Office 2004 - All apps except Entourage crash on launch

[JDLittle]

I have never been able to get Word, Excel, or Powerpoint 2004 to open
beyond the registration/first run screen or the initial splash screen.
Entourage works fine. I know it is something in my user environment
beyond a preference (I've already uninstalled (using the Remove Office
tool)/reinstalled Office several times), unless there is something
else in my local Library account that is outside the Microsoft
preference folder or the Microsoft User Data folder in my Documents
folder. I have confirmed that I can use Office on this machine from
the local Admin acocunt (my acocunt is an Apple Active Directory
controlled network accoutn with local admin rights - others with a
similar setup are using the product fine). I have removed from any
background helper applications or daemons that are unnecessary (there
are still some left, utility apps and keyboard/mouse controls) - the
only ones remaining are ones that I am not willing to uninstall and
work without.

The system is:

MacOS X 10.3.5 with all current patches
Powerbook G4 1.5
1 GB RAM
Stock install of Microsoft Office Standard (Select Edition)

attached is a copy of the last crash report. I have submitted
approximately 20 crash reports to MS on this issue. What I am looking
for is some other direction on what may be causing the conflict with
office. Thank you.

Microsoft Error Reporting log version: 1.0

Error Signature:
Exception: EXC_BAD_ACCESS
Date/Time: 2004-09-23 10:06:37 -0400
Application Name: Microsoft Word
Application Version: 11.0.0.040408
Module Name: ATS
Module Version: unknown
Module Offset: 0x0002aab0
Extra app info: Reg=English Loc=0x0409


Thread 0 crashed:

# 1 0x96c1aab0 in _FixPostScriptName + 0x000001A8 (ATS + 0x0002aab0)
# 2 0x96c195bc in _FOGetNameInternal + 0x000002A4 (ATS + 0x000295bc)
# 3 0x96c0af3c in __eFOGetName + 0x00000284 (ATS + 0x0001af3c)
# 4 0x96c0ac90 in _FOGetName + 0x0000005C (ATS + 0x0001ac90)
# 5 0x915b7c60 in _ATSUGetIndFontName + 0x0000009C (QD + 0x00057c60)
# 6 0x92999040 in __Z16FindBestFontNamemmPmS_S_mPcS_S_ + 0x00000178
(HIToolbox + 0x001c9040)
# 7 0x929a4fc4 in __Z20BuildFontNamesRecordmsm + 0x00000068
(HIToolbox + 0x001d4fc4)
# 8 0x929913e4 in __Z14AppendFontMenuP8MenuDatasmPm + 0x0000019C
(HIToolbox + 0x001c13e4)
# 9 0x928ede1c in __Z23_CreateStandardFontMenuP8MenuDatatsmPm +
0x00000054 (HIToolbox + 0x0011de1c)
# 10 0x005a10c0 in (MCPZ.stb + 0x00030cd0)
# 11 0x005a0b7c in (MCPZ.stb + 0x0003078c)
# 12 0x0057e518 in (MCPZ.stb + 0x0000e128)
# 13 0x0057e4ac in (MCPZ.stb + 0x0000e0bc)
# 14 0x005a0af8 in (MCPZ.stb + 0x00030708)
# 15 0x005a0a78 in (MCPZ.stb + 0x00030688)
# 16 0x0203d788 in (Microsoft Word + 0x0001dce8)
# 17 0x02022cdc in (Microsoft Word + 0x0000323c)
# 18 0x02020360 in (Microsoft Word + 0x000008c0)
# 19 0x01023430 in (Microsoft_Office_2001Z + 0x0000cec0)
# 20 0x020200b4 in (Microsoft Word + 0x00000614)
# 21 0x02b052ec in (Microsoft Word + 0x00ae584c)

PPC Thread State:
srr0: 0x96c1aab0 srr1: 0x0000d030 vrsave: 0x00000000
xer: 0x20000000 lr: 0x96c195bc ctr: 0x900f60c0 mq:0x00000000
r0: 0x0000000d r1: 0xbfffe110 r2: 0x0000002e r3:0x0000000d
r4: 0x00000000 r5: 0x00000000 r6: 0x0000002d r7:0x011f5c5c
r8: 0x00405000 r9: 0xff1893e1 r10: 0x00000001 r11:0x00df0c5c
r12: 0x0037f03c r13: 0x0316b88c r14: 0x0316b858 r15:0x00000003
r16: 0xbffff538 r17: 0x00000000 r18: 0xbfffe418 r19:0xbfffe41c
r20: 0xbfffe414 r21: 0xbfffe378 r22: 0xbfffe364 r23:0xbfffe368
r24: 0x0177cecc r25: 0x0037f030 r26: 0x05a83c44 r27:0x0000000d
r28: 0x0037f030 r29: 0x05a83c98 r30: 0x05a83c92 r31:0x96c19328


