You receive an error message when you are working in Works 8: "Microsoft Works 8 has stopped working"

When you are working in Microsoft Works 8.5, you receive the following error message: This error may occur when you are doing any of the following things:

• You are printing a Microsoft Works 8 Spreadsheet or Database file
• You are opening a Microsoft Works 8 Spreadsheet or Database file
• You are previewing a Microsoft Works 8 Spreadsheet or Database file
• You are formatting a Microsoft Works 8 Spreadsheet or Database file

If you are using a version of Works that is earlier than Works 8.5, you may receive the following error message: However, Works does not crash.

Microsoft has released an update that corrects this issue for Works 8.5. In versions earlier than Works 8.5, you can work around this issue by following the steps in the "Workaround" section later in this article. If you are not sure which version of Works is installed on your computer, you can follow these steps to determine your version:

1. Start any of the following Works programs:
   • Works Word Processor
   • Works Spreadsheet
   • Works Database
   • Works Calendar
2. On the Help menu, click About Microsoft Works.
3. The About Microsoft Works dialog box will display which version of Works you are using.

This update applies only to computers that are running Windows Vista or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). You cannot install this update on a version of Windows that is earlier than Windows XP SP2.

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
Download the Update for Microsoft Works 8 Spreadsheet and Works 8 Database package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=65f5b806-e6a1-4f92-a656-e56eeda67e3d&displaylang=en)

Works frequently queries the printer driver for information that Works needs when Works is formatting and printing a document. A damaged or outdated printer driver or an incorrect version of the driver for your hardware can cause an error to occur when you are working in a document, even if you are not currently printing the document.

To work around this issue, you should contact the manufacturer of your printer and ask if an updated printer driver is available for your printer. If an updated printer driver is available, you should download it and install it. Then try printing again. If this works, you do not need to follow the remaining steps in this article.

If no updated printer driver is available or if the problem persists after you install the most recent printer driver for your printer, ask if your printer manufacturer can suggest an emulation printer driver that you can use for your printer. An emulation printer driver is a driver that imitates the functionality of a different printer driver. For example, if you have an HP DeskJet printer, you might be able to resolve this issue if you install the driver for the HP DeskJet 550C printer. Use the following steps to install the emulation printer driver that is recommended by your manufacturer. If the manufacturer cannot recommend an emulation printer driver, use the following steps to install a generic printer driver. Make sure to follow the steps that are appropriate for your version of Windows.

Note By using a generic printer driver or an emulation printer driver, some features of your printer may not be available to you. For example, when you use the generic printer driver you will not be able to print graphics.

Windows Vista

To install a different printer driver on Windows Vista, follow these steps:

1. Click Start
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   , type printers in the Start Search box, and then click Printers in the Programs list .
2. On the left side of the page near the top, click Add a printer.
3. In the Add printer box, double-click Add a local printer.
4. Click Use an existing port, and then clickNext.
5. Under Manufacturer, click the manufacturer of your printer, for example,HP, and then under Printers, click the different printer that your manufacturer recommended, for exampleHP DeskJet 500C. If you could not obtain a recommended alternative printer driver from your manufacturer, click Generic under Manufacturer, and then click Generic/Text Only under Printers.
   
   Note By using a generic printer driver or an emulation printer driver, some printer features will not be available to you. For example, when you use the generic printer driver you will not be able to print graphics.
6. If you see "Which version of the driver do you want to use?" , click Use the driver that is currently installed (recommended), and then click Next.
7. Click to select the Set as the default printer check box, click Next, and then click Finish.
8. In the printer list, double-click the new printer.
9. On the Printer menu, click Properties.
10. On the Ports tab, click to select the appropriate port check box for your printer, and then click OK. For example, you can select LPT1 if your printer is connected to your computer (LTP1 is a port that is used by most computers to communicate with a local printer).

Windows XP

To install a different print driver on Windows XP, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes.
2. Click Add a printer under Printer Tasks.
3. Click Next on the first page of the Add Printer Wizard.
4. Click Local printer attached to this computer, make sure that the Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer check box is cleared, and then click Next.
5. Click the appropriate port, and then click Next. For example, you can select LPT1 if your printer is connected to your computer (LTP1 is a port that is used by most computers to communicate with a local printer).
6. In the Manufacturers list, click the different printer that your manufacturer recommended or click Generic.
   
   Note By using the Generic text only driver or an emulation printer driver, some features will not be available. For example, when you use the generic printer driver you will not be able to print graphics.
7. Click Yes when you are prompted whether Windows will use the printer as the default, and then click Next.
8. Click No when you are prompted to print a test page, click Next, and then click Finish.

For more information about Works 8.5, visit the following Microsoft Web site:For more information about how to download and to install a printer driver from your printer manufacturer, visit the following Microsoft Web site: