word 97
often tells me that it can't open these files. (Works' word processor has
all the features I require, and it's too bad I experience such problems with
it. I guess the exposure I'm getting to Word will tend to "wean" me of
Works' word processor once and for all. I may be forced to admit that
Works' word processor simply is a sub-standard application, but, for the
moment, I'd like to regain access to my extremely large collection of such
files. I regret entrusting so much content to such an unreliable
application...)
I've pasted some information about my use of word processing files below my
signature. I suspect my use is unusual. Works seems to be a limited,
simplified application, so I assume I may have asked too much of it, but the
close association of my current problem with the Windows Update
printing-related downloads strongly suggests a causal relationship.
One of the two printing-related Windows Updates was said to enhance Windows
XP Home's own "printing" capability, and the other seemed to be a type of
"patch" for my Dell Laser Printer 1100, the down-market monochromatic laser
printer which seems to have been made for Dell by Samsung. The first update
was offered as a "critical update," and the printer software was offered as
an optional hardware upgrade. The hardware upgrade was said to have been
published by Dell in December of last year.
I believe the Windows Update Site may have "killed" an Epson color inkjet
printer of mine several years ago, also by providing an "updated driver"
which I installed. I was therefore highly suspicious yesterday when I saw
that another printer "driver" was being offered. I checked at Dell's site,
and I found their most recent full-sized device driver was published last
November. It was also much larger than the 2 MB update which Microsoft
offered. I only decided to accept the Microsoft updates after lengthy
consideration. I reasoned that the operating system's "printing upgrade"
might be desirable, or even necessary, and I also assumed that the printer
software might require an update to remain compatible with the augmented
operating system.
I'd only attempted to use XP's System Restore once before, in four years,
and it failed to restore my system to any of six prior points. Only a day
or two before yesterday I cut its space allocation to the minimum necessary,
200 MB. I made my second attempt to use System Restore yesterday, but it
once more failed to return my system to either of two prior states.
I uninstalled Works 7.0 and then reinstalled it, but that had no effect.
From the start, I've been able to open a few Works 7.0 word processing files
in their own application after I reboot the system, but I soon find I can't
open any more. That "changing" nature of this problem seems weird.
I'm operating the Home Edition of Windows XP with SP2 (Build 2600) on a
4-year-old, ultra-low-end Gateway 300S tower-type desktop system unit, with
an 80 GB single-partition HD, 512 MB DDR SDRAM, IE 7 and Outlook Express
6.0, and
Symantec's Internet Security 2007.
Thanks to anyone who can help!
Jeff Hook
NJ, USA (More information's below: )
This is the summary of the three downloads which I obtained from the Windows
Update site shortly after noon yesterday:
++++++++++++++++++
Install Updates Download size (total)
: 6.5 MB
Estimated time at your connection speed: less than 1 minute
High-priority updates Microsoft Windows XP
Update for Windows XP (KB934238)
Download size: 3.6 MB , less than 1 minute
This update contains improvements to the printing components on your system
and to the Microsoft XPS Document Writer. After you install this item, you
may have to restart your computer. Once you have installed this item, it
cannot be removed.
--------------------------------------
Optional software updates
Microsoft Windows XP
Update for Microsoft Core XML Services
(MSXML) 6.0 Service Pack 1 (KB934268)
Download size: 898 KB , less than 1 minute
MSXML 6.0 Service Pack 1 (MSXML6.1) has improved reliability, security,
conformance with the XML 1.0 and XML Schema 1.0 W3C Recommendations, and
compatibility with System.Xml 2.0. After you install this item, you may have
to restart your computer.
--------------------------------------
Optional hardware updates
DELL Dell Laser Printer 1100
DELL - Printing - Dell Laser Printer 1100
Download size: 2 MB , less than 1 minute
DELL Printers software update released in December, 2006
++++++++++++++++++
I was told that the updates had been installed successfully:
++++++++++++++++++
Review Your Installation Results
Installation Summary
Successful: 3
Failed: 0
Remaining: 0
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Successful Updates
DELL Dell Laser Printer 1100
DELL - Printing - Dell Laser Printer 1
100
Microsoft Windows XP
Update for Microsoft Core XML Services
(MSXML) 6.0 Service Pack 1 (KB934268)
Update for Windows XP (KB934238)
++++++++++++++++++
This text from the NotePad version of that Windows Update Works 7.0 "Log"
word processing file might help by providing information about the printer
and about related topics:
++++++++++++++++++
This gibberish appears a few lines below the top of the NotePad file:
þÿÿÿþÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿR
o o t E n t r y ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
²Z¤
zѤ ÀO¹2º ÀcÂò^Çi ? C O N T E N T S
ÿÿÿÿ
Ì C o m p O b j
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ V S P E L L I N
G ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
è þÿÿÿ
++++++++++++++++++
and this appears near the bottom:
These fonts are listed, but I only used Times New Roman, Arrus BT, and
Garamond in my Works word processor file. I didn't use Courier New or
Arial:
++++++++++++++++++
Times New Roman Arrus BTGaramond Courier NewArial
++++++++++++++++++
This reference to the printer also appears near the bottom of the NotePad
file:
++++++++++++++++++
) winspool Dell Laser Printer 1100 USB001
++++++++++++++++++
My use of Works 7.0's word processor:
This application's been my primary word processor for eight years and, at
the moment, I have 15,314 files in it. I've never used Works 7.0's "Task
Launcher," because I wanted to be able to create new files at the precise
locations to which they'll be saved in their file paths. I do all my
navigation in the Windows Classic View in Windows Explorer, and I want to be
able to create new folders and files "where I am" on my drive at any moment.
