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Hi all!
Recently my computer crashed. I took it to a local shop and found the motherboard and hard drive dead. Replaced them and everything's good except for some lost addresses and bookmarks. However, it had MS Works installed on it from the factory (Compaq) and didn't include the disks. They were able to retrieve all my documents from the old hard drive, but now I can't open them 'cause I lost my word processor software (Works). Do I have to go buy it or is there somewhere it can be downloaded or something?? Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Pilgrim
If you can find someone that has the works program it would be better and cheaper to use theirs. I had the same thing happen to my Compaq and i used the works disk from my folks dell. As long as they're the same OS it should be ok.
The Works Suite is very cheap. It is sold at Wal-Mart and everywhere else. I just ordered a laptop and paid $15. (with purchase) for the suite. Consider getting a newer version on CD or buy the Quick Restore CD from Compaq for $25.
You might get it cheaper by buying an upgrade version if you were a legit owner and properly registered with Microsoft. I think they have a replacement CD service also.
Last edited by 1997RangerXLT; Jun 7, 2003 at 09:08 PM.
With a Compaq you should have had a quick restore disk. Unfortunately that disk will completely overwrite all of your files and settings. You may be able to load up the MS-Works program from the disk tho. Most of the time the majopr companies scramble up their software so it can't be used if you change things on the machine without using their approved parts and repair services.
MS-Works is very cheap tho, and doesn'r work very well so I guess you get what you pay for.
The software is hard to find on the disk because it is buried way down in strange numerical directories. Everything that was on your machine when you purchased it is on the restore disk. It can be reinstalled if you know how. I don't buy Compaq because they were such a pain to work with. I just build my own machines buying parts from NewEgg.com
I use StarOffice which was a free download. I don't know where you can get it now tho. You might try a search, unfortunately you will need a broadband connection to download the program if you find it. It is sometimes included with Linux distribution disks. It works on both Linux and Windows. It works MUCH better than Works tho.
Thanks for the link. I upgraded just b4 Sun started the openoffice project.
My 5.2 version works just fine with W-XP
I have found it able to import formats even MS Office wouldn't import including old MS office documents. MS seems to have a built in obsolescence factor.