PROBLEMS OPENING FILES THROUGH MY DOCUMENTS

[Helen J]

using xp home and office 2003 pro. Excel and Word files open fine if opened
direct in excel or word either off desktop or start menu BUT if opened
through my documents system hangs and eventually the files open - any ideas
how to resolve this?
thanks in adv

 

[Bob I]

If the problem is ONLY when you double-click on a file to open it. The
problem is likely due to DDE. It can be fixed by reinstalling, OR this
workaround.

Go to Control Panel, Folder Options, File Types, scroll down to and
select (DOC for Word files) or XLS (for Excel files), click Advanced,
select Open entry, click the edit Button.
Now uncheck "Use DDE" and then put your cursor in the Application box,
arrow all the way to the right and put in a space and "%1" (include the
quote marks), IF there is /dde remove it. Then OK you way out. Things
should work quickly again.

 

[czj0jf]

Hello Bob I,
I had just posted a similar distress call as Helen's. I tried your
recommendation. The software does open but there are about 5 or 6 error
messages to poke down and the documents don't open. Any suggestions?

 

[Bob I]

Did you do a detect and repair first?

 

[Helen J]

Thank you so much that has solved the problem
perfect
Helen

 

[Bob I]

You're most welcome, have a great day!

Thank you so much that has solved the problem
perfect
Helen

:

 

[czj0jf]

No sir I didn't. I'm not sure I remember how to do that. I see your solution
worked for Helen.

 

[czj0jf]

Hello Bob I,
I remembered how to "Detect and repair". I ran the program. The error
messages are no longer present. However the Wor and Excel issues still exist.
I opened PowerPoint by double clicking with no problem. It worked as it
always has. Any suggestions?
JC

 

[Bob I]

Ok, now that the Detect and Repair is done try it again, pay close
attention to spacing in the entry changes you make.

Go to Control Panel, Folder Options, File Types, scroll down to and
select (DOC for Word files) or XLS (for Excel files), click Advanced,
select Open entry, click the edit Button.
Now uncheck "Use DDE" and then put your cursor in the Application box,
arrow all the way to the right and put in a space and "%1" (include the
quote marks), IF there is /dde remove it. Then OK your way out. Things
should work quickly again.



Hello Bob I,
I remembered how to "Detect and repair". I ran the program. The error
messages are no longer present. However the Wor and Excel issues still
exist.
I opened PowerPoint by double clicking with no problem. It worked as it
always has. Any suggestions?
JC

 

[czj0jf]

Hello Bob I,

I apologize for the tardiness in this response. I tried the solution again
but there appeared to be a conflict with coding on my system.

Since I was able to open PowerPoint with no difficulties, I duplicated the
code from
PowerPoint to Word and Excel (with the correct file extensions). All
softwares now open as they did before the error occurred.

Thanks for your reply and guidance. You pointed me in the direction I needed.

czj0jf

 

[Bob I]

Great! I'm glad this is all corrected! Thank you for posting back with
your solution!

 

[ShadowMan]

This fixed my problem with opening excel files also, but it only worked for
about 24 hours. When I follow the steps again, the box "Use DDE" is checked
again? Any help to keep this change permanent?

 

[Bob I]

Our experience is that it remains working after the "DDE" becomes
checked after the "fix". Unless you have some third party software
making system changes, which then breaks the "DDE" again.