Thread 1:

# 1 0x900074c8 in _mach_msg_trap + 0x00000008 (libSystem.B.dylib +
0x000074c8)
# 2 0x90007018 in _mach_msg + 0x00000038 (libSystem.B.dylib +
0x00007018)
# 3 0xc0002540 in ___ape_internal + 0x00000CA0 (ApplicationEnhancer
+ 0x00002540)
# 4 0xc000132c in ___ape_agent + 0x0000003C (ApplicationEnhancer +
0x0000132c)
# 5 0x900246e4 in __pthread_body + 0x00000024 (libSystem.B.dylib +
0x000246e4)

PPC Thread State:
srr0: 0x900074c8 srr1: 0x0000d030 vrsave: 0x00000000
xer: 0x00000000 lr: 0x90007018 ctr: 0x900074c0 mq:0x00000000
r0: 0xffffffe1 r1: 0xf0080d60 r2: 0x8fe507cc r3:0x002ee000
r4: 0x00000006 r5: 0x00000000 r6: 0x00001000 r7:0x00001e03
r8: 0x00000000 r9: 0x00000000 r10: 0x00000000 r11:0xa0004308
r12: 0x900074c0 r13: 0x00000000 r14: 0x00000000 r15:0x00000000
r16: 0x00000000 r17: 0x00000000 r18: 0x00000000 r19:0x00000000
r20: 0x00000000 r21: 0x00000000 r22: 0x00000000 r23:0x00001e03
r24: 0x002ee000 r25: 0x00001000 r26: 0x00001e03 r27:0x00000000
r28: 0x00000000 r29: 0x00000000 r30: 0x00000006 r31:0xc0002408


Thread 2:

# 1 0x90012588 in _clock_sleep_trap + 0x00000008 (libSystem.B.dylib
+ 0x00012588)
# 2 0x9000d758 in _nanosleep + 0x00000078 (libSystem.B.dylib +
0x0000d758)
# 3 0x9002d388 in _sleep + 0x00000048 (libSystem.B.dylib +
0x0002d388)
# 4 0x0176760c in _MerpUnregisterCFMFragment + 0x00000BAC (ShMem +
0x0006260c)
# 5 0x01766ad8 in _MerpUnregisterCFMFragment + 0x00000078 (ShMem +
0x00061ad8)
# 6 0x01766c04 in _MerpUnregisterCFMFragment + 0x000001A4 (ShMem +
0x00061c04)
# 7 0x017676e4 in _MerpUnregisterCFMFragment + 0x00000C84 (ShMem +
0x000626e4)
# 8 0x900246e4 in __pthread_body + 0x00000024 (libSystem.B.dylib +
0x000246e4)

PPC Thread State:
srr0: 0x90012588 srr1: 0x0000d030 vrsave: 0x00000000
xer: 0x00000004 lr: 0x9000d758 ctr: 0x90012580 mq:0x00000000
r0: 0xffffffc2 r1: 0xf0101af0 r2: 0xf0101ac4 r3:0x00000507
r4: 0x00000001 r5: 0x00000001 r6: 0x00000000 r7:0xf0101b30
r8: 0x00000000 r9: 0x00001020 r10: 0x0d60c530 r11:0xa0003ed4
r12: 0x90012580 r13: 0x00000000 r14: 0x00000000 r15:0x00000000
r16: 0x00000000 r17: 0x00000000 r18: 0x00000000 r19:0x00000000
r20: 0x00000000 r21: 0x00000000 r22: 0x00000000 r23:0x00000000
r24: 0x00000000 r25: 0x0000001e r26: 0x00000078 r27:0x017774dc
r28: 0xf0101bb0 r29: 0xa00011e0 r30: 0xf0101ba0 r31:0x9000d6f0


Thread 3:

