Buffer Overrun Error in Word 2007

[Brian17]

Hi, I am getting a buffer overrun visual C++ error (program must be
terminated...) error in Word 2007. At first I thought it was specific to one
particular document I was working on, but I was able to duplicate the error
in a new blank sheet.

I opened a new doc, typed in one word, right clicked it and picked "Lookup"
from the context menu. The research task pane opens on the right side, but
the error appears in a dialog box and I have to click OK to close the program.

I've been looking this up and the only references to it I can find are with
the older versions of Word and the KB article here
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=555220

I have no COM add-ins loading and this happened again even when starting
word with add ins disabled. Any thoughts???? I'm seeing this on 3 different
WinXP machines with Word 2007.

Thanks!
Brian in NY

 

[Beth Melton]

If you are encountering a Visual C++ error then the cause is an add-in. If
you viewed the Add-ins list in Word Options, as in previous versions, it
doesn't show you all Add-ins -- only those that are per user are listed and
not those that are installed per machine.

When you say you "started Word with add-ins disabled" how did you do this?
Did you use the /a switch or hold Ctrl while starting Word to start in Safe
Mode? If not, hold the Ctrl key while starting Word. Continue holding Ctrl
until you are prompted to start in Safe Mode and see if the error continues
to occur.

Additionally, Methods 3 and 4 in the article are applicable. For Method 3
use these steps for Word 2007:
- Click the Office Button
- Click Word Options
- Click Trust Center
- Click the Trust Center Settings button

There you will find Macro Security and Trusted Publishers described in the
article. (Medimum Macro Security is equivalent to "Disable all macros with
notification")

For Method 4, use this link to download the Process Explorer (I need to get
the link updated in the article):
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email cannot be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Coauthor of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[Brian17]

Hi Beth, thanks for taking the time to reply. As I was reading through your
post, I was also running the Word 2007 diagnostics thru Office Btn->Word
Options-> Resources. When the diagnostic check finished, it indicated that 1
error was fixed. No details about that error provided.

I then closed Word 2007, reopened it and tried to duplicate the error and
wouldn't you know it, the visual basic error did not appear.

Thanks for the assistance. If anyone sees this error, run diagnostics first,
then try the steps outlined by Beth below.
-Brian

 

[Beth Melton]

Thanks for the update, Brian. I heard the Office Diagnostic function also
checked for add-ins causing errors and disabled them but have never had the
opportunity to fully test it. I think it's something I'll start recommending
more and see if others have the same success as you did.

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email cannot be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Coauthor of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/