CompuServe Thread

#WinWord

32 messages in this thread
#37272From: Kevin BarrowJan 18, 1993 11:27 AM
I'm about to attack my windows with uninstaller and clean up. One of the things I'll be taking off is Word. I think when I installed it something went wrong it says the path for tools is wrong. When I installed it I ended up with two word icons. So I'll clean up things then reinstall it. A question for you. Since I have word I was planning to remove write. But then I remembered that when you view a text file it uses write to view it. So my question is will I be getting myself in trouble if I remove it. Kb
#37321From: Jack L. ChalkerJan 18, 1993 8:57 PM
You won't be in trouble deleting Write in and of itself, but you'll have to give something else as a default for WRI files or you won't be able to open and read them without converting. It's not that big a program; I'd leave it and NotePad on. Getting two icons is common, since most installers don't pay any attention to a pre-existing icon. Just delete the older unneeded stuff from Program manager.
#37351From: Kevin BarrowJan 18, 1993 11:27 PM
I guess I'll just leave it on then, it sounds like too much trouble to take off. I have to do some mean pruning on this machine. It is now time to decide what can stay and what has to go. I want everything but can't have it. Kb
#37340From: Lynne EllinwoodJan 18, 1993 10:56 PM
Kevin, If you aren't tight for disk space, you might keep Write until you're sure that Windows doesn't require it for something. All of the Microsoft Readme files use the .wri extension, and the File Manager recognizes these as calling for Write. If you associate the .wri files with Word, do the Readme files take longer to load? Could be, if Word is a lot bigger than Write . . . BTW, you _know_ that I'm no expert on Windows! Have managed to install Sprint on the 486 machine (my beauty!), but haven't added the patch, so get a "divide overflow" message on startup. Guess I'll get the patch placed into service tomorrow–it's on my other machine in zipped or arced form at present. Lynne
#37363From: Kevin BarrowJan 18, 1993 11:58 PM
I got the same suggestion from almost everyone. So who am I to go against the flow. I think I will keep it and prune other places. <<my beauty>> You indian giver. You said you bought that for your husband. Boy oh boy you just can't trust you women anymore. I hope you get some use out of Sprint. If you listen to Jack by the sounds of it you will have it doing everything except pour the coffee. You said that the patch was on "YOUR other machine.." what does your husband have a gameboy. Kb
#37460From: Lynne EllinwoodJan 19, 1993 11:24 PM
Kevin, Mark my words . . . if Mayla gets interested in computers, she will take over your machine and you will have to buy another machine for yourself. Ray had his chances to use the new machine–a couple of hours on Sunday night, I think. No, he doesn't have a gameboy–he has a laptop, and he is getting the old XT that I was using for business. At least he thinks he is . . . Lynne
#37467From: Kevin BarrowJan 20, 1993 12:37 AM
I am hoping that she does get interested in the computer, I already know what I want next. But I think it will be awhile before she is comfortable with it. Boy you're a mean spirited woman. To buy a man a new toy and keep it just out of his reach. Kb
#37373From: Paul KudlachJan 19, 1993 4:29 AM
Lynne, Ok Lynne. You have the new machine–now you have to tell us all about it! Paul
#37407From: Kevin BarrowJan 19, 1993 10:16 AM
Don't encourage her Paul. Its her husbands machine and he is just letting her use it. Kb
#37461From: Lynne EllinwoodJan 19, 1993 11:24 PM
Paul, Well, the machine is simply fantastic. When you have good equipment, your problems just seem to evaporate. I can jettison all sorts of procedures that were designed to save files efficiently, etc.–there's no need to bother, now. There's not too much to tell, because I'm still trying to make everything work. (Aside to Kevin: Ray is not particularly mechanical, and sticks me with all the setup drudgery. Just like a man.) The Opti motherboard doesn't work with the SoundBlaster Pro card, so I sent SBP in for a crystal patch. I have QEMM installed via "Optimize" and haven't done anything further. The 9600 baud Zoltrix fax/modem is a pleasure. Now here's my Nautilus/multimedia problem: even with a Trident video card with 1 meg RAM, the video clips on my Aris WorldView CDROM disc won't play. WorldView says it requires 512K video RAM. A dialog box says that video must be set by Windows to 256 colors. (It gave the same message with my other machine, which has only 256K video RAM.) Do I need to install a Trident 256-color driver in Windows, to replace the standard VGA driver? Or do I need to mess with video utilities and the card? I'm learning, but I'm still a beginner when it comes to hardware. Lynne
#37558From: Paul KudlachJan 21, 1993 3:14 AM
Lynne, If you have a 256 color driver from your video card manufacturer you should use that as opposed to the 16 color Windows driver (640×480). You could use the 256 color Windows driver (640×480). Use the Windows Setup Program (the one in the Main Group) to change the driver or to install the Trident driver. A 486 does eliminate all the aggravation of using Windows. I can't even see the changes happening. Equipment designed for Windows sure makes a difference. Paul
#37649From: Lynne EllinwoodJan 22, 1993 1:09 AM
Paul, Thanks. I didn't realize that Windows included a 256 color driver. Today I tracked down the Trident drivers (available from their BB, but not from CI$), and got the basic one installed. Hallelujah! I had to install monoumb2.386, but it worked. Can hardly wait for my SBPro to come back, so that I'll have a CDROM again, in order to install Nautilus, and to run all the beta tests again.<vbg> Can't thank all you beta testers enough–if I hadn't read all the discussions of drivers, etc., I'd still be wondering what to do to get 256 colors. Am dying to know whether there will be a substantial change in the look and feel of Nautilus. But I really do–finally–have 256 colors. Lynne P.S. Thanks for the description of Kevin's wedding–it was almost as good as seeing the VCR tape.
