After nearly two years of trouble with my former pc, Best Buy exchanged it for a new one. Yay. I had been running Word 2000 on my old computer (it ran Windows Vista. From what I've Googled it does not sound like I can do this again with my new PC. Anyone with more computer savvy than me know?

Thank you,
Mona

It looks like Office 00 works with Win7 but that Outlook has issues. At least that's what I came up with when I Googled it... There are apparently work arounds if you need them, but I don't use Outlook [and have Office 07]. Thunderbird might be an option if that's the issue.

I also noticed that extended support for Office 00 ended last summer so there's no updates for any problems [like the Outlook thing].

You could always try installing it and go from there...

Wow, what a quick reply. Thanks, Carol. I will try it out and see what happens. Aside form $1 for a newer version, , my only concern is that documents I have saved on my Flash Drive (Old Version) will automatically be converted.

LOL! As I am typing this, I got a call from the Geek Squad (someone who apparently did not know I had already done the trade)and was able to ask him. He said I would need MS Office 2007. Oh well. I am grateful to the warranty on my old pc for making this new one possible.

Thanks again,
Mona

Personally, I'd still try Office 00 and see if it works. As for the docs, 07 will open all older versions [but older versions don't open newer ones unless you save it correctly].

Karen, other techie... Can you chime in?

Thank you again Carol, I'll try it. Definitely would be worth saving the $. One other computer related question, if I may...My former computer had Trend Micro Internet Security on it. I believe it just had AntiVirus not also AntiSpyware. The new computer came with a free 60 day trial version of Norton Internet Security 2010.

The pc I had before my last one ran Norton and Spysweeper. The were slow, customer service awful, but worked--until a virus killed the computer not even after 2 years.

My last computer was not compatible with SpySweeper, I don't believe this one is either. A family member who is much more pc literate than me, had recommended Trend. He said it did a good job, used less RAM, and was also cheaper.

Honestly, I don't know one from the other. I just want this computer to last! I would appreciate any thoughts on this.

Thank you,
Mona

I use AVG Free and Spybot so I'm no help there...

They're free .

Free is I do have time remaining on my Trend so most likely will finish it out and then decide.

On using Word 07 vs. Word 00: if you install Office 07, you shouldn't have any problems opening your old 00 files in it. It has compatibility with older versions. Now, to make sure that you would be able to open a file created in Word 07 (for example) on a older version (97 to 2003), all you have to do is "Save As..." and select "Word 97-2003 Document". You might be confused at first with Office 07's style and organization of menus, but I think it's easily adaptable.

On antivirus/spyware/etc.: I personally use AVG Free Edition as my antivirus, and also have free ZoneAlarm firewall. I think that, as long as you are careful with what you download to your computer or which webpages you open, having (malware) problems with your computers is very controllable.

malu

I upgraded to Windows 7 a couple of months ago. I reinstalled and am using Office 2000 with no problems, with the exception of a couple of quirks with Outlook. The quirks are not anything major--more annoying than anything--but I refuse to pay more for Office 2007 than it cost me to buy Windows 7. How can an entire OS be so much cheaper than office software?? But I'd definitely give it a try if I were you, because I have no problems with it. You can also download a free program (expansion? I'm not sure what to call it) that will let you open and read documents that are saved in the new Office 2007 formats if you are using an older version of Office.

I also use Trend Micro for my anti-virus and like it a lot. It's far less intrusive than Norton's, which drove me crazy.

Hey this is interesting as I am about to have the same dilemma. I seriously need to upgrade my PC as mine is 10 years old but I also had heard that MS Office 2000 was not compatible with Win 7.

However, I have also heard that Win 7 Pro can simulate Win XP in some way that allows the older software to run. I haven't looked into this yet myself so cannot say it is correct for sure, but I certainly will be looking into it before I change operating system.

As for AV software, I have had Nortons, AVG, Avast and some old one I can't recall the name of and I wouldn't go back to any of them. I now use NOD32 and love it.

Cheers
Elizabeth

You actually should be able to open a file in the .docx (Word 2007) format with an older version of Word, if you download and install the "Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint File Formats". To read more about it and to download it (for free), go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...AEE-8F43-C6BB74CD1466&displaylang=en

cheers,
Lynn S. M.

Elizabeth wrote:

To do this, you would need to run Windows XP Mode in a virtual machine. This would require a free download from Microsoft. To learn more about how to do this, and to get the download, go to: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/

cheers,
Lynn S. M.

Thank you everyone for all the replies, I really appreciate it. Folcs, as always, rock.

I put the question to the Best Buy Geek Squad (GS)themelves, who said it would not work. However he said that sometime this year MS Office will be releasing either a free or low cost version that will be compatible. Meantime, supposedly there are free trial downloads.

I also asked this question to a very computer savvy Cousin of mine. He told me about something called Openoffice.org. It's free and from my quick gander of it, it seems to be convertible old Word to it? I'll have to read up on it. Certainly would be wonderful if it works. Again all I am wanting is a Word type program.

