You receive a "Microsoft Works 8.0 has encountered an error and needs to close" error message when you try to open a calendar in Works 8.0 or in Works Suite 2005 (909529)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 8.0
  • Microsoft Works Suite 2005
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

When you try to open a calendar in Microsoft Works 8.0 or in Microsoft Works Suite 2005, you receive an error message that is similar to the following error message:
Microsoft Works 8.0 has encountered an error and needs to close.
When you view the data in the error report, the report contains an error signature that is similar to the following error signature:
Application name  Application version  Module name  Module version  Offset
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
wkscal.exe        8.4.623.0            wkcalac.dll  8.4.623.0       00066736

CAUSE

This issue occurs if either of the following conditions is true:
  • The mswkscal.wcd file is corrupted.
  • The calendar file has reached a very large size.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
  1. Change the computer settings to show hidden files, folders, and file name extensions. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. On the desktop, double-click My Computer.
    2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
    3. In the Advanced settings list, click Show hidden files and folders under Hidden files and folders.
    4. Click to clear the Hide extensions for known file types check box, and then click OK.
  2. Back up the original mswkscal.wcd file. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. Click Start, click Search, and then click All files and folders.
    2. In the All or part of the file name box, type mswkscal.wcd, and then click Search.

      Note The default location of the mswkscal.wcd file is the following folder:

      Drive:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Works

    3. Copy the found mswkscal.wcd file to the desktop to create a backup of the mswkscal.wcd file.
  3. Remove Works 8.0 from the computer. To do this, follow these steps.

    Note If you have already removed Works 8.0 from the computer, go to step 4.
    1. Click Start, click Run, type appwiz.cpl in the Open box, and then click OK.
    2. In the Currently installed programs list, click Microsoft Works 8.0, and then click Remove.
  4. Run the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility (msicuu2.exe). To do this, follow these steps:
    1. Download the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility. To download the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

      http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/9/D/E9D80355-7AB4-45B8-80E8-983A48D5E1BD/msicuu2.exe

    2. Save the msicuu2.exe file on the desktop.
    3. Double-click the msicuu2.exe file to install the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility.
    4. Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Install Clean Up.

      Note If Windows Install Clean Up is not listed, the msicuu2.exe program is probably not installed correctly. On the desktop, double-click the msicuu2.exe file. Then, try to install the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility again.
    5. In the Installed Products list, click all Works products, and then click Remove.
    6. Click OK, and then click Exit.
  5. Run the Works CleanUp Utility (wks8xp.exe). To do this, follow these steps:
    1. Insert the Works 8.0 installation CD or the Works Suite 2005 installation CD1 in the CD drive or DVD drive.

      Note Press SHIFT when you insert the CD to prevent the program from automatically starting.
    2. Locate the MSWorks\PSS folder on the installation CD.
    3. Copy the wks8xp.exe file in the PSS folder to the desktop.
    4. Remove the installation CD from the CD drive or DVD drive.
    5. On the desktop, double-click the wks8xp.exe file to run it.
  6. Manually remove all the Works entries. To do this, follow these steps.

    Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
    1. Delete the Microsoft Works folder that is located in the following folder:

      C:\Program Files

    2. Delete the Microsoft Works Suite 2005 folder that is located in the following folder:

      C:\Program Files

    3. Delete the Works folder that is located in the following folder:

      Drive:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft

    4. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
    5. Locate and then right-click the following registry subkey:

      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Works

    6. Click Delete, and then click Yes.
    7. Locate and then right-click the following registry subkey:

      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Works Suite

    8. Click Delete, and then click Yes.
    9. Locate and then right-click the following registry subkey:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Works

    10. Click Delete, and then click Yes.
    11. Locate and then right-click the following registry subkey:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Works Suite

    12. Click Delete, and then click Yes.
    13. Quit Registry Editor.
  7. Clean boot the computer, and then reinstall Works 8.0. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
    2. Click the Startup tab, and then click Disable All.
    3. Click the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
    4. Click Apply, and then click OK.
    5. Restart the computer.
    6. Reinstall Works 8.0.
    7. Return the computer to Normal Mode. To do this, follow these steps:
      1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
      2. Click the General tab, click Normal Startup, and then click OK to restart the computer.
  8. Start Works 8.0 or Works Suite 2005. Then, open the calendar.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/10/2005
Keywords:kbtshoot KB909529 kbAudEndUser kbAudITPRO
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.