Question:

Tony, I am still using Windows 98 on one of my old computers (I just like 98!) and I have been unable to download for quite a while. I have spent hours on the Microsoft web site trying to resolve this issue but nothing has worked! I found your “fix” on your website for Vista where you referred to chris123nt.com. I copied the fix but, when I tried to import it into Windows 98, I got this message “Cannot import file. The specified file is not a registry script. You can only import registry files”.

I guess in my haste I should have determined if this would fix would work in Windows 98?  Do you know if it would and, if so, how do I import it.  If it doesn’t work, do you have any idea where I could find the proper fix?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

p.s. I have been using XP for the past 4 years and I want to buy a new computer but I have been hesitant because I am afraid some of my old (irreplacable) programs will not work with Vista. Have they finally worked out all of the “bugs” that I have been reading about?

Answer:

Hi, Joe. You’re referring to this post.

First, I don’t know if it will work in Windows 98–I suppose it depends more on the version of Internet Explorer you’re using. It’s worth a shot though. If Win98 won’t handle the .reg file (I really don’t remember, after all, it’s like 9 years old ), you can make the changes manually by following these steps (I’m trying to remember the 98 user interface, so forgive me if I make a mistake):

1. Click Start, and then click Run.

2. Type regedit, and then press Enter. If that doesn’t open the Registry Editor, try running regedt32.

3. Select HKEY_CLASSES\.xml. In the right pane, double-click Perceived Type, and set it to “text”.

4. Select HKEY_CLASSES\.xml\OpenWithList\winword.exe.  Delete any values.

5. Select HKEY_CLASSES\.xml\PersistentHandler\. Double-click the (Default) value, and set it to “{7E9D8D44-6926-426F-AA2B-217A819A5CCE}”.

Hope that helps!