Software prog won't run

[trish1234567]

Can anyone tell me why a microsoft software programme which worked perfectly OK on my 95 & Me computers will not run on my new xp computer. The same software works OK on my husband's xp - mine is a later model.

When I have tried to use the programme, the computer says that it cannot find a database! Thanks in advance

[vehelpfulguy]

Well it would help if you told us what the program was.

In fact from your append it is not clear how you are starting the program and what you expect the program to do.

Do you know the name of the program ?.

How do you normally start it, do you chose an option from the windows menu or other menu, or do you try to open (or double click) on a file on your computer.

If you are opening (or doublie clicking) on a file on your computer what is the name of the file (the full name including the 3 character extension).

Just in case you dont know, Windows relies on the 3 character extension to open a file with the correct program.

So if you have a file called FRED.DOC and you double click on the file to open it then Windows knows DOC it is a Word file and will open Word.

But maybe Windows does not know what program to use to open the file you are trying to run.

So a bit more information please.

[trish1234567]

Thank you vhg and pcw for your answers. However, I think I may have misled you. Perhaps I shouldn't have called it a software programme. This probably led you to believe it is something like Excel or similar.

I'm embarrassed to say It is actually just Microsoft Greetings Workshop which one downloads with a cd.
Can you explain the "cannot find a database" bit?
Once again, many thanks.

[vehelpfulguy]

Well Greetings Workshop is still a software program the same as Excel is.

Programs like Greetings Workshop will probably keep a record of each person who uses it, and what cards they have created (dont they call them projects ?)

The information it stores it will store in a small file which it calls a database.

When Greetings workshop is installed then it probably creates an "empty" database which it will then fill later with information.

For some reason it looks like it has not created the database during install, so when it starts it cannot find the database file.

The first simple thing to try is to fully uninstall the product, then turn off your PC, then turn it on again.

Then install the program again. During the install it may ask you if it can install it in a certain directory. Make a simple change to the directory name (just add one letter to the directoy name for example).

This will ensure it goes into a new directory and is a clean install.

If that does not work then come back here and ask again.

Can I check one thing, you say your PC is a later model than your husbands. Are you sure it is running Windows XP, could it be running the latest verson, Windows Vista.

Can you check and let us know, this may be the problem as many old programs do not work under Vista.

[ACtheTROLL]

I'm guessing that you need to either
a - properly install the prog - not just copy it
or
b - go into file and select "new" and open a new database
or
c - go to settings and point to an existing folder on your machine
d - find the database in questions on your husband's machine - copy it to exactly the same location on yours (create folders as required)

if you still have problems

try compatibility mode

right click on the .exe file ...
select properties from the menu
go to the compatibility tab
try 95 or 98 mode

[trish1234567]

Thank you all very much for helping me. However, I have spent many hours today trying to initiate this software but without success - and I hate being beaten!

I have tried everything suggested and really persevered, but a GWUTIL .DLL file cannot be initiated, although it is present within the file. I have come to the decision that there is something (and I can't find it) preventing me from opening the programme. It is like, for instance, when one downloads a free game for a limited period, and when the time is up, that's it unless you pay for it! Hence, I think that is why it's OK on my husband's xp and not mine.

I've tried looking thru the files and the data bases as far as I am able, but my technical knowledge is limited.

Incidentally, I did get a free copy of vista ( although I had to pay �30 pp) but I'm wary of downloading it in view of reviews I have read. I may download it on my laptop which I don't use very often, also an xp.

Once again, many, many thanks.