#37655From: Paul KudlachJan 22, 1993 1:53 AM
Lynne, I'm glad you got 256 colors. It really does make Windows and Nautilus look better. I'm sure Kevin would send you a copy of his wedding (right Kevin?). Paul
#37693From: Kevin BarrowJan 22, 1993 12:25 PM
No problem Lynne. If you want it it's yours. It's a nice ceremony and a big wedding (it sure suprised me). I had no involvment in the planning of the wedding (relief) being up here. So I just sent the money down thinking at the time that I was being really cheap. Then when the day of the wedding came I found out just how far money goes down there. It was the largest marriage that they had there. Everybody there thinks I'm rich and I am having a heck of a time convincing them I'm not. It's amazing that what would barely buy you a wedding with the JP here, buys you a kings wedding down there. They also find pale skin and big noses sexy down there. I'm in heaven. Kb
#37720From: Lynne EllinwoodJan 22, 1993 9:15 PM
Kevin, Sure, I'd like to see the wedding tape; also your company video. You may not see this before your trip–if Tapcis doesn't show an "X" I'll ask again. MS Multimedia Bookshelf 1992 is really something, isn't it? My Sony Laser Library came with a 1991 Bookshelf that I think is text-only, and I was unimpressed. But the SBPro Upgrade Kit had the Bookshelf included, and I'm delighted. So I'm glad to have taken Roger's advice and gotten the package, rather than only a CDROM drive, which would have cost about the same. That was "break a leg" as in "have an earthquake," but "break an arm," too. Bet your–and Mayla's–luggage will be just as stuffed coming back.<g> Lynne
#37763From: Kevin BarrowJan 23, 1993 1:50 AM
When I get back I'll run you off a copy and send it down. You gotta promise to drive it through Hollywood though. That way I can tell everyone my wedding video made it to Hollywood. I thought the package that came with CL upgrade pretty good also. The first CD I got was an NEC package from Tigarsoftware. The price was great but the package was a real disappointment. The copy of 3D Clipart was for Windows 2.x another CD of Great Citys of the World or something like that. It seemed like a travel ad on CD. I find it really convenient having MS Multimedia Bookshelf connected with Word directly. With MM Word you can have a CD install which really saves space, slows it down some but for what I use it for it don't matter. With the luggage situation. I tell ya it was getting serious. For awhile I thought I was gonna haveta go native and wear a loincloth (not a pretty sight). But managed to borrow larger suitcases and save the day. These suitcases will no doubt be loaded for the trip back. Unfortunatly some of it will be dried fish. Last time I came back, got to Vancouver all I wanted to do was have a shower and change my clothes after three hours sleep in forty-eight hours. Everything smelled of fish and that was after waiting six hours for my luggage to arrive on a different flight. I was a real cordial fella going through customs. They never even looked in my luggage and that really teed me off. Kb
#37387From: Jim ClementsJan 19, 1993 7:25 AM
Kevin, I was interested in your comment about the tools path when you reinstalled Windows. I keep getting that as well. And I have totally uninstalled Windows and re-installed. If you hear anything about it, I'd appreciate it if you could pass the info along. Cheers!
#37404From: Kevin BarrowJan 19, 1993 10:01 AM
Jim as I just said to Brian I am going to uninstall Word after I'm done here. I'll let you know how it goes. I think the reason I have a bad path to tools is because I went to the MM Word. For some reason I don't think it updated my win.ini file. I had a real big cleanup to do in my windows since I had put quite a few programs on that I ended up taking off. Because I don't know that much about windows I didn't get them all. So I am hoping that by using Microhelps Uninstaller I'll be able to get rid of the problem. Kb
#37488From: Jim ClementsJan 20, 1993 11:04 AM
Thanks for the information on the tools path problem, Kevin. I too am not very familiar with Windows — it is something that I am being forced to learn, but I'm putting it off as long as I can. And I too put word on via the MM word. I'm also doing a bunch of stuff such as installing new sound board, new SCSI and software left and right — it's fun (????) to say the least. I've just reloaded Windows and think now I will try to work my way up again. I'll let you know what happens. BTW, shouldn't there be some way to change the tools path — and to try to figure out what the darn path is supposed to be? Cheers! OOOPS, just read the next message, that you were successful. Great! Could you tell me a little more about uninstaller? Thanx.
