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From: nelson@bolyard.wpd.sgi.com (Nelson Bolyard)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.ms
Subject: Versions of MS Windows apps (e.g. WFW)
Message-ID: <1990Nov14.053941.21539@odin.corp.sgi.com>
Date: 14 Nov 90 05:39:41 GMT
Sender: news@odin.corp.sgi.com (Net News)
Distribution: na
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc., Mountain View, CA
Lines: 36

I run Windows 3.0 on my 386 DX system in Enhanced 386 mode.  I got a demo
version of Excel for Windows from Microsoft and when I try to run it, it
tells me that it is for an older version of Windows.  When I click on "OK"
telling Windows to go ahead and try it, it immediately exits from Windows
back to the COMMAND.COM prompt.  (Well, at least they warned me that might
happen!).

This makes me painfully aware that if I am going to buy Word for Windows or
EXCEL for windows, I MUST be sure that I am buying a version that is
compatible with Windows 3.0. I know a software discounter that has GREAT
prices but no refunds.  If I buy WFW or EFW from him, and it isn't the
right version, I could be out some major dollars.

Trouble is, I've looked at a lot of packages of Word and Excel for windows 
in stores, and I have never seen any mention of which version of Windows 
the stuff works with.  I'd really HATE to buy some software, get it home,
and discover it all didn't work.  I've been told that If I run Windows in
REAL mode, it would work, but I've had trouble getting that to work, and in
any case that doesn't seem like a good solution.

Some questions:

1.  Is it possible to tell in the store a new package from an old one?
    If so, how?

2.  Does MicroSoft have an inexpensive upgrade policy?  
    If I buy an obsolete package (e.g. Word for Windows 2.x) will it cost 
    me almost as much as the price of a brand new package to upgrade?  

3.  Can I get a Demo version of WFW and EFW that works with windows 3.0??

Please e-mail to an address below.
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Nelson Bolyard  nelson@sgi.COM  {decwrl,sun}!sgi!whizzer!nelson  415-335-1919
Disclaimer: Views expressed herein do not represent the views of my employer.
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