How come?

[Ken Lang]

I have a Dell with XP. There are several times I'll bring up Dell's version of word, then minimize it. The first time, it does not go down to the start tray. I have to again go thru hitting start, then word file again. It comes back up but now says it's in use and I have to save it to start another file. I say no and then can use the file. It's a pain in the butt. Any ideas?

[Jack Stoner]

"Dell's version of Word" ???? If you have MS Word, it's Microsoft's version, not Dell's. Dell does not modify the software.

(Same way with the Operating System, many think that the Operating Systems supplied with new PC's is a different version (missing items, etc) than the Retail versions but that is wrong. The version supplied by PC companies is an "OEM" version - which is identical to the Retail version. On the Dell supplied Operating System Discs the do add a BIOS check to make sure it's a Dell BIOS, as the Dell provided discs will only load on a machine with a Dell BIOS but that is the ONLY difference).

Now back to the Word problem. First, what version of MS Word is this? Word 2007? Word 2003?, many Dell's came with "WordPerfect" (a Corel product), not MS Word. If you have MS Word, it would have been an "optional at extra cost" item. Many came with a limited 60 day trial version of MS Office.
Some also come with Microsoft Works and the Works Wordprocessor is different from MSWord.

If you click to minimize the program, I know it should do it right away, but what happens if wait a little bit? will it minimize to the "task bar".

[Ken Lang]

Hi Jack. It's WordPerfect 11. I'll try leaving it up for a few minutes. (5 min) Doesn't work the first time. Does on the second. ?

Nother question. I have downloaded Open Office a while back. Is that worth anything?

[Wiz Feinberg]

Hi Jack. It's WordPerfect 11. I'll try leaving it up for a few minutes. (5 min) Doesn't work the first time. Does on the second. ?

Nother question. I have downloaded Open Office a while back. Is that worth anything?

Open Office (OO) is a good, free replacement for the horribly expensive Microsoft Office and Corel WP suites. I have installed it on various computers for both personal and business users and all found it compatible with documents created with real MS Office applications. This includes spread sheets and "Word" files. Additionally, OO comes with a free PDF file creator. Usually, one has to buy Adobe Acrobat to create PDFs (very expensive).

On the other hand, Word Perfect is not always compatible with MS Office documents, depending on which version you have. It was purchased by Corel Corp, of Canada, several years ago and the new version, X4, costs $299.00 US.

FYI: OO is about a 140 MB download, free of charge and updated as needed, for security patches, or compatibility with new Office releases.

[Ken Lang]

Thanks Wiz. I have looked at the different pages of OO. I know my Word Perfect is not compatible with my wife's Word on her computer. Guess I better start learning to use it.

[Wiz Feinberg]

Ya can't beat the price Ken!