Toolbar not working

[ASD]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I have recently noticed a problem when I start up Word - the toolbars are present, but when I try to click on one of the elements they are 'shadowed' out, and nothing happens. I can make them active by minimising and re-maximising the Word page, but this problem is becoming more annoying.
Now, I am noticing the same problem with iCal.
This has only started since I downloaded the Word 12.1 service pack, and 12.1.1 patch.
Is anyone else experiencing a similar problem?
What is the solution?
Thanks,
A

 

[CyberTaz]

Hello _________-

There's nothing I know of that would cause the Office updates to affect
Apple programs other applications. Have you repaired disk permissions since
applying any updates? Have you restarted your Mac lately?

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[ASD]

Hi Bob,
Thanks for replying to my post.
I haven't made any significant changes to my preferences since applying the updates.
I've re-started my Mac, and it solved the problem with iCal (temporarily), but this seems like a major inconvenience to rectify a problem with the program.
Actually, now that I have done a few other things and come back to it, the iCal toolbar which moves forward and backwards is active, but the 'today' button is greyed out (which it wasn't 5 minutes ago).
Strange...
And re-starting did not affect the problem with Word - the toolbars are there, but still 'greyed' out, until I minimise/maximise. At least I don't have to turn off and back on again.
It's only a minor glitch, but I can't explain it either.
Any other suggestions?
A

 

[CyberTaz]

Did you run Disk Utility - Repair Disk Permissions? You made no mention of
having done so.

Also, are you by any chance using the OS X feature called "Spaces"? That
could be a factor - Office & Spaces don't play well together. The symptoms
seem to vary a bit from one circumstance to another. If you are, turn it
off, restart Word & see if the problem goes away.

If these steps don't correct things we'll dig a bit deeper

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[ASD]

Hi Bob,
I had not run disk utility (I'm still a bit of a novice), so I did that and repaired the disk permissions. Thanks for the advice.
That seems to have repaired the glitch with iCal, but the problem is still occurring with Word (although it is still easy to resolve with the minimise/maximise trick).
I don't use Spaces.
Any thoughts?
A

 

[CyberTaz]

OK - That's progress ! If you haven't re-launched
Word since repairing permissions do that. It may not correct the problem
so...

Now Control/Right+Click the problem bar & select Reset Toolbar (or go to
View> Customize Toolbars & Menus, Toolbars page, select the bar's name &
click Reset) for each bar that's presenting the problem.

That's the "easy way" - if it doesn't fix things we'll go a step further.

Good Luck |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac