error message Main Spell is not installed

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Level 1

9 points

error message Main Spell is not installed

Error message.....................
"The Main Spell Dictionary is not installed."

This happens when using:

AppleWorks 6.0 through 6.1.2

The AppleWorks application has been moved from its original folder and now cannot find the Main Spell Dictionary file. Follow these steps to resolve the situation:

1. Quit AppleWorks.
2. Move the AppleWorks application program icon back to the AppleWorks 6 folder that was created by the installer.

3. Open AppleWorks.
*I tried the above solution and still get the same error message*

Keywords: kworks ktech

IMAC G5, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Apr 12, 2008 1:48 PM

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Answer 1

Peggy

Level 8

41,601 points

Apr 12, 2008 2:29 PM in response to swifty8

If you're using any version of AppleWorks before 6.2, you're running the OS 8/9 version. OS X support wasn't added until 6.2. The best versions for use in OS X are 6.2.4 or 6.2.9. Since AppleWorks was designated "end-of-life" it is difficult to find the updaters (especially the US/North American) on Apple's site. Here is the page with the links I have for the 6.2.9 updater. The page has a link to the North American updater in the upper right (the blue 15.8 MB) & links to other languages further down.

AppleWorks 6.2.9 for Mac

Whenever you do an update, it's a good idea to do two maintenance tasks, one for the system (Repair Permissions) and one for AppleWorks (delete preferences). (Thanks to Barry for this way to format this very common answer.)

To Repair permissions, launch Disk Utility, found in the Utilities folder in your Applications folder, click on First Aid, then on Repair Permissions.

To delete AppleWorks’ preference files, go to HD > Users > (your account) > Library > Preferences. Find and delete the file com.apple.appleworks.plist. Find and open the folder AppleWorks in this Preferences folder, then delete all of the enclosed files (with the exception of the Button Bar Preferences if you have customized the Button Bars). AppleWorks will recreate the preference files as it needs them.

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Answer 2

swifty8 Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 12, 2008 5:41 PM in response to Peggy

Hi Peggy:
I have Appleworks 6.2.9 for Mac OSX but I don't have the Main Spell Dictionary. I tried to download another version but the default won't let me install. My guess is that key missing application got lost or deleted by mistake.
Help or suggestions??
Archer Yates

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Answer 3

Barry

Level 9

59,861 points

Apr 12, 2008 9:18 PM in response to swifty8

Hi Archer,

The 'main dictionary' (ie. the spelling dictionary) for the Us English version of AppleWorks 6.2.9 is named "English - Spelling" and should be found in Applications > AppleWorks 6 > AppleWorks Essentials > Dictionaries.

With an AppleWorks word processing document open, go Edit > Writing tools > Select dictionaries...

In the Select Dictionaries dialogue, check the "Currently selected dictionary" section. If no dictionary (or the wrong dictionary) is selected, click Choose, then select the dictionary from the list in the Open dialogue that appears. "Main" dictionaries will be listed in black; everything else will be in grey.

If the folder or the dictionary is missing, and can't be found and returned to the proper location, you will have to reinstall AppleWorks from your computer's original installation disk(s) (if yours is a pre-intel consumer model) or from the AppleWorks installation disk (if AppleWorks was not part of the bndled software included with your Mac), then download and apply the AW 6.2.9 update from the link supplied by Peggy.

Regards,
Barry

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