The "Task Manager" creates all its new files in the root folder of "My
Documents," a system directory which I don't use. My extensively-branched
data hierarchy is set up in the root of my system's internal hard drive.
I've used a single hyphen to name the root folder, so all my data files are
in the "C:\-\" path, rather than in the "C:\My Documents" path.
I long ago created a basic "new file" format, which I inserted in Windows
Explorer's File/New menu by using TweakUI. (The format simply established a
"preface" and a file-name for each new file.) That allowed me to create new
files with some of the basic formatting which I desired wherever I wished
while I navigated my drive in Windows Explorer. I then customized that
standard formatting for each new file.
I reformatted my internal hard drive and I "manually restored" my system,
piece by piece, in 10-05. I abandoned the Windows Explorer File/New menu at
that time, and I continued to bypass Work's "Task Launcher." I began to
create all my new Works 7.0 word processing files by copying and pasting
additional "sample" files which I'd created in a directory in my data
hierarchy. This allows me to eliminate the "customization" of my former
standard file format by giving me a "pre-formatted" sample file for each
type. I've been copying these sample files, using Windows Explorer's Edit
menu, or using the context menus of the sample files, and pasting the copies
to folders in which I wish to create "new" files. My directory of such
sample files has expanded to include folders, in small subdirectories.
JLH
This could have been
caused by one or more recent Windows Update downloads.
I was first unable to open additional Works 7.0 word processing files
yesterday while I was writing in one such file. This was immediately after
I'd downloaded and installed three updates from the Microsoft Windows Update
Web site. Two of those three updates related to printing, which may suggest
they caused this word processing file problem. I'd been recording the
details of my Windows Update "transaction" in a Works 7.0 word processing
file while I was visiting the site. I was able to continue working in that
file (it didn't crash), but I wasn't able to open other files which had been
saved and closed previously. After I closed the file in which I'd been
working when I installed the updates, I wasn't able to open it immediately
again in Works. I can open that file, and all my other Works 7.0 word
processing files in NotePad now, but NotePad adds an extra
space for each keystroke in Works' formatted text, and the text expands
laterally. I've pasted a small sample of the NotePad text below my
signature, with the extra spaces removed. Of course, NotePad's only
suitable for limited purposes..
An old copy of Microsoft Word97, in the Professional Version of Microsoft
Office 97, is able to open many of my WPS files in Word97, particularly if I
use the "Open with" option in the context menus of the Works 7.0 files.
They're displayed nicely in Word 97, with my desired formatting, but Word 97
often tells me that it can't open these files. (Works' word processor has
all the features I require, and it's too bad I experience such problems with
it. I guess the exposure I'm getting to Word will tend to "wean" me of
Works' word processor once and for all. I may be forced to admit that
Works' word processor simply is a sub-standard application, but, for the
moment, I'd like to regain access to my extremely large collection of such
files. I regret entrusting so much content to such an unreliable
application...)
I've pasted some information about my use of word processing files below my
signature. I suspect my use is unusual. Works seems to be a limited,
simplified application, so I assume I may have asked too much of it, but the
close association of my current problem with the Windows Update
printing-related downloads strongly suggests a causal relationship.
One of the two printing-related Windows Updates was said to enhance Windows
XP Home's own "printing" capability, and the other seemed to be a type of
"patch" for my Dell Laser Printer 1100, the down-market monochromatic laser
printer which seems to have been made for Dell by Samsung. The first update
was offered as a "critical update," and the printer software was offered as
an optional hardware upgrade. The hardware upgrade was said to have been
published by Dell in December of last year.
I believe the Windows Update Site may have "killed" an Epson color inkjet
printer of mine several years ago, also by providing an "updated driver"
which I installed. I was therefore highly suspicious yesterday when I saw
that another printer "driver" was being offered. I checked at Dell's site,
and I found their most recent full-sized device driver was published last
November. It was also much larger than the 2 MB update which Microsoft
offered. I only decided to accept the Microsoft updates after lengthy
consideration. I reasoned that the operating system's "printing upgrade"
might be desirable, or even necessary, and I also assumed that the printer
software might require an update to remain compatible with the augmented
operating system.
I'd only attempted to use XP's System Restore once before, in four years,
and it failed to restore my system to any of six prior points. Only a day
or two before yesterday I cut its space allocation to the minimum necessary,
200 MB. I made my second attempt to use System Restore yesterday, but it
once more failed to return my system to either of two prior states.
