(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Obsolete software; need help

D

DMartin9N-2N

Member
Good evening: I have several Family History documents that I created in a word processor (Open Document Text Format) during August 2002, that was supposed to be compatible with Microsoft Word. I can bring up one of the documents to view it on my old laptop, but I don't see how to print it. The Software I used to create the document is on a dead computer that ran Windows XP, no longer supported. I suspect I may have gotten the previous (Open Document) word processor as Linux shareware. Any help on how to bring this document into the modern digital world will be appreciated. Many thanks for any replies!

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
 
Open Document Format is hardly obsolete; it's very much in use today. The preferred application to handle ODF files is LibreOffice. LibreOffice is a quite large application, but once you load it you should have no problem editing and/or printing your documents. I would NOT convert them to MS Word format, as you're likely to lose some formatting.

Download LibreOffice at the link below.
LibreOffice
 
Good evening, MarkB: Thanks for the quick reply! I guess I should say Obsolete For Me, since the software I used is on my old Windows XP tower. I don't know if the XP computer can be made to run again. I think you are saying I can download the needed software to my present-day IMAC and edit the old text file. Well, maybe, but at present the file is open, on my old HP laptop and seems inaccessible. I hesitate to try downloading the software to the HP laptop without knowing more about this stuff.... Maybe I should close the document, and then try to copy it to my Slimdrive, which I can connect to either the HP or my IMAC.
I do have one paper copy of my document, so I could use my keyboard to manually copy it into an actual Word document. The document is 4 pages long, so I could re-type it in a short time and have a fresh start. Thanks again for the quick reply, and for others who may want to reply also.

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
 
> I think you are saying I can download the needed software to my present-day IMAC and edit the old text file. Well, maybe, but at present the file is open, on my old HP laptop and seems inaccessible.

You have been withholding information, Dennis! You didn't mention the iMac. Yes, you are correct: Load the appropriate LibreOffice version for your iMac (there are two versions, one for Intel and one for PowerPC), copy the file over to your Mac and you should be good to go. No, I wouldn't do anything with the old XP machine. Nor would I load LibreOffice on the HP laptop if your iMac is the computer you prefer to use.

I am a bit curious about your statement 'the file is open, on my old HP laptop and seems inaccessible'. If the file is 'open', that means you're able to view it. Either it's open and accessible or else you can't open it so it's inaccessible. Maybe you and I have different definitions for 'open'. If you're able to view the contents of the file, you must have it open in an application. Do you know what application you opened it with?
 
. Good morning, MarkB_MI; I had the file open, apparently using Word on the laptop, but the file version was (I think) read-only. So I can see it, I can print it (which I did), but not edit it. I may go ahead and download the right software, or I could re-type the document in Word while looking at my paper version. Thanks for the pointers!

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
 
You must have saved it oddly as read only, which might cause you problems now down the road.

Or, the program you used to look at it barely recognizes the file and thinks its read only.

Anyhow, loading the Libre onto your iMac and trying to open the file there is your best bet.

If your old old windows computer boots up, you should be able to view the document on that computer in the software you wrote in with, and then export the file in a
more friendly format, simple text or some such. It sounds like this might not be the easiest for some reason, perhaps you no longer have the software you used to
create the file with.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Need files from my obsolete computer
2
Replies
21
Views
723
M. Doud
M
D
OT- I need some computer related help.
Replies
10
Views
1K
steve_in_mo
S
S
OT - UPDATE to computer problem
2
Replies
28
Views
5K
Anonymous-0
A
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top