win95 software on xp

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NTAdmin

I use an older works program for a number of tasks called
ArkoseWorks, sold as a win95 program. It came pre-installed
on a win95 box I bought in 1998. Since Arkose went belly up
in 1999, I have bought a few copies off Ebay as backups.
Previous versions were called PerfectWorks and
WordPerfectWorks. The program combines a nice down and dirty
word processor, spreadsheet and database with a few other
functions. functions. I have used it on many machines with
win95, win98se, Nt4.0, XPHomesp1, and even on Vista and had
no problems.

However, on xpPro I've had a few glitches. I recently bought
a used dell Optiplex gx260. I reformatted the HD and
reinstalled Winxppro sp1 from a dell restore disk. After
installing Arkoseworks, I cannot open or create a spreadsheet.

When I click on New Spreadsheet, It gives an error saying
"Could not create a new document. Check available memory
and resources."

When I try to open an existing spreadsheet, the screen
flashes and it returns to the open file dialog box.

When I open an existing database, it sometimes opens. Other
times it flashes and goes back to the open file dialog box.
If I click on it again right away sometimes it opens the
file as read only, saying the file is locked or in use when
I try to save any changes. If I save changes to a new
filename, I cannot do it again without creating a new
filename again. Other times, an existing database opens
with a looping error box stating "Internal Kernel Error -3"
If I click OK or Cancel or the X in the corner, another one
appears below it. At that point I have to use Task Manager
to kill the program.

Could there be some file permissions that are handled
differently in XPpro than in the other systems where this
program works ok? As an older program, it wants to place
templates and documents in its Program Files folder. It
also places some preference files in c:\Windows\Profiles.
 
Personally I would move on, openoffice.org supplies a free Office type
application - Word, Spreadsheet, db etc that in general is fully compatible
with MS Office files
 
I've tried it both ways. However, I didn't run the setup
program in compatibility mode. It runs good on xpHome in
normal mode.
 
I once had a problem with 95-vintage software on an XP-home machine that was
related to having too much RAM. The program tested for the amount of RAM,
but assumed it would be under 128 Meg or so. I had 1 Gig and somehow its
test interpretted that as a negative number. Thus, it thought RAM was less
than required to run and refused to do anything. I got this information
from the program maker, who was still in business. They had a newer
verison, intended for more modern PCs, and were kind enough to ship it to
me.

As for anything called "Wordperfect", that is still available from Corel.
They offer a home/studnet edition for about $99. See the following link:

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1207939621182#tabview=tab0

However, for most applicaitons, I would suggest migrating to Open Office,
which is free, and almost on par with the full Microsoft Office. Open
Office can read and write many different file types:

http://www.openoffice.org/
 
I'll have to check out the memory thing. I just put 1 gig
in that box. I have a 128 meg stick that I can put in there
to see if that makes a difference.

I have OpenOffice loaded on all my computers. However, I
prefer using the older program because I'm more familiar
with it, it's leaner and quicker, it doesn't try to be
intuitive and rearrange all my formatting and the database
interface is much easier to use. Plus, I have thousands of
files in the .wpw format that I don't want to take the time
to convert to another file format.

As for the relationship to wordperfect, the software began
life as WordPerfect's attempt to compete with Microsoft
Works. When it didn't take off, they sold it to Novell who
bundled it into early versions of Netware as PerfectWorks.
Later it was spun off and sold by Arkose Software as
ArkoseWorks, generally bundled into low cost pc's like the
Intiva and Pionex brands sold by Sam's Club in the late
90's. So, even though they have the same roots, I doubt any
current versions of WordPerfect have no relationship to my
ArkoseWorks program.
 
Try running the setup in Compatibility Mode. I have an old version of
ClarisWorks for Windows version 1.1. I have to install it in Compatibility
Mode and then it works reasonably well.
 
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