Cannot open multiple documents in Word 2003; no save prompt on clo

[Jefffffffff]

I have two problems with Word 2003.

First, regardless of any changes made to a document, when I close the
application I do not get a prompt asking if I want to save the changes.

Second, I cannot open more than one document at a time. If I have a
document open, and I try to open a second document, it flashes the second
document on the screen briefly and then closes it, leaving me with my first
document open. There are no windows minimized to the taskbar, and there are
no documents (other than the first document I opened) listed in the Window
menu of Word.

I have installed all updates and service packs, and I am not using any 3rd
party add-ins. I even tried uninstalling all Office related applications and
reinstalling. No dice.

This has been going on for quite some time now, and I cannot find ANY
information that seems to relate. I am begging for help here, so anything is
appreciated. Thanks in advance.

.. o O (I was having the same problem with 2007, but I uninstalled it. I'll
get 2003 working properly FIRST, then wrestle with 2007.)

 

[Terry Farrell]

Start Word in Safe Mode and test. From Start, Run type in

winword /a

and press enter. Are you able to open multiple documents now?

 

[Jefffffffff]

Yes, that works. And it also brings up the prompt asking to save changes
when I change the document.

Which I suppose begs the questions: what does running it in safe mode do
compared to running it normally, and how can I fix it?

But thank you VERY much for the reply. At the very least, I have a
temporary solution.

.. o O (I didn't even know Word had a safe mode. RTFM I guess.)

 

[Terry Farrell]

Opening using the /a switch launches Word in its default install mode
bypassing all macros, templates, normal, printer driver or any other
customizations. My guess is that there is some incompatible third party
add-in messing with Word. Usually this will be a template in the Word
Startup folder though it may be a sneaky COM add-in.

Terry

 

[Jefffffffff]

This seems to be the most common cause. But as far as I can tell, I don't
have any add-ins. I mean, I was pretty thorough in my uninstallation.

Anyway, thanks for letting me know. Now I know where to start looking to
see what it is that is interfering with Word.

.. o O (Probably going to take me a while to re-clean house.)