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gg5180
Participant
October 27, 2020
Question

FrameMaker 8 installs but does not launch

  • October 27, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 385 views

When I double-click the executable, FrameMaker 8 doesn't open. The exe shows in Task Manager as a Background Process. No errors during the install. This works on a separate laptop running Windows 10, but not my new one that is running Windows 10. 

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

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2 replies

Barb Binder
Community Expert
Barb BinderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 27, 2020

It sounds like you got lucky with the other laptop. FrameMaker 8 was designed to run on Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows XP. Try the Windows compatibility mode as per @kglad or try to track down a computer with one of the older operating systems installed. 

 

~Barb 

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
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gg5180Author
Participant
October 29, 2020

Thanks for the replies. @Barb Binder Yes, I agree with you on the lucky part. I tried different Windows compatibility modes but nothing worked. As the use of FrameMaker 8 is temporary, at least I have the loaner laptop for now.

Bob_Niland
Community Expert
Bob_NilandCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 29, 2020

You could also look into installing a virtual machine (VM) on Win10, and then installing an older Windows on that to host FM8 (assuming you have full-install media/license/CDcode for the older Windows). Be sure to disallow network access to the older Windows instance.

I was running FM7 under WindowsXP in the XP Mode VM on Windows 7, up until Mr.Bill pulled the plug on Win7. XP Mode was also not carried forward by MS into Win10, but similar VMs exist that can host arbitrary other operating systems. There's probably some limit to how old you can go with software, due to x86-64 not supporting some early instruction sets.

    kglad
    Community Expert
    kgladCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 27, 2020

    restart your problematic computer and retry opening.

     

    if that fails, fm8 (from 2007) probably not compatible with your newer computer with newer os.  you could try reinstalling using compatibility (with an older ~2007-2008 os) mode.

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