I am not sure if this should be part of this thread or another but wanted to share a word of warning to anyone buying a new PC, particularly an HP. The one I got yesterday, exchanged today, was/is an HP s5310y. Last night after setting it up, establishing my DSL connection, I ran a Trend Micro Scan. (I decided to stick with them for now since the time I still had left was transferable). The Security Scan found 27 NEW viruses! This from a brand new pc. All the viruses were contained with a pre-installed HP Games Folder by Wild Tangent. Trend had even quarantined each of them individually!

As if that was not bad enough, looking at the Security Report, it listed 45 viruses were found in the computer on 2/27, 4 days before I had even bought the darn thing. 72 total viruses, yikes. The reason for my hasty return of it. I have yet to set up the replacement but sure hope it will be fine.

The PC I got today did not already have the Geek Squad Optimization done to it, which I have heard is a rip off. Anyway, the technician removed everything Wild Tangent. He said that it is merely a 60 day free trial of games that HP hopes you will buy. So beware of that.

For now, that's that. I'll try openoffice later and let you know.

Mona

I've heard decent stuff about openoffice. Supposedly, it's generic Office. All newer versions of that kind of stuff should open older files without any problems and, as others pointed out, there are workarounds for the opposite problem.

If you're happy with Office in general, I don't think it'd hurt to go ahead and try to install it.

And YIKES about the viruses! That's awful!

OpenOffice is fine if you don't need the more obscure features of Word. It can do a lot more than WordPad, but not as much as Word. Also, the user interface is similar to Word, but different enough to avoid successful "look and feel" lawsuits. That also will mean that there will be a slight (un)learning curve...but it will actually be easier to learn to use OpenOffice than it would Word 2007 if you are used to a prior version of Word. (The various pre-2007 versions of Word all looked more-or-less alike, but 2007 has a very different feel to it. It is much more intuitive to use than the older versions for those just getting started, but it does take some un- and re-learning to folks who have used the prior versions.)

cheers,
Lynn S. M.

I still catch myself trying to find stuff and I've had it for a couple years now... :p

CarolM wrote:

In RL, I teach computer-related courses; among them is one on MS Office. It probably took me a good half year before I stopped trying to use the non-existent menus in all of the apps, and before I went to the right side of the status bar to launch a slide show in PowerPoint. I noticed that the first semester or two that I taught the course with 2007, the students who had NO Office experience tended to outperform those that knew an older version.

Now that I am used to the newer version, I do prefer it. The transition was interesting, though.

And just think, Office 2010 is coming out soon...

cheers,
Lynn S. M.

Think I'll stick with 07 for a while .

I could see how those who had no Office experience to unlearn would do better. My MIL who is NOT computer savvy at all and could manage with it for work, HATES [still] 07. Whines even today about 'why'd they have to change it'. Of course, she likes just about everything to STAY THE SAME!

Thanks, Lynn. I'm afraid you lost me a little in some of your pc-speak but the gist seems to be that because I'm used to older Word and don't need it for anything "fancy" Open Office would work fine, perhaps easier and better than paying $149 for MS Office 7? Again all I really want is a Word type program. FYI, I used Word 2000. I still have the CD of it but am hesitant to try it out...

Carol, I'm sorry your...not sure what "MIL" stands for, but whoever you know is having MS Office '07 issues. I generally prefer older versions of things, certainly foods myself.

I can always try O.O and see what it's like. I wouldn't want to like buy MS '07 only to a few weeks later be informed 2010 version was out, that would stink bigtime.

Anyway, thanks again everyone.

Mona

Mother-in-law =D.

Yeah - I wouldn't buy 07 right now unless you got a really good deal on it [like sale when 10 comes out]. There should still be support/updates for several years yet [like support for 00 just ended last summer].

I like 07 now that I'm used to it, but it took a while . Will have to wait and see what 10 is like.

Carol

Mona wrote:

Oops. Sorry about that. If you are referring to my technobabble about virtual machines (VMs), the point may be moot, after all. I did a little more research and found that, at least under the beta version of Windows 7, Word 2000 would run in a VM, but it was *painfully* slow. (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/05/01/windows_7_xp_mode_review/) So that wouldn't have been a good solution, after all.

Yup. That's the bottom line. In any event, it is certainly worth giving OpenOffice a try, since the price is right.

Google Docs is another free option, but it has two drawbacks:

1) You must have a Google account
2) Your documents are all kept online

I personally have both privacy and security concerns about entrusting my documents to Google, but a lot of people do use their service.

cheers,
Lynn

Thank you for the MIL clarification, Carol. There sure are a ton of internet speak abbreviations out there! Lol, I agree with you on '07.

