Sudden problem with Lotus Approach Millennium Edition?
I have been a user of Lotus Approach Millennium Edition since I got it as part of a package with a new PC about 10 years ago. When I upgraded to XP from Windows 98 it continued to work normally, even though I know there are some 'issues' with running Approach in XP. I use Approach for storing records of my extensive CD collection, lists of contacts and contact details for the musicians I work with on a regular basis.
I changed to a Mac about a year ago and, unable to find a suitable database to run on the Mac that could read the DBF-based Approach files, decided to keep the PC so I could use the programs for which there seem to be no Apple equivalents (eg Approach, Microsoft Autoroute, etc). After several years of trouble-free use on the PC running XP, Approach has suddenly started to refuse to launch properly and freezes the PC every time I try to load it into memory. The opening display is corrupted and reaches a certain point on the load and then freezes the PC. Oddly, all other Lotus programs are still running just fine. As I have all the original CDs, I uninstalled Lotus SmartSuite and re-installed it from scratch, assuming that the Approach.exe file had simply somehow become corrupted. Unfortunately, the re-installation has had no effect and I am still unable to launch the Approach software.
Any ideas what I might try next to remedy the situation? I have done all the usual virus and malware scans, none of which seem to make any difference to the problem.
Alternatively, I would be content to be able to run a suitable relational database on the Mac which would be able to read my Approach files (several thousands of records dating back many years that I don't want to have to enter again!). I know I can open the DBF files in a spreadsheet (such as Excel), but that doesn't give me the display and search options that a database does.
Any ideas, anyone?
Thanks, i.jones. I've tried the OpenOffice database. It doesn't even recognise the DBF files from Approach, so that's a non-starter, sadly. Will try to follow-up on your other suggestion.