Computer Operating System

[Brian EA]

This is not a tax question, however I am sure that we have a lot of Tech guys on this board who will be able to assist with Windows 7 question
My 2nd computer has XP professional. The new computer has Windows 7 professional
On the XP computer I can save information on Form 941 . Windows 7 does not allow me to insert any info.
Any help would be very much appreciated
thanks
brian

[FEDUKE404]

Wild guess

Are you sure the version of the tax software you are using is fully compatible with Win 7?

Some/many/most software programs will work well in both Win XP and Win 7 environs....and some will not. Suggest you check with your software provider...they likely would provide the "newer" version for free, usually as a download.

Another issue to consider (yeah, this is over my head!) is dealing with the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems. That could well be the underlying cause.

I kinda miss Win XP.

Good luck.

FE

[Justataxguy]

Another Wild Guess

Doesn't 7 Pro have an "XP" mode? I'm still using XP on the tax 'puter, and have a laptop with 7 Home Premium, so I'm not really familiar with 7 Pro.

[Bees Knees]

If you are trying to save info on a 941, I am assuming you are talking about a PDF file that has a fill-in-print feature. Most forms from the IRS website (and most State websites) have PDF files that allow the user to type in data on the form, save it, and print it (usually with little or no calculations).

If this is what you are referring to, then what is happening is you do not have an updated PDF program (such as Adobe) on your new Windows 7 computer that allows you to do that. You need to download the latest version of your PDF program that is compatible with your Windows 7 computer.

I have several computers still using XP and a couple of computers using Windows 7. Despite Windows claim that Windows 7 can handle all XP software, it cannot. The XP software will load on the Windows 7 machine, but there is almost always some little feature that does not work. I found that I had to either buy or download new upgrades for most of my software in order for it to work on Windows 7.

[Bees Knees]

Doesn't 7 Pro have an "XP" mode? I'm still using XP on the tax 'puter, and have a laptop with 7 Home Premium, so I'm not really familiar with 7 Pro.

I tried that for awhile, but it was a dog. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. You are better off just buying upgrade versions for all of your software that doesn't fully work on Windows 7.

[Brian EA]

My computer is a 64 bit machine with windows 7 Professional and running with XP mode. Adobe reader is also installed with the latest update.
I was wondering if there is any special or additional software that I can download or purchase to fix this problem
Drake is my tax software

[Gretel]

That is weird. I have the same set-up and no problem with PDF but I also have Adobe Acrobat.

[FEDUKE404]

Other things to review

I'm still unclear as to where this 941 is coming from. IRS or similar site ("fill-in" form) or from within your tax software?

If from your tax software, did you do a complete RE-install of the software...meaning going through the complete installation process using a CD or downloading/installing a 64-bit version from a web site? Don't even think about copying anything (except your data files) from the old computer! While your software may run (or it might not run at all!), you must do a clean install on the new computer. If this all fails, you need to get in touch with your tax software vendor (Drake) as they probably have heard of this problem with other users.

If you are simply having problems making an external, stand-alone PDF file work, first step is to be sure you also have the correct Adobe software installed and upgraded to current conditions. IIRC, there may be 32-bit and 64-bit versions rattling around...be sure you have the correct one installed. When in doubt, go to their web site, read carefully to be sure you "find" the correct version, and download/reinstall it.

Another slim but realistic possibility: Your antivirus/firewall software may be hindering something. Be sure there are no conflicts with pop-ups or scripts.

Also worth a check: Assuming you have "maintenance" software, I would do a full repair scan as you may be having some registry and/or missing links problems. Conflicts in that area can create some very "unusual" errors.

FE

[ChEAr$]

pdf files

One thing I noticed last week when trying to download a form from IRS and then saving it is that the file name was
"f8xxxx2012(something or other) dot pdf dot htm."
After saving it and then later calling it up, one sees a web page (re the htm on the end of th efile name). and it cannot be filled in.
But then when downloading it again, and the subdirectory dialog box was on the screen, I neatly chopped off the last "dot htm" and it saved correctly in pdf format and is fillable . ? able to be filled in.
and saved.

[taxmesoftly]

XP on your new computer

Can you ask your IT guy to install XP on the new computer? I would.

BTW, I had to change computers in the middle of tax season. I now have a touch screen and windows 8. Drake software looks so small and doesn't interface well with it. I need a magnifying glass to work on my new computer! IF YOU ARE THINKING OF SWITCHING TO WINDOWS 8, DON'T DO IT! It's another crappy operating system! I would ask for him to install the XP on the new computer. Im doing the same thing after tax season, I will deal with this Windows 8 problem after a short vacation.

[Snaggletooth]

Remember Roberta Flack?

Tax Me Softly? is there a song??

...you gotta be kidding!!!

Seriously, thanks for the warning about Windows 8. Microsoft tries to twist our arms to buy their latest crap, and they were successful
for a long time. Interesting was the saga with Vista - they had such a hard time selling it that they tried to FORCE it on buyers by discontinuing
their stable XP platform. The consumers won this time - the result was people just wouldn't buy new computers at all and hung on to their XPs.
After that absolute disaster, MS scrapped Vista and moved on to Windows 7.

I just hope XP is still available. Never know when my computer is going to die...

[Gary2]

After that absolute disaster, MS scrapped Vista and moved on to Windows 7.

I thought Windows 7 was just Vista.1. In other words, Vista with the customer complaints fixed.

[Brian EA]

I am going to hang in there (just stop short of hanging my self) until the tax season ends and get rid of Windows 7, replacing it with XP.

[geekgirldany]

I've never had any problems with Windows 7 and consider it a very stable os. Drake worked fine until this tax season. I believe it is on Drake's side thought because my brother printer had problems and pdf printing causes a crash. I gave up on support trying to find a resolution. I uninstalled all PDF printing software and it still does not work.

Just as well to get use to Windows 7. Windows XP is officially not for sale any longer but you can find some stores online that will sell you a copy. Update Support for Windows XP will end in April 2014.

[S T]

Oh Dani,
I don't want to hear Drake has an issue with Win 7 - I have a machine with Win7 that I have to set up after 4/15

Right now I am on still---- the old XP platform

I have been having all kinds of issues with Adobe - crashes all the time - I think Lion posted on the PDF issue as well relating to another matter - don't remember the post.

Sandy