Tracking changes crashes Word

[diane]

It's taken me a week or so to work out why my desktop copy of Word X (on my
new iMac!) was crashing when I tried to open documents created on my laptop
(using the same disc to install both copies). I have managed to confirm the
following:

1. Word on my iMac crashes when I try to open a well-used file created on
the Powerbook. The files appear to open for a few seconds then Word crashes
out.
2. a simple "test" file created on the Powerbook is fine, as are documents
in category (1) saved as .txt but not .rtf.
3. documents created on the Powerbook are fine when viewed with other copies
of Word on other machines (Mac and PC)
4. When I then try to open another doc I'm told that the previous file was
corrupt - do I want to recover it? Choosing "yes" still generally results in
a crash (although I did have one occasion when a file opened but had missing
lines - it refused to open a second time though)

All updates (to 1.2.5 on Office and 1.2.8 on OS X ) are installed on both
machines

Because it only seemed to be a problem with files that were "well used" I
reckoned it was something to do with change tracking - but it isn't turned
on for the Powerbook, nor is fastsave.

Going to Preferences > Track changes on the iMac crashes Word in just the
same way as trying to open a file - i.e. It doesn't open past he splash
screen. Although change tracking does not appear to be turned on (looking
at the toolbar icon).

I have checked for duplicate fonts, and used the disc utility to repair
permissions on the HD. I have reinstalled Word (twice, as you do!) on the
iMac but nothing help.

I'm now 99% sure that the problem lies with the installation of Word on the
iMac, and will probably have to install Norton to do a thorough disc repair.

I just wondered if this was a problem anyone else had encountered -
specifically the crashing when trying to access the "track changes" menu in
preferences? And is there anything else I could try?

diane

 

[Elliott Roper]

It's taken me a week or so to work out why my desktop copy of Word X (on my
new iMac!) was crashing when I tried to open documents created on my laptop
(using the same disc to install both copies). I have managed to confirm the
following:

1. Word on my iMac crashes when I try to open a well-used file created on
the Powerbook. The files appear to open for a few seconds then Word crashes
out.
2. a simple "test" file created on the Powerbook is fine, as are documents
in category (1) saved as .txt but not .rtf.
3. documents created on the Powerbook are fine when viewed with other copies
of Word on other machines (Mac and PC)
4. When I then try to open another doc I'm told that the previous file was
corrupt - do I want to recover it? Choosing "yes" still generally results in
a crash (although I did have one occasion when a file opened but had missing
lines - it refused to open a second time though)

All updates (to 1.2.5 on Office and 1.2.8 on OS X ) are installed on both
machines

Because it only seemed to be a problem with files that were "well used" I
reckoned it was something to do with change tracking - but it isn't turned
on for the Powerbook, nor is fastsave.

Going to Preferences > Track changes on the iMac crashes Word in just the
same way as trying to open a file - i.e. It doesn't open past he splash
screen. Although change tracking does not appear to be turned on (looking
at the toolbar icon).

I have checked for duplicate fonts, and used the disc utility to repair
permissions on the HD. I have reinstalled Word (twice, as you do!) on the
iMac but nothing help.

I'm now 99% sure that the problem lies with the installation of Word on the
iMac, and will probably have to install Norton to do a thorough disc repair.

I just wondered if this was a problem anyone else had encountered -
specifically the crashing when trying to access the "track changes" menu in
preferences? And is there anything else I could try?

You seem to have done some thorough troubleshooting so far.
This is a shot from the hip, based on no experience at all.
Did you use the same user-id and the same serial number in both
installs? (You are legally supposed to be able to this on laptop and
desktop I think) If you did, then maybe track changes is getting
confused by your doppelganger from the other machine.

I don't trust track changes as far as you can kick it will a sore toe.
Even the odd MVP here has admitted it is far buggier than the Windows
flavour.


So you could try creating another user on one of your machines and
seeing what happens when you repeat your tests logged in as that
person.

