Cursor/pointer problems

[state]

Recently everytime I use Microsoft Word 2002, the hourglass appears next to
the I-bar cursor every 5-10 seconds. Typing is halted but quickly restored
quickly releasing any typed characters that happened during stall. Has
anyone experience this or have a solution? I have unistalled Word twice and
the problem still exists. Has slowed my productivity tremendously. Thanks
in advance.

 

[Dian D. Chapman, MVP]

You probably have some type of indexing application running in
Windows. Have you recently installed a photo gallery program that
shows you all your pictures? Or some type of document locator program
running? If so...they are most likely running while you're not typing
and stall the process.

Uninstalling/reinstalling Word won't help because this is due to
something else running on your system. You need to figure out what you
have recently installed that is using your system. You can right click
on your Taskbar and choose Task Manager. Click the Processes tab and
click the Memory Usage column header to sort by that...so you can see
what else is running. Also...check to see what's in your SysTray.

Dian D. Chapman, Technical Consultant
Microsoft MVP, MOS Certified
Editor/TechTrax Ezine

Free MS Tutorials: http://www.mousetrax.com/techtrax
Free Word eBook: http://www.mousetrax.com/books.html
Optimize your business docs: http://www.mousetrax.com/consulting
Learn VBA the easy way: http://www.mousetrax.com/techcourses.html

 

[state]

Dian:

Thank you for your response. I recently installed several applications
including a kodak photo application and airline alert program. Checking Task
Manager showed a Kodak updater file to be running unbeknownst to me. I
uninstalled both applications and rebotted by system however the problem
still exists. You mentioned checking the sys tray. Where can I locate it?

Thanks again. Shawn

 

[Dian D. Chapman, MVP]

The systray is that area at the lower/right of your taskbar. It
usually shows your clock and/or date. Any resident programs (those
that are set to run on their own or when you reboot) will usually be
displayed there. Although some don't always show...which is why
checking the TaskMgr is better. However, sometimes those items are
listed in somewhat cryptic format...whereas if they have an icon down
there...it'll make it easier to identify what's going on.

Also...when you check your TaskManager processes...it's good to sort
by your name (user name) and then become familiar with all the process
that are running by YOU. If you see some cryptic name, such as (in my
case) hpwuSchd2.exe, you can type that into www.Google.com (with
quotes around it like this "hpwuSchd2.exe") and do a little
investigation work to see if you can figure out what that item is and
whether it is legit. In this case...that's my HP Windows Update
scheduler that checks for updates to my printer/photo apps. But it's a
good way to find out what all that stuff is. NEVER end a process if
you don't know what it is...as it might be something needed by
Windows. But you might find other apps that are running many other
processes that you would prefer not run.

Here are a couple TechTrax article that will provide you some further
info about ways to do some digging...the first shows you how to find
more system info for Office (Word in particular) and the
second...although it's about customizing WinXP...will show you more on
the SysTray (System Tray).

Hidden Treasures in System Information
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=85

WinXP_02: Messing with the Display
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=308

Good luck...

Dian D. Chapman, Technical Consultant
Microsoft MVP, MOS Certified
Editor/TechTrax Ezine

Free MS Tutorials: http://www.mousetrax.com/techtrax
Free Word eBook: http://www.mousetrax.com/books.html
Optimize your business docs: http://www.mousetrax.com/consulting
Learn VBA the easy way: http://www.mousetrax.com/techcourses.html

 

[state]

Dian:

I have to learn more computer lingo. Good useful tips. Thanks. Shawn

 

[Dian D. Chapman, MVP]

Yup...troubleshooting a computer usually involves a little Sherlock
Holmes work.

Good luck...

Dian D. Chapman, Technical Consultant
Microsoft MVP, MOS Certified
Editor/TechTrax Ezine

Free MS Tutorials: http://www.mousetrax.com/techtrax
Free Word eBook: http://www.mousetrax.com/books.html
Optimize your business docs: http://www.mousetrax.com/consulting
Learn VBA the easy way: http://www.mousetrax.com/techcourses.html