Really strange normal.dot problem

[B Hope]

Hello everyone

I have read with interest all the previous normal.dot questions from
different users but my client's problem has not been mentioned.

Word 2000 freezes at the splash screen. From my research, I started Word
with the /a switch and it opened OK. If I rename normal.dot and try again
without the /a switch, Word opens normally but if I close Word and try to
re-open, it freezes at the splash screen. If I rename normal.dot again,
Word opens but refuses to re-open. Obviously they can't keep renaming
normal.dot. I deleted the data key in the registry that controls toolbars,
I have checked for any add-ins, I have re-installed the HP printer driver, I
have even set Word to run from the CD - nothing solves the problem. The
antivirus program is McAfee.

The strange thing is that the installation was working fine prior to some
other computer corruption which forced the customer to re-install Windows XP
from their recovery disk and then re-install Office 2000. The other
programs in the Office Suite work. It is just Word that freezes at the
splash screen, opens with the /a switch and opens once only if normal.dot is
renamed.

Something is corrupting normal.dot but I don't know what to look for or what
else to try. Any brave hearts out there?

Thanks
Barry
P.S. Please delete REMOVE from address

 

[Margaret]

Things to try

Check the Office and word startup folders, you want these
empty

test in windows safe mode

if windows safemode works, do a selective startup

Margaret

 

[Guest]

I have a similar problem.There is a "Normal" file in my
templates file, but I can't delete it, or open it to see
what is inside.I posted a question on this bulletin board
but it hasn't been posted.
Do you have McAfee? This started to happen after I re-
downloaded McAfee.(I had taken it off my machine when I
installed WINDOWS XP).Also I have been plagued by Adware,
that I keep deleting but it never goes away completely.It
is not listed as a virus but when I do a virus scan, the
McAfee pop up suggests I remove those adware related
files.I do that, my computer says that they are removed,
but they seem to come back--like a bad dream.Dean Brunel