 

[Beth Rosengard]

Hi Diane,

Did you fully uninstall before reinstalling. This is essential. Here's the
procedure:

The Remove Office tool is located in the Value Pack folder on the Office X
CD. Install it and run it. Now reinstall Office X using the installer on
the CD or do a Drag & Drop to the Applications folder. Also don't forget to
install any Value Pack items you need. When you've finished, you'll need to
download (<http://www.microsoft.com/mac/download/>) and install the Office X
10.1.2, 10.1.4 and 10.1.5 updaters.

For the most trouble-free installation, run Disk Utility First Aid to repair
permissions before each updater install and when you've completed them all.
To repair permissions go to Macintosh HD/Applications/Utilities; open up
Disk Utility; select your hard disk and click the First Aid tab and then the
button to "Repair Disk Permissions".

Before uninstalling Office, you might want to back up various files. See
here for backup suggestions: <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/backup.html>.

--
Beth Rosengard
Mac MVP

Mac Word FAQ: <http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/WordMac/index.htm>
Entourage Help Page: <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/toc.html>

 

[diane]

Hi Diane,

Did you fully uninstall before reinstalling. This is essential. Here's the
procedure:

The Remove Office tool is located in the Value Pack folder on the Office X
CD. Install it and run it. Now reinstall Office X using the installer on
the CD or do a Drag & Drop to the Applications folder. Also don't forget to
install any Value Pack items you need. When you've finished, you'll need to
download (<http://www.microsoft.com/mac/download/>) and install the Office X
10.1.2, 10.1.4 and 10.1.5 updaters.

For the most trouble-free installation, run Disk Utility First Aid to repair
permissions before each updater install and when you've completed them all.
To repair permissions go to Macintosh HD/Applications/Utilities; open up
Disk Utility; select your hard disk and click the First Aid tab and then the
button to "Repair Disk Permissions".

Before uninstalling Office, you might want to back up various files. See
here for backup suggestions: <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/backup.html>.

Yes, Beth, I'm afraid I did do *most* of that....very methodically - I only
ran "repair disk permissions" prior to the latest reinstall - but it was
done.

I'm off to log on as one of my kids and see if a different Id will open the
files. I wondered if it was a confusion over Ids - but dismissed that
without testing it out fully.

Thanks

diane

 

[diane]

On 20/11/03 5:21 pm, in article 201120031721409002%[email protected],

You seem to have done some thorough troubleshooting so far.
This is a shot from the hip, based on no experience at all.
Did you use the same user-id and the same serial number in both
installs? (You are legally supposed to be able to this on laptop and
desktop I think) If you did, then maybe track changes is getting
confused by your doppelganger from the other machine.

I don't trust track changes as far as you can kick it will a sore toe.
Even the odd MVP here has admitted it is far buggier than the Windows
flavour.


So you could try creating another user on one of your machines and
seeing what happens when you repeat your tests logged in as that
person.

Can I buy you a virtual large drink? You're right - that is the source of
the problem, just went in as one of my kids and could open the documents
with no problem whatsoever. I use the same username on both machines - I
use both for work related stuff so just mirrored the installations.

I wish I'd had the sense to try this last week! I asked if it might be a
possibility of our tech support guy - and he said he doubted it, because
most people who have laptops use their desktops too with the same version of
the prog. - but it never occurred to either of us that the tracking function
was the key, I had just assumed a dodgy installation!

Many thanks

Diane

 

[Elliott Roper]

I wish I'd had the sense to try this last week! I asked if it might be a
possibility of our tech support guy - and he said he doubted it, because
most people who have laptops use their desktops too with the same version of
the prog. - but it never occurred to either of us that the tracking function
was the key, I had just assumed a dodgy installation!

You would do well to whinge at Microsoft over that one. They are
probably embarrassed enough already over track changes. Maybe this will
tip them over the edge to do something about it.

(sound of beating wings outside my second floor window is revealed to
be a pig requesting permission to land. I never knew they were so
nocturnal)

You might try altering your identity details in preferences on one of
your copies of Word. Another thing to investigate is whether your user
number and group on OS X is the same or different one each machine. A
bit of help from a unix giant might help you decide whether permissions
were consistent or should have been.
e