I uninstalled Works 7.0 and then reinstalled it, but that had no effect.
From the start, I've been able to open a few Works 7.0 word processing files
in their own application after I reboot the system, but I soon find I can't
open any more. That "changing" nature of this problem seems weird.
I'm operating the Home Edition of Windows XP with SP2 (Build 2600) on a
4-year-old, ultra-low-end Gateway 300S tower-type desktop system unit, with
an 80 GB single-partition HD, 512 MB DDR SDRAM, IE 7 and Outlook Express
6.0, and
Symantec's Internet Security 2007.
Thanks to anyone who can help!
Jeff Hook
NJ, USA (More information's below: )
This is the summary of the three downloads which I obtained from the Windows
Update site shortly after noon yesterday:
++++++++++++++++++
Install Updates Download size (total)
: 6.5 MB
Estimated time at your connection speed: less than 1 minute
High-priority updates Microsoft Windows XP
Update for Windows XP (KB934238)
Download size: 3.6 MB , less than 1 minute
This update contains improvements to the printing components on your system
and to the Microsoft XPS Document Writer. After you install this item, you
may have to restart your computer. Once you have installed this item, it
cannot be removed.
--------------------------------------
Optional software updates
Microsoft Windows XP
Update for Microsoft Core XML Services
(MSXML) 6.0 Service Pack 1 (KB934268)
Download size: 898 KB , less than 1 minute
MSXML 6.0 Service Pack 1 (MSXML6.1) has improved reliability, security,
conformance with the XML 1.0 and XML Schema 1.0 W3C Recommendations, and
compatibility with System.Xml 2.0. After you install this item, you may have
to restart your computer.
--------------------------------------
Optional hardware updates
DELL Dell Laser Printer 1100
DELL - Printing - Dell Laser Printer 1100
Download size: 2 MB , less than 1 minute
DELL Printers software update released in December, 2006
++++++++++++++++++
I was told that the updates had been installed successfully:
++++++++++++++++++
Review Your Installation Results
Installation Summary
Successful: 3
Failed: 0
Remaining: 0
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Successful Updates
DELL Dell Laser Printer 1100
DELL - Printing - Dell Laser Printer 1
100
Microsoft Windows XP
Update for Microsoft Core XML Services
(MSXML) 6.0 Service Pack 1 (KB934268)
Update for Windows XP (KB934238)
++++++++++++++++++
This text from the NotePad version of that Windows Update Works 7.0 "Log"
word processing file might help by providing information about the printer
and about related topics:
++++++++++++++++++
This gibberish appears a few lines below the top of the NotePad file:
þÿÿÿþÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿR
o o t E n t r y ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
²Z¤
zѤ ÀO¹2º ÀcÂò^Çi ? C O N T E N T S
ÿÿÿÿ
Ì C o m p O b j
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ V S P E L L I N
G ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
è þÿÿÿ
++++++++++++++++++
and this appears near the bottom:
These fonts are listed, but I only used Times New Roman, Arrus BT, and
Garamond in my Works word processor file. I didn't use Courier New or
Arial:
++++++++++++++++++
Times New Roman Arrus BTGaramond Courier NewArial
++++++++++++++++++
This reference to the printer also appears near the bottom of the NotePad
file:
++++++++++++++++++
) winspool Dell Laser Printer 1100 USB001
++++++++++++++++++
My use of Works 7.0's word processor:
This application's been my primary word processor for eight years and, at
the moment, I have 15,314 files in it. I've never used Works 7.0's "Task
Launcher," because I wanted to be able to create new files at the precise
locations to which they'll be saved in their file paths. I do all my
navigation in the Windows Classic View in Windows Explorer, and I want to be
able to create new folders and files "where I am" on my drive at any moment.
The "Task Manager" creates all its new files in the root folder of "My
Documents," a system directory which I don't use. My extensively-branched
data hierarchy is set up in the root of my system's internal hard drive.
I've used a single hyphen to name the root folder, so all my data files are
in the "C:\-\" path, rather than in the "C:\My Documents" path.
I long ago created a basic "new file" format, which I inserted in Windows
Explorer's File/New menu by using TweakUI. (The format simply established a
"preface" and a file-name for each new file.) That allowed me to create new
files with some of the basic formatting which I desired wherever I wished
while I navigated my drive in Windows Explorer. I then customized that
standard formatting for each new file.
I reformatted my internal hard drive and I "manually restored" my system,
piece by piece, in 10-05. I abandoned the Windows Explorer File/New menu at
that time, and I continued to bypass Work's "Task Launcher." I began to
create all my new Works 7.0 word processing files by copying and pasting
additional "sample" files which I'd created in a directory in my data
hierarchy. This allows me to eliminate the "customization" of my former
standard file format by giving me a "pre-formatted" sample file for each
type. I've been copying these sample files, using Windows Explorer's Edit
menu, or using the context menus of the sample files, and pasting the copies
to folders in which I wish to create "new" files. My directory of such
sample files has expanded to include folders, in small subdirectories.
JLH