kevluck373
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Microsoft Works error
There are a few people at work that use MS Works to look through data sorted out in a works database, and I’ve worked at the same place for 4 years, but this is the first time I’ve experienced this.
A picture of this error is shown below. I may extract system & app logs from the event viewer.
A user opens the Works database through Outlook, and Outlook has always opened the Works file automatically, but for some reason this issue has started for 1 user.
I can save the file from Outlook, and am able to open the file manually through Works but not automatically as used to work. Even if I save the Works file on the PC, and double click on it I get the same error shown about, but for some reason if I open Works, and the open the file this works.
I can log in as her on any other PC, and this error does not come up, which makes me think what this could be on her office PC.
I’ve tried uninstalling/reinstalling Works but error remains. The works files I have are from here at work, but I do not have the actual CD. You can download an ISO from the internet because as far as I know Works is free these days. This is Works 9.5. I may burn the ISO to a CD and try that way, but if that works it will be shocking. I'll have to check this again, but I believe I've given her modify rights to the folder where Works is installed.
I've never had to do anything special to get Works to work such as granting specific rights to specific folders.
I’m fairly confident if I re imaged the PC would fix this problem, but I was hoping there’s an easier way of doing this. If this were to happen again, it’d be nice to know a fix instead of re doing the PC.
I have seen this topic on experts exchange once, but wasn’t able to get any helpful ideas I could try.
I suppose I can try to uninstall/reinstall Office but haven’t tried that yet.
A picture of this error is shown below. I may extract system & app logs from the event viewer.
A user opens the Works database through Outlook, and Outlook has always opened the Works file automatically, but for some reason this issue has started for 1 user.
I can save the file from Outlook, and am able to open the file manually through Works but not automatically as used to work. Even if I save the Works file on the PC, and double click on it I get the same error shown about, but for some reason if I open Works, and the open the file this works.
I can log in as her on any other PC, and this error does not come up, which makes me think what this could be on her office PC.
I’ve tried uninstalling/reinstalling Works but error remains. The works files I have are from here at work, but I do not have the actual CD. You can download an ISO from the internet because as far as I know Works is free these days. This is Works 9.5. I may burn the ISO to a CD and try that way, but if that works it will be shocking. I'll have to check this again, but I believe I've given her modify rights to the folder where Works is installed.
I've never had to do anything special to get Works to work such as granting specific rights to specific folders.
I’m fairly confident if I re imaged the PC would fix this problem, but I was hoping there’s an easier way of doing this. If this were to happen again, it’d be nice to know a fix instead of re doing the PC.
I have seen this topic on experts exchange once, but wasn’t able to get any helpful ideas I could try.
I suppose I can try to uninstall/reinstall Office but haven’t tried that yet.
First of all, I'm not at all familiar with Microsoft Works as such. However, I am very familiar with Outlook and integrating it with other applications.
Check for a plug-in in Outlook that launches the Works connection. I would guess that there's a problem with the plug-in, since the problem exists only when trying to open Works from Outlook. The plugin is either missing or is not starting properly for some reason. You may need to uninstall and re-install it (the plugin) or adjust the settings for it.
Check for a plug-in in Outlook that launches the Works connection. I would guess that there's a problem with the plug-in, since the problem exists only when trying to open Works from Outlook. The plugin is either missing or is not starting properly for some reason. You may need to uninstall and re-install it (the plugin) or adjust the settings for it.
ASKER
I believe Outlook plugins are controlled through the IT admins because the PCs that Works does work on through Outlook have no plugins installed.
Whatever file I have to use w/ Works for some reason has to be opened within Works. If I double clicking on the Works file, or try to open the Works file I get the error screen shown.
I've exported the Windows logs from event viewer, and search through the event logs, but can't find anything regarding works; at least looks that way to me.
I've went pretty far w/ ideas trying uninstall/reinstall Works. I've used Revo uninstaller do uninstall as through as I could, and I've used ccleaner afterwards to clean the registery. Reinstalled Works, and still the same issue not being able to open Works files automatically through Works...only open by starting Works manually.
Are there any Works plugins for Outlook? Works is such an old program.
Whatever file I have to use w/ Works for some reason has to be opened within Works. If I double clicking on the Works file, or try to open the Works file I get the error screen shown.
I've exported the Windows logs from event viewer, and search through the event logs, but can't find anything regarding works; at least looks that way to me.
I've went pretty far w/ ideas trying uninstall/reinstall Works. I've used Revo uninstaller do uninstall as through as I could, and I've used ccleaner afterwards to clean the registery. Reinstalled Works, and still the same issue not being able to open Works files automatically through Works...only open by starting Works manually.
Are there any Works plugins for Outlook? Works is such an old program.
