If you encounter either of the following issues when using ClarisWorks 4.x, it is most likely caused by a corrupt entry in the System Registry:
-- Launching ClarisWorks 4.0 causes the application window to appear automatically minimized. ClarisWorks will appear in the Taskbar, and attempts to restore do not work. Double-clicking on a ClarisWorks file from the Explorer will also appear minimized, with the name of the ClarisWorks document showing up in the Taskbar.
-- Unexplained menu behavior, including not being able to see the menus (they are off the screen), or the menu commands themselves are unreadable.
If you encounter either of the above symptoms or other unexplained behavior in ClarisWorks 4.x, it is recommended that you delete the ClarisWorks for Windows section from the System Registry and restart ClarisWorks for Windows. Doing so will rebuild the contents of the System Registry and will allow your application to function normally once again.
ClarisWorks 4.0 for Windows 95 uses the Windows 95 System Registry to store information about the application as well as configuration parameters. The Registry is the central information database for Windows. Due to the importance of this file, great care must be taken when editing / modifying this file. It is recommended that only experienced users attempt to edit the Registry. It is also advisable to backup the Registry database before making changes. The Registry can be saved (exported) in text format as a .REG file by using the Registry Editor (REGEDIT.EXE). The Registry can later be restored (if necessary) by importing a .REG file that was created by exporting the Registry. Please consult your Windows 95 documentation for more information on the Registry Editor and backing up it's contents. Please do not attempt the following Registry edits if you are not comfortable doing so.
Editing the Registry to fix the issues mentioned above:
1. Close all open applications.
2. Click on the START button on the Taskbar and choose RUN.
3. In the OPEN dialog box, type REGEDIT and click OK.
4. In the REGISTRY EDITOR, double click on the HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder.
5. Under HKEY_CURRENT_USER, double click on the folder entitled SOFTWARE.
6. Under SOFTWARE, double click on the folder entitled CLARIS CORP.
7. Under CLARIS CORP., click once on the CLARISWORKS FOR WINDOWS folder.
8. With CLARISWORKS FOR WINDOWS highlighted, press the DELETE key on your keyboard.
9. Confirm that you want to delete the highlighted key.
Once you have deleted the ClarisWorks section of the Registry, close the Registry Editor (select EXIT from the REGISTRY menu) and relaunch ClarisWorks.