Issue:
When attempting to open a MacWrite file, you see an alert that says "Application is busy or missing", or "The document XXX could not be opened, because the application program that created it could not be found".
Solution:
You're trying to open the file by double-clicking on it. This method will attempt to open the file into the old MacWrite application, not MacWrite II, MacWrite Pro or ClarisWorks. Instead, launch MacWrite Pro or ClarisWorks. Then select the Open command from the File Menu. If in ClarisWorks (versions prior to 2.1v1), select Word Processing for the document type. Locate the file in the Open dialog box, then open it.
Tip for System 7 Users:
You can also open the file by drop-launching it. To do this, while in the Finder, drag the MacWrite or MacWrite II file icon onto the MacWrite Pro (or ClarisWorks) program icon. When the program icon turns dark, release the mouse button.
Tip: There are third party utilities that will allow you to set an alternative application to open if the original cannot be found. In other words, by using one of these utilities, you can set your computer so that when you double-click on a MacWrite file, the file opens in ClarisWorks or MacWrite Pro. These utilities include SpeedyFinder7, HandOff or Easy Open.
Issue:
When attempting to open a MacWrite file using the Open command in the File menu of MacWrite II / Pro or ClarisWorks, either no window opens at all or you see an alert that says "The MacWrite translator cannot read this file."
Solution:
This file is saved from MacWrite 2.2 or MacWrite 1.0, the original versions of MacWrite. The translator included with MacWrite II/Pro cannot read these files.
To get these files into MacWrite II/Pro:
1) Open the files into MacWrite 5.0 or Microsoft Word
2) Save As a MacWrite 5.0 or Microsoft Word file.
3)Open these newly saved files into MacWrite II/Pro or ClarisWorks.
Note: MacWrite 5.01 will open and save using System 7.1 and earlier, but only on older Mac models (Quadra 700 and earlier). As a rough rule, if the Mac uses a System Enabler, MacWrite 5.01 may not launch.
Issue:
MacWrite files are not listed in the Open dialog box in MacWrite or ClarisWorks.
Solution:
Be sure that the translator files are installed properly. Please refer to the installation instructions included with MacWrite II, MacWrite Pro or ClarisWorks for installing the translators.
Note: The Easy Install option of MacWrite Pro and ClarisWorks automatically installs the translators. If, after installing the translators, your files still are not listed in the Open dialog box, do the following:
1) Quit the program
2) Locate and trash the file called "XTND Translator List". It's in the Preferences folder, which is in the System Folder
3) Relaunch MacWrite Pro or ClarisWorks