#37494From: Kevin BarrowJan 20, 1993 12:55 PM
Jim the Uninstaller from MicroHelp is a great utilities program. It will take anything you have in windows and remove it. Including any lines in the win.ini files and will even take the program off of you system if you want it. I think I heard that they have it on special till the end of the month at 49.00 if you order it direct. I went through all of my old messages trying to find the 800 number but had no success. Maybe someone else can give you that. Whoa just found it 1-800-922-3383. It is a great help in cleaning up the mess you have made. It has made an improvement on my system. Kb
#37539From: Jack L. ChalkerJan 21, 1993 12:30 AM
Well "take everything you have in Windows and delete it" isn't exactly the way to put it! What the program does is run a fake execution of a Windows program, see what it calls and what it looks at, and then deletes everything having to do with just that program that it finds (unless you tell it not to).
#37587From: Kevin BarrowJan 21, 1993 11:31 AM
I'm a simple man and I talk in simple terms. You are right though I should have explained a little better then I did. Kb
#37563From: Jim ClementsJan 21, 1993 6:56 AM
Kevin, thank you for the number. I will give them a call. Hmmmm, and here I've been going in and doing a *.* delete of Windows — on the other hand that seems to work. I too now have Word working properly. For now, anyway. My problem, or part of it, is trying to do things like add 386 Max, Winmaster, PowerPak, a SCSI card and new Pioneer CD-ROM drive all within a few days of each other, as well as a bunch of less intensive software/hardware. Oh well, back to the old computer — now where did I leave my mallet? Cheers!
#37595From: Kevin BarrowJan 21, 1993 11:32 AM
You'll find uninstaller alot handier the *.* deleting. It enabled me to clean up my system. Sounds like you just blew your savings on the computer. My kind of man. Kb
#37667From: Jim ClementsJan 22, 1993 5:48 AM
Yeah, Kevin. It does sound handy. Actually, I seem to accumulate a lot of "stuff" — not knowledge, unfortunately, just "stuff." Cheers!
#37689From: Kevin BarrowJan 22, 1993 11:25 AM
Aww you'd be suprised Jim. I bet in with all that stuff is just a little tad of knowledge. Kb
#37409From: Kevin BarrowJan 19, 1993 10:44 AM
Jim just got finished uninstalling and reinstalling word. Works great now. If you haven't got the program Uninstaller by Microhelp I suggest you get it. Makes life a whole lot easier. Kb
#37572From: Tim EnnisJan 21, 1993 8:15 AM
Kevin, PMJI >>If you haven't got Uninstaller by Microhelp I suggest you get it.<< Sounds helpful. Is it commercial or shareware? If shareware, what Lib or BBs has it. Also is it geared to cleaning up Windows .SYS and .INI files. TIA, Tim
#37596From: Kevin BarrowJan 21, 1993 11:32 AM
Tim the Uninstaller is a excellent tool. It is made for windows and does the job it is suppose to. It is put out by MicroHelp and they can be reached at 1-800-922-3383. What it does (lets see if I can get this right) is it runs a fake execution of a Windows program. Sees what it calls and what it looks at, and then deletes everything having to do with just that program that it finds (unless you tell it not to). How's that Jack? It does clean up and .SYS and .INI files. Kb
#37679From: Tim EnnisJan 22, 1993 9:00 AM
Kevin, >>Tim the Uninstaller is a excellent tool. It is made for windows and does the job it is suppose to.<< Sounds great. I have just called and placed my order. Regards, Tim
#37690From: Kevin BarrowJan 22, 1993 11:25 AM
I don't think you will regret it Tim. It makes life alot easier and your system alot cleaner. Kb
#37775From: Jack L. ChalkerJan 23, 1993 2:02 AM
Kevin got it right and the thing works. Someone who needed tech support from MicroHelp on something that was specific to them reported superior tech support, too, although I've not needed it. The nicest thing Uninstaller does is give you total control over the deletions, including those things embedded inside other files like WIN.INI. and in subdirectories not otherwise obvious. It also flags any dlls or whatever that might be used by other programs, so it's a lot easier, and cleaner, and less time consuming to use it. You don't delete things you might regret later but you do get everything you might have overlooked as well as the obvious, and you do it without having to go from subdir to subdir and reading file after file.