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Dig deep to find if Word 6.0 is compatible with new PC

By JOHN TORRO
Published August 8, 2005

Q. In the early 1990s, I purchased a used computer. One of the programs already installed was Microsoft Word Version 6.0. I also got the floppy disks that contained the Microsoft Word Version 6.0 program. I used the installed Word successfully with Windows 95 and then upgraded to Windows 98 with no problems. I purchased a new computer, and I installed the Word 6.0 from the floppy disks, and the program works fine, with one exception: When I try to open any file that I saved on the old computer, I get a Convert File Box that has a list like Text Only; MS-DOC Text; Rich Text Format (RTF); the Word Perfect 5.0; etc. But the only Word file is Word for Windows 2.0. Then no matter which file I select, I get another box that says: "File is not a (item I selected) document." Is there something I can do to correct this problem?

A. Well, you're certainly getting your money's worth out of Word 6.0. It has been a very long time since I've seen this application mentioned. Obviously, it looks as though the incompatibility of the old software has finally kicked in for Windows XP. Try this: Find the executable for Word 6.0 (it will be the .exe program referenced by the target of the menu shortcut) through Windows Explorer. Right-click on this file and then click the Compatibility tab. Click the "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and then select one of the older Windows versions from the drop down selection. Try them all to see if any will allow the program to work as it did before.

Q. When I boot up, an error appears on the screen: "Error loading C:\program files\wild tangent\apps\CDA\cda engine 0400.dll The specified module could not be found." How do I get this off my computer?

A. This is part of a program that is necessary for some Web-based games. It usually gets loaded as part of AOL Instant Messenger, so if you or members of your family periodically download that program, check to make sure you uncheck that option. To remove it from your system, check the Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel. If there, delete it as usual. Otherwise, check the instructions on this Web page (www.pchell.com/support/wildtangent.shtml) for various manual removal instructions.

Q. The day after I got my new T-mobile cell phone, I went to its Web site to look around. I checked out some of the rings available for downloading. Even if you don't have T-mobile, you can test one or two rings available. At the time, I could click on an example and get the ring. A few days later, my browser(s) lost that functionality. I've tried Internet Explorer, SlimBrowser and Firefox. Firefox gave a message about not being able to get a "DirectShow Player." The other two didn't do anything. Maybe you could point me in the right direction to fix things.

A. DirectShow is a multimedia architecture developed by Microsoft. It is part of Windows XP and Internet Explorer, and available separately for free download from Microsoft as part of DirectX. Go to www.microsoft.com/downloads and click on DirectX and try reinstalling the latest DirectX software.

Q. I bought a computer (Windows XP, Service Pack 2) and have two antivirus programs running,EZ Antivirus and AVG free edition. I also have Spysubtract on it. Do I need this many?

A. No. In fact, it can lead to confusing results and will be a resource strain on your PC, slowing it down. EZ Antivirus is made by Computer Associates and AVG is made by GriSoft. I have no preference between these two. I would take the one that is best supported - you can check the Web sites to determine which versions you have and make your decision from there. Make sure that they are in fact antivirus and that one is not just an antispyware version.

[Last modified August 5, 2005, 10:47:03]