TO FRUHULDA: Problem Now Extends to This Page

Hi again, Fruhulda . . .

If I didn't know better, I would say I must be losing my marbles. Now I can't even respond to your questions.

Within the past 30 minutes or so, I received a message stating my last response to you was not posted.

I clicked on the option to reclaim the previously unposted message, but only a blank page showed up . . . so I wrote another response and clicked on the highlighted option in the lower right corner.

I can't tell if you will receive it or not, because it was not added to this thread, and when I tried to view another page, this space was again blank and I was asked if I wanted to leave without saving an open document.

I tried again two more times, and the same thing happened. Finally had to acknowledge that I wanted to leave the page , with unsaved changes remaining . . . and start a new thread.

The gist of the message that was not posted, was simply that I was wrong regarding the disappearance of Spotlight and Dashboard. In my frustration, I had just overlooked the icon for Spotlight, and was able to restore dashboard to the desktop simply by creating a new alias for it.

But I'm not sure your suggestion that I might need a newer version of AW makes sense. Here's why: I have never had a problem with the current application in the almost 6 years since I purchased this computer, which came with the current version of AW. Although the installation disk included an option for the Classic OS (9.2), I had no reason to use it, because the back-up computer on my network (which I used mainly for older software and documents also was on its last legs) and this iBook did not accept the older software.

But what also confuses me is why Disk First Aid (on the Software Installation Disk) no longer works, either. I haven't tried the other Disk Utilities yet, but will. But according to the information on the disk itself, it also came with my current iBook.

Although I routinely ignore the Software Update notices (except for Safari), because I don't use Airport, and have never had a problem the few times I've used iPhoto or iTunes, and have been concerned about rocking the boat, so to speak . . . I guess it's possible that while distracted, I might have inadvertently OK'd a system upgrade. Especially since I started with OS 10.4 and according to the system profiler, now am operating with 10.4.11.

While I'm not sure that ever happened, I can't think of any other reason for my current OE to reject both original files; but if so . . . is there anywhere on the Apple website to find upgrades for those applications?

While I will, of course, update if that is what's needed, to be honest, I'm still not convinced that something in the AW software wasn't corrupted when the application froze (or vice versa). But Safari, the other site involved in the transfer of data seems to be working fine; which makes it look like the problem is in AppleWorks. (It's still not my favorite word processing application, but unless I resort to text edit to access all my old documents and reformat them for word or InDesign) it's starting to look like my only other option is to reinstall those two problem applications and(as you suggested) use the opportunity to clean up other errant problems.,