Maybe it's time to convert these files to Word??? I ran across these articles as well as a few others today while looking up Works:
How to open a Microsoft .wps or Works file in Word (computerhope.com)
The Easy Way to Convert Microsoft Works (WPS) Files to Word (DOC) | groovyPost
How to open a Microsoft .wps or Works file in Word (computerhope.com)
The Easy Way to Convert Microsoft Works (WPS) Files to Word (DOC) | groovyPost
ASKER
Unfortunately, this is a Works database.
I don't have a full understanding of the process, but a lady uses the works database to enter names, and other users she sends the Works database.
The other workers can look through the database and sort out records they way they are used to doing.
I assume there's not a Works database to access converter.
I don't have a full understanding of the process, but a lady uses the works database to enter names, and other users she sends the Works database.
The other workers can look through the database and sort out records they way they are used to doing.
I assume there's not a Works database to access converter.
Can you do a File/Save As operation and save it in Excel (.csv) format? That would allow it to be imported into Access.
ASKER
I’m sure that idea will open the Works database, but another challenge of this is the users want nothing to be different. I very much wish we can get rid of Works altogether, but I believe the users would collapse if I did; don’t want anything to change.
I can open the Works database, but can’t open it automatically in Works; somehow, if I start Works first, I can then open the Works file.
The users are used to opening the attachment in Works, and Works then opens the database for them...some reason that does not want to work just on her PC.
I know the version of Works installed is x32. I’ve been surfing the Internet to see if there’s a x64 of Works, but I don’t think Works x64 was ever made.
I suppose the next idea I may try is removing office. Hopefully, removing Office will fix this, but removing office is a very big step to fix Works issue.
I can open the Works database, but can’t open it automatically in Works; somehow, if I start Works first, I can then open the Works file.
The users are used to opening the attachment in Works, and Works then opens the database for them...some reason that does not want to work just on her PC.
I know the version of Works installed is x32. I’ve been surfing the Internet to see if there’s a x64 of Works, but I don’t think Works x64 was ever made.
I suppose the next idea I may try is removing office. Hopefully, removing Office will fix this, but removing office is a very big step to fix Works issue.
ASKER
I believe there is a Works ver 8, but I have not been able to find a place to download it.
I can download Works 7, but according to the webpage 7 will not even install on Windows 10 x64.
I can download Works 7, but according to the webpage 7 will not even install on Windows 10 x64.
What exactly happens when you try to open a Works database without having Works open? Do you get an error message? Is there anything relevant in the event logs?
ASKER
If I double click on the Works database the error in the picture shows. This is the same error included in the initial question. So far, looking through the event logs, I don't find anything regarding Works.
I assume the logs would be the application & system logs, and I have exported both looking over them.
I assume the logs would be the application & system logs, and I have exported both looking over them.
ASKER
I've uninstalled/reinstalled Works in a few different ways but no luck.
What's most strange about this is the error only happens under her account on her office PC.
What this could be involving only her account and only this PC...I am clueless.
What's most strange about this is the error only happens under her account on her office PC.
What this could be involving only her account and only this PC...I am clueless.
I have to admit I'm just about stumped. The only other thing I can think of would be that there's some kind of problem happening when you uninstall/reinstall. When you uninstalled Works, did you clean up after the uninstall by manually deleting any remaining files/folders related to Works? I'm wondering if there could be some kind of file permissions or file association issue happening during or after the reinstall.
ASKER
I used revo uninstaller to uninstall Works, and that deletes the folders.
There are multiple models of this PC, and my plan is to make an image of this users PC. I'll restore the image to another PC, and my plan is to remove her profile from the PC, log back in, hopefully this idea will create her account from the beginning.
Hopefully recreating her account will fix whatever the issue maybe. This person does not work on Fridays, and this is when I plan to do the above.
If this plan does not work, this person will have to stick w/ the way I've shown her, or let me re image the PC over again.
There are multiple models of this PC, and my plan is to make an image of this users PC. I'll restore the image to another PC, and my plan is to remove her profile from the PC, log back in, hopefully this idea will create her account from the beginning.
Hopefully recreating her account will fix whatever the issue maybe. This person does not work on Fridays, and this is when I plan to do the above.
If this plan does not work, this person will have to stick w/ the way I've shown her, or let me re image the PC over again.
ASKER
Well that idea worked!!!
I wish I could know how/why this happened, but I have no idea. This error was only going on w/ her account & office PC for some reason.
I didn’t uninstall/reinstall Office as I had planned, but since this works I’ll stick w/ it.
Thanks for time and suggestions.
I wish I could know how/why this happened, but I have no idea. This error was only going on w/ her account & office PC for some reason.
I didn’t uninstall/reinstall Office as I had planned, but since this works I’ll stick w/ it.
Thanks for time and suggestions.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Hey...good troubleshooting on your part! Obviously there was something in the user's profile (or missing from it) that was causing the problem.
Cheers!
Cheers!
ASKER