Computer glitch help

[biscotti]

Running Windows 98. Have been using plain "Word" for documents for years. All of a sudden last week I opened a document in "Word" and the computer froze, over and over each time I try to open something. All that comes up is the Word documentation label thing with my name on it. Now it has the "Word XP" emblem on it and won't open any files.
Does this make any sense?

[tubbacheez]

1. Could be a number of things.

Check your Windows Updates. Check your antivirus software.

[Wonk]

4. M$ doesn't "do" updates anymore for Windoze 98

They've finally admitted it's a piece of crap OS, riddled with holes, and have abandoned any pretense of support for it.

[Cuban_Liberal]

2. You might also post in the Computer and Technology group.

Some pretty sharp folks in there.

[karlrschneider]

3. Sounds like you or some application tried to install the XP version

over your W98 one. If you have a 98 CD I would try running SFC (system file checker)..or if that doesn't work reinstall 98. There's another Computer help forum here at DU that you can ask in too. Just look down a ways in the forum listings from the lobby.

[POAS]

5. could be a corrupted installation of Word

You may need to reinstall the program, but your data should be safe.

[glaeken777]

6. umm

First of all, I'm amazed you were able to get Word XP to function properly with WIndows 98. It ain't built with that operating system in mind and there's probably no amount of RAM you throw at it to make it behave well.

My immediate suggestion would be to try uninstalling and reinstalling it. If that doesn't work, I'd suggest downgrading to Office 2000.

[biscotti]

10. OK I am a real novice

I just use the heck out of this computer but don't really understand the mechanics of it. I have the original "Works Disc" that has Microsoft Word listed on it. Do I just run that and it will override the XP one? will it then restore or can I open my documents that exist?
Thanks so much for any help.

[glaeken777]

11. no no no

There's a few different things which might be happening here.

1. New versions of Works (which is basically Microsoft Office squished into a single, slimmed-down program) come with a copy of Word. Why is anyone's guess.

2. You had Works installed and then at a later point installed Microsoft Office over it, which could frig things up.

My suggestion in either case would be to uninstall anything with Microsoft Works/Word under your Add/Remove control panel. Installing programs over themselves is a shotgun approach that rarely works. Get rid of the program the right way, then try re-installing it "fresh".

[5X]

7. Seen this many times

search for normal.dot file
delete it. Start Word.

[karlrschneider]

9. That's a new one on me...is it a worm or trojan?

Every day I think I've finally seen it all. :D

[natrat]

8. if you can afford it

this may be your excuse to get a new system. For literally a couple hundred , well maybe 5, you can a new box with xp on it. Way more stable and you could figure out how to transfer your files.