9 replies to this topic

[frazzm737]

This will not surprise anyone--I have a problem with Word on my old computer running Windows XP. After saving a document written in Word and saving it to My documents, it will not re-open. The message is 'Application failed, Converter Dll not found--reinstall blah, blah, blah.' Anyone have an idea what is wrong? My Sweet Prince wants to start his Great American Novel. A Google search indicates downloads, but this computer is not connected to the internet--I don't trust him on the internet.

[drmsucks]

What version of Word?

What XP - SP1, SP2, SP3?

[frazzm737]

The Word version would be SP 2. I found a work-around. Since none of the .doc files will open, I tried other file types. If we save the files as Rich Text, rtf. files, they open just fine. This requires an extra step, but it works. When I took the computer off the internet, I removed all the anti-malware programs, but nothing Microsoft, so I am puzzled as to what has caused this glitch. I am prone to Microsoft mishaps!

[drmsucks]

frazzm737, on Jul 1 2009, 01:50 PM, said:

The Word version would be SP 2. I found a work-around. Since none of the .doc files will open, I tried other file types. If we save the files as Rich Text, rtf. files, they open just fine. This requires an extra step, but it works. When I took the computer off the internet, I removed all the anti-malware programs, but nothing Microsoft, so I am puzzled as to what has caused this glitch. I am prone to Microsoft mishaps!

Glad that you found a work-a-round. Looks like your XP is SP2, do you know version of Word you are using? E.g., 97, 2000, XP, 2007? Or, are you maybe using MS Works?

A nice FREE Word replacement is Abiword. It will open and save .doc documents and is lightweight and quick. Won't do all of the heavy formatting that Word will do, but, who needs weird formatting for the Great(est!) American Novel?

Abiword

[frazzm737]

Not sure what version--it came preinstalled. We tried Works, but that just takes us back to Word and the .doc problem. Since the computer is not on the internet, I can't download the program you suggest. Or could I download it on my Mac, burn a disc and install it that way. For now, he is okay with the work-around. He just has to remember to change the file format. The first time he tried to print, he got a blank page. A fresh ink cartridge solved that problem. It will probably be quite a while before you will see his novel in book stores. LOL!

[drmsucks]

frazzm737, on Jul 1 2009, 03:04 PM, said:

Or could I download it on my Mac, burn a disc and install it that way.

Yep - that'll work fine; as long as the Mac doesn't choke on an .exe file!

[frazzm737]

I certainly don't want my Mac to choke up. I took a look through the files I cannot open and I'm sure you will all be as distressed as I am--I can no longer access my 2003 Christmas note!

[drmsucks]

frazzm737, on Jul 1 2009, 06:25 PM, said:

I certainly don't want my Mac to choke up. I took a look through the files I cannot open and I'm sure you will all be as distressed as I am--I can no longer access my 2003 Christmas note!

What a loss...you could have used it again this year. But, Abiword will open it for you in time to use it again. Just tell Mac to chew well before swallowing - only about 7 MB, as I recall.

[woodworker]

Fran, I am not sure what converter.dll is, or does. I have Word, but I don't find a file named converter.dll.

If you want, I will download converter.dll, and or, OpenOffice, or Abiword, and sent it to you. I could just email the converter.dll, I think.

Let me know if you want me to.

ww

[frazzm737]

Thanks, WW! I have googled that converter Dll and can make no sense of the possible downloads. Since I have found the work-around that makes it possible to save files, I thinks we will just use that solution rather than possibly compound the problem which we do not understand. If he learns to use this method, he will never know that there was another way.