Fix-PCLaw Crash 9.10b-Windows Accounting Software for Lawyers has stopped working

PROBLEM: PCLaw crashes right after you type in your password to your books. In no way can you login. You get the error message that “Windows Accounting Software for Lawyers has stopped working.”
FIX: Uninstall Internet Explorer 9, which should roll you back to Internet Explorer 8. PCLaw cannot function with Internet Explorer 9 unless you have PCLaw v10 Service Pack 5 Hotfix 3. Here’s the steps:
- Go to the Control Panel
- Go to Programs and Features
- Click on Installed Updates (in the left pane)
- Look under the Heading “Microsoft Windows”
- Right click on Windows Internet Explorer 9
- Select Uninstall
- Click Yes
- Click Continue
- Restart Your Computer
Explanation: PCLaw most likely uses Internet Explorer for some things under the hood. Apparently IE 9 breaks compatibility with the functionality of older versions of IE. Luckily, it looks like those who run XP will not be hit by the problem, as IE 9 won’t run on XP.
Hope this helps,
–Ben
Sources: Lexis PCLaw, Affinity Consulting, Microsoft Windows Support, Computerworld
about 8 years ago
I have new computers with Windows 7 and IE 11.
I’m using Chrome anyway. Should I uninstall IE 11? Any other solution or is an upgrade a must?
about 8 years ago
We have been using PCLaw v9.31 for a few years and have not upgraded, largely due to the cost and hassle. A new office computer is equipped with Windows 8.1, which has IE 11 installed, which of course blocks PCLaw. Any suiggestions other than biting the bullet and buying the upgrade?
about 8 years ago
Hi Mike,
Sent you an email response. For you out there, basically what I said was:
Unfortunately, I can’t think of a direct way to get your old version of PCLaw working on Windows 8.1 due to the IE 11 issue. However, I think it can work under a virtual machine. If you feel tech saavy enough (or have a geek friend or good IT guy), you should be able to install XP in a virtual machine and get PCLaw to work. (Please note that if you have a multi-user version, you will need to upgrade – otherwise it could get really messy).
Here is one article talking about how to get a virtual machine up and running: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2139983/compatibility-with-security-how-to-run-windows-xp-in-a-virtual-machine.html
Once you get the virtual machine up and running, you can install PCLaw on the virtual machine and then copy (or point it to) the current PCLaw files.
Good Luck!
about 9 years ago
Thank you thank you thank you for this post!
about 9 years ago
Thank you!!!
about 10 years ago
THANK YOU!
Why the heck is this a problem anyway?
about 10 years ago
Thanks for this post, i will try that.
about 11 years ago
Thanks muchly. Saved me a ton of time.
about 11 years ago
Thanks very much for the post, things look good now. Now I just need to know how IE9 made it on my computer.
about 11 years ago
Thank you so much for the PCLaw fix. You saved me lots of grief.
about 11 years ago
Glad it worked. Spending time on non-billable IT issues is frustrating.
about 11 years ago
Thank you for this tip. I had upgraded to IE9 and PCLaw stopped working, so I uninstalled it and of course, could not get it reinstalled. I have uninstalled the update, but can’t get PCLaw to install again…it keeps saying it needs to update and then just runs the setup file again. Any tips?
about 11 years ago
Where have you been all my life!! I was ready to pull my hair out!
Thank you so much!
about 11 years ago
I know the feeling. Feeling like your books have been locked from you and/or dead is a scary thought. Glad I could help!
–Ben
about 11 years ago
Thanks Ben. Good fix and it does work. Kept me from having to upgrade right now.
about 11 years ago
I’m glad I could help.
about 11 years ago
Thank you so much for this information and for the specific instruction to fix the issue. It solved the problem right away. Without this, I would surely have been on the phone for hours with PCLAW.