I need IT help!! (Crazymazy???)

[flossie]

Okay, I got a lovely, new laptop for my birthday which I Love. It's got vista on it which I actually quite like also. Trouble is this: when I went onto my kids' schools' webiste and tried to open their calender (it's a word document), my computer told me that I didn't have the right application? or something like that. I even went into the control panel and tried to select a programme to open a .doc with, but nothing worked. This also happened when hubby emailed me an excel sheet. What can I do? Anything? And you have to explain it to me as if you're talking to my 7 year old as I'm not that savvy. In fact, I might get my 7 year old to have a look.

Thankyou thankyou thankyou if you can help.

[bubble_boy]

It seems you dont have word installed.

Instead of going out to buy it. Download Openoffice. download: OpenOffice.org Downloads

Simple. Download . Install. Open file.

Hope this helps.

[flossie]

Thanks. Will try that after tea. It's very frustrating. I have Microsoft Works Word Processor. What, did Microsoft really think that I wouldn't ever need to open a Word or Excel document?

Thanks so much again.

[Maz25]

All PCs are now sold with Micorsoft Office works, which you can use to open your spreadsheet and word docs. Go to Microsft Office Works (in program list) > Microsoft Works Spreadsheet (to open Excel spreadsheets) or Microsoft Word processor (to open Microsoft Word docs). Open the programme and then access the file that you are trying to open.

Alternatively, you can buy Microsoft Office Home Edition (which I prefer) and that will save you having to select an appropriate programme as it will open all your docs using the right application by default.

HTH

[crazymazy1980]

Originally Posted by flossie

Okay, I got a lovely, new laptop for my birthday which I Love. It's got vista on it which I actually quite like also. Trouble is this: when I went onto my kids' schools' webiste and tried to open their calender (it's a word document), my computer told me that I didn't have the right application? or something like that. I even went into the control panel and tried to select a programme to open a .doc with, but nothing worked. This also happened when hubby emailed me an excel sheet. What can I do? Anything? And you have to explain it to me as if you're talking to my 7 year old as I'm not that savvy. In fact, I might get my 7 year old to have a look.

Thankyou thankyou thankyou if you can help.

Very Simple - Go to this website download: OpenOffice.org Downloads

Click download (REMEMBER where you saved it to!!)

When it's finished downloading it will ask you whether you want to install it. Click Run/Yes and follow the instructions. If it doesn't ask that double click on the file (hence why you need to remember where you saved it)

Once it's installed you'll be able to open all the files you have spoken about. What's more you will have all the power of Microsoft Office (and a few extras) for FREE!!!

And it's perfectly legal and above board!!!

HTH

[flossie]

Originally Posted by Maz25

All PCs are now sold with Micorsoft Office works, which you can use to open your spreadsheet and word docs. Go to Microsft Office Works (in program list) > Microsoft Works Spreadsheet (to open Excel spreadsheets) or Microsoft Word processor (to open Microsoft Word docs). Open the programme and then access the file that you are trying to open.

Alternatively, you can buy Microsoft Office Home Edition (which I prefer) and that will save you having to select an appropriate programme as it will open all your docs using the right application by default.

HTH

Okay, so I have to have Microsoft Office works word processor open to open word doc? Sheesh. Could they make it any harder?

Thanks, Maz, will try that also.

[crazymazy1980]

Originally Posted by Maz25

All PCs are now sold with Micorsoft Office works, which you can use to open your spreadsheet and word docs. Go to Microsft Office Works (in program list) > Microsoft Works Spreadsheet (to open Excel spreadsheets) or Microsoft Word processor (to open Microsoft Word docs). Open the programme and then access the file that you are trying to open.

Alternatively, you can buy Microsoft Office Home Edition (which I prefer) and that will save you having to select an appropriate programme as it will open all your docs using the right application by default.

HTH

Microsoft Office is NOT the same as Microsoft Works. Works is the poorer sister and was designed for the casual home user, hence why it was always so cheap. It was deliberately designed NOT to open Word or Excel files.

Don't buy a program when there is a perfectly good FREE one!!

Bubbles - You type as quick as you drink!!

[flossie]

Okay, still didn't work.

Thanks Crazymazy, I'll do that then. If you hear some screaming coming from the Meadows area, it'll be me!!

[flossie]

Originally Posted by crazymazy1980

Microsoft Office is NOT the same as Microsoft Works. Works is the poorer sister and was designed for the casual home user, hence why it was always so cheap. It was deliberately designed NOT to open Word or Excel files.

Don't buy a program when there is a perfectly good FREE one!!

Bubbles - You type as quick as you drink!!

es

Why would they design it NOT to open word and excel? When I do this downloading thingy, will I get Powerpoint, also? (See, I know all the technical terms!)

[Maz25]

Originally Posted by crazymazy1980

Microsoft Office is NOT the same as Microsoft Works. Works is the poorer sister and was designed for the casual home user, hence why it was always so cheap. It was deliberately designed NOT to open Word or Excel files.

Bubbles - You type as quick as you drink!!

Perfectly aware of that! I have both on my computer but have hardly ever used Works. Correction - You CAN open Office files using Works. I did just that before I bought Microsoft Office and to make sure I wasn't giving dodgy advice, I tried it before I posted my message and I managed to open my Excel and Word files without any probs!