# 1 0x8fe269c8 in _mach_msg_trap + 0x00000008 (dyld + 0x000269c8)
# 2 0x8fe321d4 in _mach_msg + 0x00000038 (dyld + 0x000321d4)
# 3 0x8fe16504 in _server_loop + 0x00000088 (dyld + 0x00016504)
# 4 0x8fe16334 in _start_debug_thread + 0x00000144 (dyld +
0x00016334)

PPC Thread State:
srr0: 0x8fe269c8 srr1: 0x0000d030 vrsave: 0x00000000
xer: 0x00000000 lr: 0x8fe321d4 ctr: 0x8fe1a968 mq:0x00000000
r0: 0xffffffe1 r1: 0x05b2ccf0 r2: 0x00000000 r3:0x05b2cd90
r4: 0x00000002 r5: 0x00000000 r6: 0x00000040 r7:0x00004e03
r8: 0x00000000 r9: 0x00000000 r10: 0x00000000 r11:0x84420334
r12: 0x8fe1a968 r13: 0x00000000 r14: 0x8fe53254 r15:0x8fe507a0
r16: 0x8fe507d0 r17: 0x8fe5079c r18: 0x8fe507a0 r19:0x05b2cdd0
r20: 0x8fe507cc r21: 0x8fe5079c r22: 0x8fe507cc r23:0x8fe53254
r24: 0x05b2cd90 r25: 0x00000040 r26: 0x00004e03 r27:0x00000000
r28: 0x00000000 r29: 0x00000000 r30: 0x00000002 r31:0x8fe16490


Loaded modules:

