"send error report" message when opening MS Word

[KWParra]

On opening MS Word in only one of my 4 accounts in Windows XP (Pro), I get a
"send error report/recover document" message. Word does not stay open in
this account only. If I open a previously created document, it stays open
only until I try to use the menu bar, and then I again get the error message
and it shuts down. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

See http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ProbsOpeningWord.htm.

 

[KWParra]

Thanks GnO.
I should have said in my prior message that I saw that FAQ in some prior
posts and I am running Word 2002 SP3. Note:
---I tried replacing the normal.dot in my son's account (the account where
Word doesn't work) with an normal.dot from an account that does work.
---It seems to run without the problems (including the menu problems) if I
use winword.exe /a or winword.exe /safe.
---I don't think it's a printer problem because my 4 accounts are all set up
the same.
---I must admit that I didn't try deleting registry keys since Word is
working fine in the other accounts and I didn't want to mess with that
without knowing specifically the problem.
---I'm fairly sure this is not a Norton problem because the 4 accounts are
set up the same and the others 3 are fine.
---I have no files in my Word templates folder (other than what I believe is
a good normal.dot) or the startup folder.
---If I open Word by clicking on a previously created Word file (the only
way I can in this account without the crash), I determined that the only
pull-down menu item that results in a similar crash is the "file" menu.

Any other suggestions? Again, thanks!!

 

[Beth Melton]

When you use multiple accounts each user's personal preferences for
Word are stored. IOW, you can't necessarily rule out the Word\Data key
in the Registry since each user's settings will be different.

Renaming the Word\Data key will reset the majority of the options
found in Tools/Options, Tools/AutoCorrect, and a few other options
such as Sort options, back to the defaults. You can always delete the
new Data key created and rename the old one back if you find it
doesn't resolve the problem and return all preferences.

If you can start Word by double-clicking a document outside of the
application then here's what I suggest you try:

- Rather than replace Normal.dot, search for Normal.dot and rename
those you find (you could have more than one Normal.dot available to
Word) and Word will create a new one upon starting.
- Without trying to start Word rename/delete the Word\Data key in the
Registry
- Restart the computer
- Try starting Word.

In this situation you may want to use the Registry/Export Registry
file command, export your selected branch, and delete the key instead
of renaming it. That way if you find the change wasn't necessary or
incorrect you can merge the deleted branch back to the Registry by
double-clicking the resulting file.

--
Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[KWParra]

Beth, Thanks a lot! It took me a little while to finally get the nerve to
just delete that Word/Data key from my registry, but everything is perfect
now. Much appreciated. KWParra

 

[Beth Melton]

Glad to hear the issue has been resolved.

Yeah, the first few times in the Registry can be a little intimidating
but I've found everything in the Office branch is self-healing. If a
needed key is renamed/deleted then it will be recreated with the
defaults. Of course you shouldn't get too comfortable in there and a
little caution never hurts.

--
Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/