TECH: HIT: longLC 575s/7.5 MW

[Claire Simpson <Clairesimp@AOL.COM>]

Within 48 hours of posting my query on problems with Mac LC 575's/ Sys 7.5/
Microsoft Works 4.0, I received many postings outlining similar problems,
some with suggestions.  I will truncate but will include all postings below.
Two gave me possible solutions.  One I had tried to no avail.  In addition to
this HIT, I am compiling all these messages without names into a FAX which I
am sending to Apple and to Microsoft.  They need to know that knowledgeable
people are going bonkers trying to use their products.
To summarize the results: most people think 7.5 is the problem, but there are
a few who blame MW4.0.  Possibly we have two concurrent problems and the
safest thing will be to go to 7.1 and MW3.0. Also, one person suggested
getting the 7.5 update which can be down loaded from apple.com.  Since the
school year is ending, I won't have as many people trying to use the Mac as
usual so this will be hard to evaluate.  I will post a result based on
what I try to do with my Mac by June 15th. Stay tuned and save my
email address in case we get lost from each other over the summer.
Here are the postings:
===========================================
From Florida: We had a similar problem with Print Shop and System 7.5. Our
tech coordinator solved it and it has to do with memory- there is not enough
memory for the computer to complete the task. Below are listed the 2 things
she did to make it work. Maybe it will work with MSW 4.0.
1)Go to Memory in the control panels (under the Apple); turn off Virtual
Memory; Turn off 32 Bit data display.
2)Go to the Microsoft Works 4.0 icon (not folder); Highlight it by clicking
it once. Go under File in the Menu Bar; Go to "Get Info"; Change the
preferred size to 30% more than is written in the space. RESTART THE
COMPUTER.
NOTE: I got very excited when I read this.  I had already increased the
Preferred size, but had not looked at Virtual Memory.  When I went to lookat
Virtual Memory, it was already off as was the 32 bit display. :(
=============================================
From Indiana: Have you installed the 7.5 update from Apple. It can be
downloaded from apple.com. It should fix some if not most of your problems.
We are not having any problems with our 575 since we installed the update.
==============================================
From: British Colombia: I have found System 7.5 to be a pest in the works; it
offers nothing that I really need and want and it does seem to foul up the
works, using so much RAM that it is hard to run many applications at once. We
took it off and have not regretted it. I am trying to free myself from the
compulsion to upgrade just because it's THERE.   (Amen!)
=============================================
From a "fairly techy type of fellow" in Washington:
Boy do I sympathize with you! I put 7.5 on my main Mac in my office and had
crash after crash after freeze-up with my existing software. When I tried to
use Norton Utilities startup to erase 7.5, the computer would not accept it
as a normal startup disk. So I had to make a 7.5 minimum startup, then erase
the old system, then put 7.1 back on my system. I had tried all sorts of
fixes. None of them worked. Also I still use Works 3.0 as everyone I know who
has used 4.0 finds it buggy and a memory hog.  (Mr. Techy Type, I need to
"talk" to you about how to get 7.5 off and 7.1 on. It sounds more complicated
than I expected.  I'll post.)
=============================================
From Washington: We have 3 Mac LC 575's which came with System 7.5. We also
had trouble with them freezing up and were told it was a problem with Works
4.0. We reinstalled Works 3.0, but they still freeze, not as often as they
did but they still freeze. Could the problem be System 7.5?  Let me know what
you find out.
============================================
From Ohio: I have ten LC575's and I have found that whenever I have software
that's too old for System 7.5 they freeze up at varying points in the
application. I tried MSWorks 4.0 and wound up dumping it and returning to
MSWroks 3.0. I like 7.5 and didn't like MSWorks 4.0 at all - too many
glitches and too complicated for inexperienced users, so my choice would be
to keep 7.5 and forget 4.0.
============================================
From Illinois: What is the problem w/Mac 575's, System 7.5 and MicroWorks? I
installed version 4.0 on an LCII and I'm so unhappy. I didn't think an update
could be so slow and aggravating. I was going to move it to a 575. Please
write soon!  (I will as soon as I have an answer.)
============================================
From Washington: I'd be interested in any replies you get to your problem.
Our P.T.A. bought the same computer and I've had tons of problems with the
screen freezing. We have Works 4.0 on it and I also put 3.0 on it. No
problems with the 3.0.
============================================
From California: We have had the freezing problem, running the 7.5 software
on the Macs, but not with 7.1 on the Mac server. This is a continual and
frustrating problem, especially when so many students are trying to finish
their term papers and reports - the machines hang.  I wish these companies
would get their software bugs out before unleashing them on the public. I
wonder how many technophobes they are creating each time they release faulty
software!  (Answer - At my school LOTS - all teachers.)
=============================================
From Georgia: We just upgraded from Works 3.0 to 4.0b We have had problem
after problem and are still using System 7.1 I think Works is the culprit. It
runs slowly and freezes up often. Have you called Microsoft? (Answer - Yes
and will again, but I have to use my principal's phone to call their NON 800
number!)
=============================================
From California: I'd reinstall 7.1 and your other software since it worked
fine with that configuration. Ignore what Apple told you about it being too
drastic Your old system worked, go back to it.
=============================================
From Ohio: MSW 3.0 is working beautifully on our 575's. Be careful of the
copyright law. I suggest Fas-Track Computer Products in Sunbury Ohio. They
handle site-licensing for Microsoft at really good rates. 800-927-3936 and
ask for a sales rep. (This was in response to my saying I might bring my 3.0
from home and install it in school.)
======================================================
From Oregon: Our solution was to dig out the copies of Works3.0 the extra
features of 4.0 make it very demanding of memory, and it was in constant
conflict with System 7.5 and our network. System 7.5 does have same
advantages over 7.1, so we didn't want to give that up.
======================================================
FromTexas: Go back to 7.1 or get the patch for 7.5 (it's on the Internet.)
======================================================

As you can see there is no consensus about which is at fault.

Claire Simpson
South Valley School
Moorestown NJ 08057
Clairesimp@aol.com