Richard, I can't help but wonder whether Dell modified the program, and this'll sure be a long post, but I'm wondering whether anyone else is having similar problems with either version.
I’m running Microsoft Works Suite 2001 that came with this computer; not installed, but with all the CDs to install it. And I had been running Works 4.5a on my last computer.
Norton System Works One Button Checkup indicates one error in the “Program Integrity Scan” and to run WinDoctor, which results in it saying it cannot fix the error:
<font color=blue>Missing File: “E:\Program Files\Microsoft Picture It! PhotoPub\MHPMRG.EXE”
E:\Program Files\Microsoft Picture It! PhotoPub\MHPMRG.EXE cannot access a necessary file “mhputilu.dll.”</font color=blue>
On Microsoft’s web site is a discussion of this known error, and instructions to download and run “piprem.exe” to fix it. When you run it, it says <font color=blue>PIP 2001 MHPMRG Utility removes a registry key that may cause a conflict with Norton System Works WinDoctor. It does not make any changes to Norton System Works.</font color=blue>
That worked when I had Windows ME, but I’ve tried it several times, including downloading it again from Microsoft to be sure I had the latest version. And when I run it, it says, “Done” but it doesn’t change anything. I still get the same error every time I run One Button Checkup or WinDoctor.
When I run Microsoft Works and click on a task, I get a dialogue box that says:
<font color=blue>The Works Task Launcher cannot access the task you selected. Files needed to start the program may be missing, corrupted, or may have been deleted. To restore or replace the files, reinstall the program, and then try starting the program again.
If you no longer use the program, you can delete it. With the right mouse button, click the program in the list on the left, and then click Delete.</font color=blue>
Well, there is no program on the left, and I do want to continue using the program, but I learned a long time ago (same thing was happening in ME) to just click “OK” in the dialogue box, then click on the task I wanted again and it runs. And of course, I’ve reinstalled the program, but that doesn’t change anything. In other words, I can work around it, but it’s a nuisance, and I don’t know whether it would be worth the cost to upgrade to 2002, or whether I’d be wasting money and still have the same problems. Back when Works was a simple word processor, database, and spreadsheet, it worked fine (I don’t remember how many versions I went through up to and including 4.5a), but they’ve kept adding what I assume are neat, but for me seldom used, and more complicated features, although I do like Picture It! (or at least the few features of it that I’ve been able to figure out).
In order to view the “movie” versions of the “help” menu for Picture It!, it says you have to download the MacroMedia Shockwave Player. I did, it showed to be downloaded and installed, but didn’t work. I finally uninstalled it (using the uninstaller program I found and downloaded from their web site), and downloaded it again and now it works.
I haven't priced Works Suite 2002 elsewhere, but on Microsoft's web site, it's $109 and if it isn't any better than what I now have, I'd really be upset if I paid that for it.
