Tag Archives: cannot access one or more files

works cannot access one or more files it needs to run word processor

Computer Aid Posted on by

A customer was having a few problems with her PC (mainly that the sound wasn’t working, and writing to DVD/CD wasn’t working).

I figure: easy enough… if the sound circuitry has failed, just insert a new sound card. Well, the new sound card also didn’t work.

So I eventually took the PC back to the office. A scan found an infection. I cleaned it all up, and returned the PC a few days later.

About a week later, customer calls saying she now has some different issues, from when I returned the PC… she cannot start the microsoft works word processor, she still cannot write to CDs, and her new webcam won’t work.

I go out again, and find that the way she was writing to CDs (drag and drop) no longer worked… maybe due to the infection)… but I quickly found a satisfactory workaround).

The webcam wouldn’t work with messenger because messenger was still configured to work with the old webcam… change some settings, and all is well.

That just leaves the work word processor…

I find I can start all the other works (V7) applications except for the WP. I ask about the WP CDs, but it seems that works was bundled with the PC when it was purchased (in England).

I manage to track down a version of works 7, and return again to uninstall and reinstall works 7… but after the reinstall, WP still won’t start (it keeps saying: works cannot access one or more files it needs to run word processor).

On top of it all, uninstalling works was made more difficult by errors like: “setup is unable to register tasks” I fixed that by manually starting the windows installer service (not sure why it didn’t start at system boot…).

A look on the net finds a shocking lack of information on how to fix the work word processor.

I eventually try:

  • uninstall works
  • norton uninstall utility (seems the system once had norton installed, and norton is a possible cause)
  • run the works uninstall cleanup utility (wks7rmxp.exe)… luckily the utility can be found on the installation CD.
  • Run the microsoft msicuu.exe utility, and remove any works leftovers.
  • reboot the system
  • Scan the registry for any leftover works entries, and remove them.
  • reboot the PC
  • reinstall works

And after all that: WP still won’t work (same error: works cannot access one or more files it needs to run word processor).

And converting works to another format? there is also a surprising lack of information (on the net) on how to do that also…

Customer doesn’t have MS office (and doesn’t want to pay for it)… so my only option is:

  • Install openoffice
  • copy all her works WP files (only about 40!). to my usb drive
  • use my version of office to convert the works files to word files
  • email the word files to the customer.

What a mess!… and I’ve developed a strong dislike for works!