Can't click out of a message box...help!

Question

Hi. I'm on an iMac G4 intel duo, was working on an AW document when "the application unexpectedly quit". Upon relaunching, I got a little window that reads: Recovering file 'retail' (retail's the name of the file...) This file was not closed properly and a newer version is available. Open the newer version? And below that, three options: Cancel, Last saved and Auto-saved. Auto-saved has a bold-lined border around it over the usual oval. No option is highlighted. Nothing happens when I click on any option. No other Appleworks documents are accessable until I get this thing to go away. Tried restart, zap p-ram, trashing a huge recent items list, nothing! I have to force quit AW to get the dialog box gone, can't quit it from the top menu or control-Q. A friend suggested updating from AW6.0.9 to the later 6.2.9 version, and when I downloaded the update and clicked on it, it sent me into Entourage. WHAT'S GOIN' ON???????? Thanks, anyone!

Answer 1

"I'm on an iMac G4 intel duo"
No you're not (grin). "G4" and "intel duo" refer to the processor used in the machine—an IBM/Motorola G4 or an Intel Core Duo. The G4 was used in the 'basketball' or 'table lamp' iMac. If your 20" iMac is the white rectangular one it's either a G5 (if it's more than a couple of years old) or an intel core duo (if it's relatively new). About this Mac, in the Apple menu, will tell you for sure.
Zapping the pram wouldn't be among my suggestions, but trashing AppleWorks's preferences files would. Quit AppleWorks, then go to Mac HD > yourname > Library > Preferences.
In the Preferences folder, find and trash the file com.apple.appleworks.plist.
Still in the Preferences folder, find and open the AppleWorks folder. Trash the files found here. (exception: If you've made changes to the Button Bar, keep the button bar prefs file.)
If you are willing to give up the changes made in the file since you last saved it, you may be able to clear the current error by quitting AppleWorks (you may have to Force Quit — option-command-esc) then trashing the contents of the Auto Save folder.
Your friend is correct regarding updating. Version 6.2.4 is the first that is stable in OS X; 6.2.7 is to be avoided because of bugs; 6.2.9 corrects those bugs and adds scroll wheel support.
See the second post in this thread for links to the AppleWorks 6.2.9 updater. Be sure that you get the correct language version to match the version you have installed on your machine.
Regards,
Barry