[This also posted in software forum]

Fresh installation of Mandrake Official 10.0 and StarOffice 7. Adabas and Product Update 3 are also installed. Java refused to install itself, saying that there was no console. Sub-directories in which installed:

/usr/local/staroffice
/usr/local/adabas

Twice I have changed settings in Tools -> Options including page size (Letter to A4), language (US English to UK English) and several others. OK and exit program. On restarting, I am again greeted with the invitation to register, although I have earlier said that I am already registered. The changed settings have gone back to their defaults, i.e., Letter, US English, etc.

Once I got this message: StarOffice 7 <2>
Could not create backup copy.

I have made two one-page files and taken print-outs. Each time, on quitting the program I received the messages

Error saving the document file: ///usr/local/staroffice/user/basic/script.xlc/:
General Error.
General input/output error.

followed by the same as above except file dialog.slc/:

I have never had this problem with SO 7 in Windows. The configuration file of SO 5.2, though, would get corrupted, so after quitting the program I would routinely over-write it with a good copy.

There are two options that you can use when you install.
You can install SO 7 either as a root or as a user. I guess you installed SO 7 with root privilege but you didn't use '-net' option. If you installed SO 7 without '-net' option and run the program as a user it would not work properly.
Only root can use the program. So here is the solution. If you want to install SO 7 systemwide, means let every user on the system to use, you have to use '-net' option when you install, then after installation every user has to run 'setup' in the directory in which SO 7 is installed. If you want use SO 7 as a single user you have to install it in you home directory. More details can be found at Chapter 4 in SETUP GUIDE that can be downloaded from where you downloaded SO 7.

Thanks, Simjii. I expect I shall have to remove the program before I re-install it the way you say I should. Silly to assume that README files tell you all there is to know about installing software.

[EDIT] Took perhaps 15 minutes to get the job done. Have checked, and all is well now. You may have heard of the ancient custom that a person who saved the life of another became responsible forever for the one whose life had been saved. Well, from now on you are responsible for me.