Problems Printing old CS1 files in CC

Question

Printing old files imported from CS1 in CC I get the following warnings:
Warning
  The document contains artwork that requires flattening.
  The document contains RGB images.
  The Document Raster Effects resolution is 72 ppi or less.
I really don't know where to begin?
I've changed the document color mode to CMYK - it was RGB originally.
The print preview screen is blank.
This doesn't seem to be the problem as other similar RGB documents print fine.
I've tried to flatten transparency after selecting all items, this doesn't work either.
Why the need to flatten artwork?
File contains gaussian blurs - the blurred items printed in a new file.
I don't think it is the less than 72ppi warning.
I print from Illustrator to PDF CC.
When I copy the paths/objects from one file to a new one the print preview and print work fine?
This is an impractical solution as there are 100s of sub-layers with hidden and locked items.
Thank you very much in advance.
Cheers
Mike

Answer 1

Mike,
If you have trouble installing/running the older versions in 8.1, you can just use Compatibility. At least from 8 to CS6 can run on XP, so CS1 and CS3 are right in the middle.
You may need to run the computer in an earlier mode, such as XP mode, to install it (you may try in normal mode first). Here is how:
How to Get a Windows XP Mode Virtual Machine on Windows 8.1
Once installed, you should be able to get it to run with the PC in normal mode as follows (first run):
1) RightClick the shortcut;
2) Click Properties;
3) Click Compatibility;
4) Tick Run this program in Compatibility mode for, then select XP or a later version in the dropdown list;
5) Start your good old version.
After that, you can just DoubleClick the shortcut.