can't publish or preview

[gnorberg]

I am using Publisher 2003 on a Windows XP system. I have previewed my
website hundreds of times and have published it several times. Suddenly,
when I try to do either one of those things, the dialog box says it's
working...but it isn't. Nothing actually happens. It just sits there, and
the screen is frozen. Here's the creepy part: It happens on three different
computers...but two days ago they all worked fine. No new software on any of
them.

What on earth could cause this?

 

[DavidF]

My first guess is that you "upgraded" to IE7 from IE6? My second guess is
that you "patched" your computer, perhaps automatically by MSFT?

DavidF

"(e-mail address removed)"

 

[gnorberg]

David,

I upgraded to IE7 well over a year ago. This problem started two days ago.
I guess by "patch" you mean installed Microsoft Updates. No, that is not set
to automatic, and I haven't installed any new updates for months.

As I said earlier, the strange part is that this problem started at the same
time on three different computers...in two different buildings (no network).
My original thought was that it was a corrupted .pub file so I used copy and
paste to create a duplicate website and checked the web page preview
functionality after every page. It gave me previews every time...until page
37. I figured the corruption was in that page, so I deleted it and three
others before it. No help.

Although corruption seems reasonable, it doesn't track because the same
thing occurs on an earlier version of the file that was created over a year
ago. I'm bumfoozled.

 

[DavidF]

Run the Design Checker and see if that gives you any insight. You do have
everything on the page and not in the scratch area, right? Do you open the
file from the hard drive, and not a CD or thumb drive?

DavidF

"(e-mail address removed)"

 

[DavidF]

An additional guess...look at your firewall and antivirus or other security
settings. I would assume that all three computers are running the same
setup, so that would suggest that maybe your firewall is preventing both the
preview and ability to publish your site.

Anyway, try disabling your AV and Firewall for a preview, and then turn them
back on. Can you preview the page?

Try producing a new web publication from a template. Will that file preview?
If it does, then it would seem that the problem is file specific.

Try reading over this page, and maybe it will lead to a solution: How to
trouble-shoot Publisher web upload issues:
http://msmvps.com/blogs/dbartosik/pages/80560.aspx

DavidF

"(e-mail address removed)"

 

[gnorberg]

David,

I tried turning off the AV and firewall. No help. I didn't think that was
the problem since I was able to both preview and publish just two days
ago...and my AV and firewall settings have not changed.

The only item in the article you directed me to that pertained to me was the
question of whether some of my web pages were outside the normal area and
into the "scratch" area. I checked. Some of the pages were a half-pixel too
wide, so I widened the page by two pixels in Page Setup. No help.

I have created a new web page from a template and, yes, it does preview. I
could understand that this problem is caused by a corrupt .pub file, but it
is also happening with an older version of the website.

I just ran the Design Checker...or tried to. It got three seconds into
checking and froze the program solid. I had to control-alt-delete my way out
of it. Tried again. Same results.

I seem to be more bumfoozled than ever.

 

[DavidF]

Greg,

Bummer. It sounds like a corrupt file.

What are you running for AV and a firewall? Onecare from MSFT?

Sometimes just widening a page just distorts the layout, and might not cure
the overlap into the scratch area. If you have text boxes or images in the
scratch area, move or resize them so they don't, and try again.

I would empty all temp folders including IE cache, and reboot of course...

When all else fails for me, I start deconstructing the file. You tried
deleting some pages. Try deleting all but the first page and see if you can
preview that page. Then if that is successful, delete all but two pages,
etc, until you add a page that causes the problem. Study that page for
overlaps, perhaps drag the images off into the scratch area to test...look
for what it is on the page that might cause the problem. Look at
everything...just because it worked before doesn't mean it will always work.

Are you using a Master Page in your design? You shouldn't. Do you have Tools

Options > Web tab "rely on VML..." and "Allow Png..." unchecked? Its tough

to trouble shoot...

And though this might not fix the file, personally. I would go to Help >
Detect and Repair and see if perhaps Publisher can heal itself.

I'll keep thinking about it, but hopefully someone else will jump in with an
idea or two...

How big is the file? If it isn't too big, then use YouSendIt.com to upload a
copy, send the link to yourself, and then post the link so I or others can
download it....if you are comfortable with that.

DavidF

"(e-mail address removed)"

 

[gnorberg]

David,

I am using AVG 7.0 anti-virus. Also the Windows firewall. I'm not using
Onecare.
I'm not using a master page.

The Publisher file is huge, 19MB (47 pages packed with pictures...months of
work) so sending it is not very workable.

Thanks for all the great ideas, David. I'll go to work on the procedures
you outlined immediately.

 

[DavidF]

Greg,

If you are talking about the free version of AVG, there is a more current
version 7.5. You might download and install it...can't hurt. I use the free
ZoneAlarm firewall, so can't comment on the windows firewall, but you might
also try ZoneAlarm vs. windows...it is superior.

With so many pictures, that would seem to be a yellow flag of sorts. I hate
the idea of you having to delete one page at a time to find the error,
especially if that doesn't work. But I am running out of ideas.

Be sure to compress all your images: Reference: Compress graphics file sizes
to create smaller Publisher Web pages:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher/HA011266301033.aspx

And though it probably doesn't apply since you can open the document, maybe
reference: How to troubleshoot a damaged publication in Publisher:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/198256/en-us

And, though I am not a big fan of installing patches as they tend to
actually break things while trying to fix other things, if you haven't
already installed the Office 2003 SP3 you might try it. If it doesn't help
you can't uninstall it. You have to uninstall Office 2003, or Pub 2003 and
reinstall the program. So be sure you have your installation media and key
codes that you will need to reinstall Publisher.

Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (SP3):
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...49-3E13-433B-B9D2-5E3C1132F206&displaylang=en

Please let us know what happens.

DavidF

"(e-mail address removed)"

 

[gnorberg]

David,

I looked again. I do have AVG 7.5, and since I paid for it I guess I'll
stick with it. I also have SP3 for Office.

Thanks for the reminder on compressing images. I haven't done it yet
because there was a problem finding the Image Optimizer button. It only
resides on the Picture toolbar, and is only visible after you press the
"Reset Toolbar" button. I spent days trying to find the blessed thing.

Thanks again for all your help, David. Here's hoping your ideas will bring
solutions.