0: Microsoft Word (11.0.0.040408 Reg=English Loc=0x0409):
/Applications/Microsoft Office 2004/Microsoft Word
1: MicrosoftLSLibZ (11.0.0.040326 Reg=English Loc=0x0000):
/Applications/Microsoft Office 2004/Office/Microsoft Component Plugin
2: MCPZ.stb (11.0.0.040326 Reg=English Loc=0x0000):
/Applications/Microsoft Office 2004/Office/Microsoft Component Plugin
3: MCPCoreZ (11.0.0.040326 Reg=English Loc=0x0000):
/Applications/Microsoft Office 2004/Office/Microsoft Component Plugin
4: Microsoft_Office_2001Z (11.0.0.040322 Reg=English Loc=0x0409):
/Applications/Microsoft Office 2004/Office/Microsoft Office
5: ShMem (11.0.0.040322 Reg=English Loc=0x0000):
/Applications/Microsoft Office
2004/Office/ShMem.bundle/Contents/MacOS/ShMem
6: Microsoft Word (11.0.0.040408 Reg=English Loc=0x0409):
/Applications/Microsoft Office 2004/Microsoft Word
7: Microsoft OLE X (11.0.0.040322 Reg=English Loc=0x0000):
/Applications/Microsoft Office 2004/Office/Microsoft OLE
8: libz.1.1.3.dylib: /usr/lib/libz.1.1.3.dylib
9: DVComponentGlue: /System/Library/Frameworks/DVComponentGlue.framework/Versions/A/DVComponentGlue
10: dyld: /usr/lib/dyld
11: libSystem.B.dylib: /usr/lib/libSystem.B.dylib
12: CoreFoundation: /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreFoundation.framework/Versions/A/CoreFoundation
13: CarbonCore: /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CarbonCore.framework/Versions/A/CarbonCore
14: IOKit: /System/Library/Frameworks/IOKit.framework/Versions/A/IOKit
15: OSServices: /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/OSServices.framework/Versions/A/OSServices
16: CoreServices: /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/CoreServices
17: CoreAudio: /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreAudio.framework/Versions/A/CoreAudio
18: DiskArbitration:
/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DiskArbitration.framework/Versions/A/DiskArbitration
19: ApplicationServices:
/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/ApplicationServices
20: DesktopServicesPriv:
/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DesktopServicesPriv.framework/Versions/A/DesktopServicesPriv
21: SystemConfiguration:
/System/Library/Frameworks/SystemConfiguration.framework/Versions/A/SystemConfiguration
22: Carbon: /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Carbon
23: Bom: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Bom.framework/Versions/A/Bom
24: CarbonSound: /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CarbonSound.framework/Versions/A/CarbonSound
25: LangAnalysis: /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LangAnalysis.framework/Versions/A/LangAnalysis
26: ColorSync: /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ColorSync.framework/Versions/A/ColorSync
27: SpeechSynthesis:
/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/SpeechSynthesis.framework/Versions/A/SpeechSynthesis
28: HTMLRendering: /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/HTMLRendering.framework/Versions/A/HTMLRendering
29: QD: /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/QD.framework/Versions/A/QD
30: AE: /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/AE.framework/Versions/A/AE
31: PrintCore: /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/PrintCore.framework/Versions/A/PrintCore
32: SpeechRecognition:
/System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/SpeechRecognition.framework/Versions/A/SpeechRecognition
33: OpenScripting: /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/OpenScripting.framework/Versions/A/OpenScripting
34: ImageCapture: /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ImageCapture.framework/Versions/A/ImageCapture
35: Help: /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/Help.framework/Versions/A/Help
36: CommonPanels: /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CommonPanels.framework/Versions/A/CommonPanels
37: Print: /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/Print.framework/Versions/A/Print
38: SecurityHI: /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/SecurityHI.framework/Versions/A/SecurityHI
39: NavigationServices:
/System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/NavigationServices.framework/Versions/A/NavigationServices
40: libCGATS.A.dylib:
/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libCGATS.A.dylib
41: libCSync.A.dylib:
/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libCSync.A.dylib
42: libPDFRIP.A.dylib:
/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libPDFRIP.A.dylib
43: libPSRIP.A.dylib:
/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libPSRIP.A.dylib
44: libRIP.A.dylib: /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libRIP.A.dylib
45: QuickTime: /System/Library/Frameworks/QuickTime.framework/Versions/A/QuickTime
46: FindByContent: /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/FindByContent.framework/Versions/A/FindByContent
47: Security: /System/Library/Frameworks/Security.framework/Versions/A/Security
48: LaunchServices: /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Versions/A/LaunchServices
49: CFNetwork: /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CFNetwork.framework/Versions/A/CFNetwork
50: HIToolbox: /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/HIToolbox.framework/Versions/A/HIToolbox
51: HIServices: /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/HIServices.framework/Versions/A/HIServices
52: CoreGraphics: /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Versions/A/CoreGraphics
53: libcups.2.dylib: /usr/lib/libcups.2.dylib
54: libmathCommon.A.dylib: /usr/lib/system/libmathCommon.A.dylib
55: WebServicesCore:
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/WebServicesCore.framework/Versions/A/WebServicesCore
56: libz.1.dylib: /usr/lib/libz.1.dylib
57: libresolv.9.dylib: /usr/lib/libresolv.9.dylib
58: SearchKit: /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/SearchKit.framework/Versions/A/SearchKit
59: Ink: /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/Ink.framework/Versions/A/Ink
60: libicucore.A.dylib: /usr/lib/libicucore.A.dylib
61: libcrypto.0.9.7.dylib: /usr/lib/libcrypto.0.9.7.dylib
62: libssl.0.9.7.dylib: /usr/lib/libssl.0.9.7.dylib
63: ATS: /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ATS.framework/Versions/A/ATS
64: libbsm.dylib: /usr/lib/libbsm.dylib
65: ApplicationEnhancer:
/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationEnhancer.framework/Versions/A/ApplicationEnhancer

Operating System Information
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.3.5 (Build 7M34)
CPU: G4 (7450), Number: 1, Speed: 1499 MHz
gestaltPhysicalRAMSize err = 0, result = 1024 MB
gestaltSystemVersion err = 0, result = 0x1035
Screen: 1280 x 854, depth = 32, ltbr = 0, 0, 854, 1280
Screen: 1024 x 768, depth = 32, ltbr = 1280, 0, 768, 2304

Microsoft Application Information:
Error Reporting UUID: B6FA45E5-CACA-11D8-8BB2-000D933634EE
Time from launch: 0 hours, 0 minutes, 4 seconds
Total errors on this client: 19

 

[artie]

This looks like the classic "bad font" problem. Office is *very* picky
about fonts!

Using the Font Book application, turn off *ALL* the fonts you can. If
one of the office apps starts successfully, one of the fonts you
disabled is bad.

Dig to fing the one (or ones) that are bad, and pull them. I had to
dig out three!

cheers--

 

[R I G]

Artie,

I had the same exact problem as JDLittle. I disabled my fonts and
Excel booted up without a problem. But, I still have a minor problem.

