Cannot open MS Office programs after re-installing

[nyrunner]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4.11 (Tiger)
Processor: Power PC

"When trying to start up office i got a error report so tried uninstalling
and reinstall, now when i try to install office 2004 i get a error message
and says that it needs to close when using the office setup assistant any
ideas on how i can install office"

I am having the same problem as the above quoted post!!! MS Office was
working just fine, then all of a sudden I couldn't open Entourage after that,
the spell check in Word stopped working. I removed Office with the Office
removal app and then installed from my original disk - even when I bypass the
office assistant and copy fold to the HD the program gives me an error when I
open it because it automatically runs the setup assistant - I can't get past
the agreement to enter the product code. I have searched online and followed
all the recommended fixes - nothing has worked!! I reloaded my OS and updated
to 10.4.11 by copying it to my desktop then updating...I even tried to
install my old Office X and that didn't work! I am going crazy! please - any
suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks!!!

 

[Diane Ross]

I am having the same problem as the above quoted post!!! MS Office was
working just fine, then all of a sudden I couldn't open Entourage after that,
the spell check in Word stopped working. I removed Office with the Office
removal app and then installed from my original disk - even when I bypass the
office assistant and copy fold to the HD the program gives me an error when I
open it because it automatically runs the setup assistant - I can't get past
the agreement to enter the product code. I have searched online and followed
all the recommended fixes - nothing has worked!! I reloaded my OS and updated
to 10.4.11 by copying it to my desktop then updating...I even tried to
install my old Office X and that didn't work! I am going crazy! please - any
suggestions would be appreciated!

How did you "reload" your OS?

Your original problem and continuing problems indicate your base OS files
have serious problems. You might need to do an "Archive & Install".

How full is your hard drive?

If you create a new User in System Preferences, does Entourage open there?

 

[nyrunner]

I did an archive & install with my Tiger disk then downloaded the update
combo for PPC that brought me to v10.4.11. I cannot launch any MS office app
even after downloading the Office updates (went all the way to 11.5.2 because
11.5.1 still gave me problems). I have 11GB of free space on my HD, I ran
applejack in the AUTO mode which is recommended for a deep cleaning. I am at
a loss - almost ready to buy a new HD and start fresh - I just don't want to
have the expense if it isn't going to fix the problem. I am a vanilla Mac
user I don't try anything tricky because I rely on my computer for school.
Thanks for your help because I am really at a loss!

 

[Diane Ross]

11GB is probably not enough. You need a minimum of 10% free space. Since you
did an "Archive & Install", did you delete the previous system folder. That
takes up a lot of space.

If you are planning on getting a new drive, I would install everything fresh
rather than trying to migrate and possibly bring over old problems. After
you get up and running you can use the old drive for Time Machine.

Since you rely on your computer for school, you can take your time setting
up the new drive and still be able to switch over to your old drive to get
work done. I suspect you can get the basics over pretty quickly though.

 

[nyrunner]

I made a new User and was able to launch all of the programs in MS Office -
thanks so much!!!
Is there any way to fix my original User account in the system?

Again, thanks for your help!!!

 

[Diane Ross]

I made a new User and was able to launch all of the programs in MS Office -
thanks so much!!!

Testing in a new User indicates it's your User's folder.

1) Test to see if it's your Identity by creating a new Identity
2) If a new Identity works in your User's folder, then you can try
rebuilding. Make a duplicate in the Finder before rebuilding.
3) If a new Identity fails, then follow the steps on this page:

Troubleshooting Your User Account for a Problem

Again, thanks for your help!!!

You're welcome and good luck on finding the problem.