Lynn, hug, no problem. My PC knowledge is some, but basically limited to what I do daily. Yep, can't beat "free." I have to admit though before reading your latest post the temptation was there to try my old '00. I won't. I don't want to take any chances with new pc, that this time is working just fine. One last question, I don't suppose there's a way (to save Hard drive space, especially while I try it out)to only download the Word Processing Component of Open Office?

Enough Office Word-ing for tonight! Now the three of us should relax, meet up for a milkshake or something, better talk than PC.

Mona

/sigh/

I could so do a milkshake! Except that I'm doing a Makeover/Biggest Loser type contest and I can't /cry/.

I'm one of 60 contestants and have 10 weeks to lose as much weight/fat as I can [that's half the points], plus go to 5 meetings/keep a diary/journal [the other half the points]. *IF* I somehow manage to win, I get a personal trainer, nutritionist, shopping spree at the end of a 9mo makeover etc.

So... a virtual milkshake to all of us =D. No calories in those!

I'm with Carol's MIL--I like things to stay the same.

My experience sounds a lot like everyone else's. I had to reload all software after my computer crash last week and my MS Office 2003 (3-computer license) CDs were with my son at college, so I bought a copy of Office 2007. It is driving me crazy--I was trying to complete a project at 3:00am and I had to go through all the menus before I could figure out how to print and save a file! I feel like I am learning a whole new program. My husband, who has never been terribly computer literate, just got a new Windows 7 laptop and he loves the new version of Office. He seems to be learning it a lot more quickly than I am, since he has less to unlearn.

[Edit] Just read what others wrote while I was posting. A milkshake sounds good right now!

You would have to download the installation program for the entire suite; it's about 160 MB in size; that's fairly small by today's standards. And once you have completed the installation, you could delete that program.

After you download it and start to run it, it will ask you whether you wish to make a complete or a custom install. If you choose the latter, you can specify which components of the OpenOffice suite you want to install. "Writer" is their word processor.

And it may be morning here, but a chocolate milkshake still sounds good to me. (I never actually indulge in chocolate until later in the day; but it's never too early to think about it. I can relate to Lois in that regard...) And virtual milkshakes are nice and calorie-free. ;-)

cheers,
Lynn

Carol,

May you be a winner at losing! :-)

cheers,
Lynn

OpenOffice works well and is compatible with Word documents. It has its own file format but you can tell it to save as a doc/docx (Word format) easily.

By the way, WildTangent isn't a virus, it's just considered adware. It shouldn't harm the computer, but it will pop up ads on your screen, and possibly track your usage to target ads to you. It's still bad and its horrible that HP is putting it on computers, but its not ultimately harmful.

I'm a user of OpenOffice and find it more intuitive than Word. I find especially better than Office "Non-descriptive icons only" 07.
Try to explain someone who isn't very computer literate what do with that programme, with older versions one could go "menu A-> submenu B -> toggle switch f", picture description just doesn't work ("Hit the button with Windows logo" "Uh?").

I'd like to fry the person responsible for getting that programme for that user, because it's sure as hell not them who has to the troubleshooting when something is wrong. Not that I think they'd be able to.

But, yes, test drive OpenOffice, try your old Word install, you can always fork over money later.

I have to use Office 2007 at work and don't like it much, but it's usable if you persevere - at home I use Office 2003 under XP, it's also OK under Vista / Windows 7. Office 2000 isn't supported at all any more, and is increasingly unstable under all versions of Windows, so I really can't recommend relying on it.

If you're going to be working on non-Windows PCs e.g. Linux your best bet is definitely Open Office, since it supports pretty much every operating system around. The learning curve can be steep since it sometimes LOOKS like it will behave the same way as Word but doesn't, but for most routine writing purposes it's fine.

Carol, good luck from me, too, in losing.

Cookiesmom and Lynn, chocolate shakes are wonderful things at any time of day! I especially love Rite Aid Mint n Chip Ice Cream blended with Hershey's Syrup and Milk. Yummy stuff.

Karen, thanks for the info on WildTangent. I am still glad this time the Geek Squad removed it before I brought the PC home. This Scan, thankfully, did not find any viruses. Yay.

Chaos and Marcus, thank you both for the added OpenOffice/Word info.

2 questions:

I took a chance and tried my first disk of Office 2000. It was a little slow to download but did so. I tried my Flash Drive, it worked, opened everything on it. (word files) However, when going to the Computer File, it did not seem to register that I had documents on my Flash Drive. I think it said something like 1.86 of 1.86 available. I assumed that meant trouble, so I un-installed.

I then installed OopenOffice. I again tried my Flash Drive, it worked but will not open any of my Word documents. Does this mean I need to re-try the old Office 2000? I was always told that as long as I didn't open Outlook there'd be no trouble with it, if that was the main concern on the old version.

What should I do? I would still prefer to nix O.O. and stick with the old Word because I am familiar with it but again don't want to risk the pc.

Thank you so much (again). I really do appreciate all everyone's advice on this.

Mona