I have hundreds of fonts, going through them all to weed out the bad
one(s) is going to take a while. Are there only a handful of fonts
that Office 2004 uses that I can target in my bad font weed-o-rama?
Are there any ways that I can shorten the long list of fonts that I
have to go through? Any help is mucho appreciated.

Thanks,
RIG

 

[JE McGimpsey]

I had the same exact problem as JDLittle. I disabled my fonts and
Excel booted up without a problem. But, I still have a minor problem.

I have hundreds of fonts, going through them all to weed out the bad
one(s) is going to take a while. Are there only a handful of fonts
that Office 2004 uses that I can target in my bad font weed-o-rama?
Are there any ways that I can shorten the long list of fonts that I
have to go through? Any help is mucho appreciated.

First, thanks for reporting. It's nice to see feedback on what the
problem is.

As far as determining your fonts, if you're on Mac OS 10.3.x (Panther),
the Font Book application lets you quickly enable/disable fonts.

The fastest way to find the problem is to do a binary search. Enable
half your disabled fonts. Restart an Office app.

If the app crashes, you know that at least one font of those you enabled
is bad. Disable half of the ones you enabled. If the problem disappears,
you know that the bad font(s) are in the half you just disabled.
Continue this process until you identify a bad font.

Note that you can't assume there's *only* one bad font, so you may have
to repeat steps after removing a bad font.

It may sound tedious, but this process is far faster than checking each
font individually!

 

[R I G]

First, thanks for reporting. It's nice to see feedback on what the
problem is.

As far as determining your fonts, if you're on Mac OS 10.3.x (Panther),
the Font Book application lets you quickly enable/disable fonts.

The fastest way to find the problem is to do a binary search. Enable
half your disabled fonts. Restart an Office app.

If the app crashes, you know that at least one font of those you enabled
is bad. Disable half of the ones you enabled. If the problem disappears,
you know that the bad font(s) are in the half you just disabled.
Continue this process until you identify a bad font.

Note that you can't assume there's *only* one bad font, so you may have
to repeat steps after removing a bad font.

It may sound tedious, but this process is far faster than checking each
font individually!

JE McGimpsey,

Thanks for the quick response. I had started a binary search while
posting and, like you pointed out, I assumed that only one font was
bad. It turned out however that there were multiple bad fonts and
that even the binary search was becoming too tedious (I had to
remember at which font I had last divided by, backtrack, etc.).

I ended up basically going on a deleting binge, removing any font that
wasn't a standard english font. Basically, I found myself deleting
Cyrillic, Oriental and symbolic fonts that were not owned by the
System. I actually found that Font Book has two separate confirmation
dialogue boxes, a deduction that I used to discern between essential
and non-essential fonts. One dialogue box is for what I am assuming
are non-essential fonts. It has the Font Book application logo in it
and a checkbox for preventing future confirmations of deletion. The
second only has the system caution symbol (yellow triangle with
exclamation mark) and no checkbox. If you confirm your deletion, the
system then asks you for an administrator's password leading me to
believe that this second dialogue box pertains to system required (ie
essential) fonts.

In the end, I'm not sure which fonts were the baddies. I do know that
I got all of them and managed to clean my Font Book a bit. I hope my
experiences will prove helpful to anyone else experiencing the same
problem with Office 2004.

 

[Anne]

Same problem here, and I had heard that fonts could be the cause of
the problem. I turned them ALL off. Every danged font in font book.
Still won't launch.

Any other possible suggestions?

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Same problem here, and I had heard that fonts could be the cause of
the problem. I turned them ALL off. Every danged font in font book.
Still won't launch.

Any other possible suggestions?

You may want to try logging out after removing/disabling the fonts, then
logging back in.

Did you try the suggestions in the earlier posts (i.e., non-font
related)? Though if you're getting the same problem, the posted crash
log is pretty definitive for a font problem.

 

[John DeFranco]

You may want to try logging out after removing/disabling the fonts, then
logging back in.

Did you try the suggestions in the earlier posts (i.e., non-font
related)? Though if you're getting the same problem, the posted crash
log is pretty definitive for a font problem.

I had the same problem and the bad fonts turned out to be the math
font group. Maybe this conflicts with the equation editor I opted to
install.