when trying to use file-open, Word stops responding

[emccded]

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

When I want to find and open a file using "open" under the "file" menu, I get a spinning wheel and then a box that looks like a file list but has no data but has a header saying "open". At the bottom of that is a menu saying "enable:" with a menu next to it showing "all documents."

However, the wheel spins forever and the computer is locked up until I do a force quit.

What's the problem?

 

[emccded]

When I want to find and open a file using "open" under the "file" menu, I get a spinning wheel and then a box that looks like a file list but has no data but has a header saying "open". At the bottom of that is a menu saying "enable:" with a menu next to it showing "all documents."

However, the wheel spins forever and the computer is locked up until I do a force quit.

What's the problem?

Later - I looked at other posts and followed advice to get rid of some preference files. That seemed to work.

 

[CyberTaz]

Word is asking for the file but isn't getting the proper response. If this
is happening with just one file it could be that the file is corrupt. If it
happens with all files the problem is a bit more serious. Your description
suggests that the latter is the case, so the first steps to take are;

Make sure Office is up to date (12.1.5) - Check Word> About Word to confirm
& run Help> Check For Updates if necessary.

Make sure OS X is up to date (10.5.6) - I'd suggest you go to the Apple
Downloads site, retrieve & apply the OS X Leopard 10.5.6 Combo Update even
if you're already updated via Software Update.

Run Disk Utility ‹ Repair Disk Permissions, then restart your Mac.

If the problem continues try logging in using a new/different User Account
to see if the same behavior occurs there. Also try logging in while holding
the Shift key & reply with complete details on the results of each.

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

 

[John McGhie]

There's something wrong with the Finder.

When you issue a File>Open command from Word, it simply spawns a new Finder
window, and that's what you are seeing.

Something is preventing the Finder from displaying the content of that
folder.

If may be a "Helper" application that is interfering between Word and the
Finder. The problem is actually "outside" of Word.

Hope this helps

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

When I want to find and open a file using "open" under the "file" menu, I get
a spinning wheel and then a box that looks like a file list but has no data
but has a header saying "open". At the bottom of that is a menu saying
"enable:" with a menu next to it showing "all documents."

However, the wheel spins forever and the computer is locked up until I do a
force quit.

What's the problem?

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Microsoft MVP, Word and Word:Mac
Sydney, Australia. mailto:[email protected]