Q. We have done much of our family genealogy on our old computer using Windows 98. This past year our children decided we needed a new computer for our 50th wedding anniversary and got us a Dell with Windows XP Home. I downloaded Expert Personal Roots on our new computer. It went on fine, and an icon was on the desktop. But, when we click on the icon it says, "Error - Divide by Zero or overflow error." Dell told me the program was not compatible with XP. Is there anything that can be done? We have six families on this and many, many hours of work. I called the phone number on the program, but it's no longer in service. Can I salvage all this work? I have backup floppy discs.
I couldn't tell from your question whether the problem was installing the program or running the program after the install.
If the program is installed but gives the error when you attempt to run it try this: Right-click the icon you use to start the program and select Properties, then click Find Target (this will open Windows File Explorer with the program's executable file highlighted). Right-click the executable file and select Properties, then the Compatibility tab. Select "Run this program in compatibility mode" selecting the Windows 98 option. Try running the program again.
If your problem happens while you're trying to install the program, try using the Compatibility Wizard on the Setup file for the program. The file may be called Setup.exe or something similar, and is located on the Installation disc for the program.
To run the Program Compatibility Wizard: Click Start, Help, Support, Fixing a Problem, Application and Software Problems. Under Fix a Problem, click Getting Older Programs to Run on Windows XP and then click the Program Compatibility Wizard link. Follow the instructions in the wizard. The wizard will prompt you to test your program in different modes and with various settings. You may need to repeat this process until you find the correct Compatibility Mode combination.
Sorting Favorites
Q. Is there a way to alphabetize your Favorites list?
Open the list as you normally would when selecting to go to a favorite, then right-click anywhere on that menu and select Sort By Name with a left-click.
Getting Update to update
Q. I'm running Windows XP Home. When I go to Start and click Windows Update, nothing opens. I have tried several ways to get to the update window with limited success. I'm using a Sygate firewall, Spybot, Ad-aware and a popup stopper software. I have cleaned my two 80-gigabyte drives several times to no avail.
It sounds as if there could be several issues. First, temporarily disable your firewall and popup stopper and go directly to the Windows Update site (www.windowsupdate.com)
If that doesn't work, use Windows Explorer and go to the C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files folder. You should see a file named Update Class. This is the client software that runs when you scan for Microsoft updates. Right-click this file and select remove. Now try the first step again. Because you removed the update control, it will now load a new version, hopefully correcting your problem.
While we're speaking of the Downloaded Program Files folder: All users should become familiar with what is installed there. It includes things such as the update control and other plug-ins you may not know you have. Right-click each file, select Properties and check the different tabs of information for each one. Not familiar with the control? When in doubt, check it out. Just do a Google search on the name and see what you find. This is one of the places that spyware or other programs you don't want on your system often lurk.
