Unable to read dialog

Hello computer experts and programmer,
I have window98SE. I am facing problem after downloading a particular program whereas other people did not face the problem. This is an astrology program of free version from "vedicastrologer.com" website .The program is jagannath hora version 7.0.This program is in .zip file. Zip file was downloaded successfully and its setup.exe was running.Just before finishing dialog box,there is a selection of either of two choices for readme file. But this dialog does not appear in the box.So there is no choice than to click FINISH button.
When I give command to run the program by clicking its ICON, a dialog box of 'unable to read" opens and says that "The preference file is in an old format that is no longer supported. The old preferences will be ignored.The preferences you choose from now will be freshly saved ".
I do not understand all this. What preferences it is ? When I click OK then interenet explorer dialog comes stating it is an illegal operation. I have to close the program.
I tried to download it thrice but always facing the same problem.
Can any one give me a remedial solutions I shall be highly obliged to you learned members.
This program is suitable for window98 as declared by the programmer.
Pls.help me out. Thanks and regards.
mishrarc

 

Before I download this myself, is your current display settings set to something larger than 800x600 screen? I noticed the author or Guru (literally) stresses a value larger than 800x600. By larger I mean screen not text ie; 1024x768, 1280x1024 and 1600x1200. Also there are two versions or sizes for this program, being offered:
http://www.vedicastrologer.org/jh/index.htm

(1) You can download a 3.5 MB version. It contains an accurate ephemeris for 1800-2400 AD and uses an approximate planetary model for other years. It does not have the full atlas. It has a brief version of the help.

(2) You can download a 4.7 MB version. Compared to the above version, it contains more detailed online help and Indian fonts to display charts in Indian languages.

He also stresses Note: The zip files do not have any problem with them. If you are unable to unzip them after downloading them, it means that your download did not succeed for some reason. Keep trying until you succeed. While I don't believe this to be your problem or you wouldn't have been able to unzip it in the first place, I obviously have way to much idle time on my hands and this paragraph helped to pass some of that time idly.

---------
Let me know if the display size is "applicable" or "a factor ". If not, while I currently use xp versus win98, I will still download this and see if I can reproduce or suffer from your problem.

----Update-------
Well.......I went ahead and downloaded the larger of the two versions and as luck would have it, I did not get any dialog for any readme or help file option, during the setup. Just downloaded it. (Virus scanned it ) Right clicked and unzipped it to my preferred directory, within a named folder (Guru ). From this folder I clicked on the "setup.exe ", read and agreed to the "Software License Agreement, clicked yes, accepted the defaults for the install directory, clicked next and the install proceeded without further prompting. It left an icon on my desktop which opened the rather elaborate program (beyond my understanding). All functions, tabs and options, including any help files, work without a problem. I don't know what to say other than "did you download the larger 4.7 version "?

I guess, while I await for your return and feedback, I can try the other smaller download. I shall return....

I'm back. I tried the smaller download and still had no problems, either opening, changing options/preferences or saving the said same. I do understand a bit more of what you are describing and did notice that during the install/setup and while the "Finish" setup popup was displayed. There is line referencing an option choice for a readme file followed by a blank area where obviously at some point in time this may have had such. I can only guess that this was a left over from some point or stage that this software may have gone through during it's writing. Either that or it has been hacked or cut from these free versions.

As for the preferences, there are several *ini files saved in the root of c:\
C:\jhbodies.ini
C:\jhcolors.ini
C:\jhpath.ini
C:\jh.ini
C:\jhaddr.ini
Each is made, used and changed when either "you" change or set options or "automatically" when you exit the program. Perhaps one of these became corrupted. I did notice that you can rename these and they will be rebuilt when needed.

As for the explorer error, I'm not sure. Perhaps there is a problem with space in the root of c:\, perhaps it is program conflict (meaning this program and another you may have been running do not get along). I did copy this out of the help file for you:

Getting More Help

There is a yahoogroup called jhora for the users of Jagannatha Hora software. After subscribing to the list with a valid Yahoo ID, you can participate in discussions with other users of the "Jagannatha Hora" software. You can subscribe to the list from its homepage.

If you just need to get an answer to a query and do not want to subscribe to any yahoogroup, then just send an email to jhora_help@yahoogroups.com.

To learn more about Vedic astrology, you can also subscribe to the vedic-astrology yahoogroup. This list is meant for general Vedic astrology discussions. Another list called SriJagannath is meant for Sri Jagannath Centre students.

Perhaps an uninstall/reinstall of the program will help. Barring that it may be time to contact jhora_help.

 

Hi Ann. How are YOU ? I think you did not follow me. Whatever you have written that is all correct i.e. I downloaded 4.7 MB program in a zip file .Unzipped it and then installed it .Computer is telling that it is installed successfully, I clicked the FINISH button. Now I want to run the program so I double click its ICON. A window telling "Unable to read "dialog box aappears before me stating that :
The preference file is in an old format that is no longer supported. The old preferences will be ignored. The preferences you choose from now will be freshly saved . "
There is no other choice than to click OK button. No sooner I click OK button ,a dialog box of IE explorer emerges for that this is an illegal operation and window will be shut down. Click close button and the window closes.
I tried with the other shorter program also , there also same problem exists.
I do have all .ini files in my C:\ directory.Did you download and unzipped in window98 OS. If so is it working in your PC ? What I am thinking that this program is incompatible with window 98 .
Pls check up and suggest the remedy. Thanks and best wishes
mishrarc

 

Hello again mishrarc,

I didn't forget you but I am sorry for the delay in the return to this thread. Time just got away from me.

I have noticed that you took my advice and posted at one of those public boards that supports your application. I also noticed that the support response wasn't very helpful. I think this software was first released on the very day that you [we] downloaded it. While it is no longer the free Lite version but the full version and released out of the kindness of the author, willing to share the code [Open source]. As is often the case with new software, it may still be buggy and all the kinks may not have been ironed out in it yet. Perhaps, with time, a patch or "solutions for problems" will be offered. I also got the impression, that the Author/Guru does not particularly wish to respond or deal with questions about problems with this software. In other words, he has released it and it is up to the users to decide if they "wish to" or "can ", in this case, use it.

----Surprise! (at least I'm surprised)-----
...having opened another browser window, even while I was typing out my response to you, I decided to peek into the Yahoo group that supports your application and interests and see if there has been any further posts dealing with problems in the software. I was going to offer other steps in trying to figure out your Explorer_Illegal Operation error but this may not be necessary. Guess what?.....see below......

---Looks like your lucky day ------
Update...and I must apologize for thinking that the Guru was not going to offer support for this program and was going to leave some users to sort out their own problems. Shame on me!!!

It looks like the author may have this figured out and will be offering either a patch or fix:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vedic-astrology/message/50902

And his site has now posted this:
http://www.vedicastrologer.org/jh/

I guess time did help or will help in this case. I will keep an eye on the progress of the app and your personal progress. Please keep this post updated if and when the new fix is made available, whether it works for you (or not). I am curious how this will turn out.