WIndows XP w Word 2000 - normal.dot

[trapper1950]

Word hangs. Search for normal.dot brings up nothing (Show hidden files &
folders) yet file exists in C:\D&S\user\AD\MS\Word\Startup. I deleted the
file, ran "winword.exe /a" to open Word, then saved the blank document with
the name "normal" as a template in the "default folder" for templates.
Renamed "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\ Word" to
"...\Old_Word". Word still hangs.

As the search doesn't find "normal.dot" even though it exists on the drive,
are there other areas where a "normal.dot" file may exist? I'm thinking that
a corrupted normal.dot file may exist that Word is attempting to use but as
search doesn't even find the normal.dot that I know the location of, I'm lost
as to how to find other "verisons' of normal.dot. Any assistance on
resolving this issue is greatly appreciated!

 

[databaseben]

yeh, normal.doc are notorious for harboring risky macros. Firstly, when you
open word, be sure that any docs that open up to are closed. Then go to
tools and macros and see if any are installed. If so delete them and close
word. Then go to my computer and into the program files and look for a
startup folder under the office folder. There you should find the notorious
normal.doc and maybe some others as well that you can delete. Open word
again and it should create a new doc. For monitoring I would type my name at
the top of the document and then when you close word it should ask you if you
want to save it as normal doc. Then say yes. Next time you open word see if
the normal doc is the one with your name in it. If not, then additional
action is needed.... let us know..

 

[databaseben]

oops, the previous message also applies to normal.dot (sorry)

 

[garfield-n-odie [MVP]]

Normal.dot should not be in the Word startup folder... if it is,
then that could be why Word hangs on startup. Only Word can
create a new Normal.dot... you cannot create a new Normal.dot by
saving a blank document to the templates folder. Normal.dot is
usually in C:\D&S\user\AD\MS\Templates, but see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/BlankDocNotBlank.htm for
instructions on how to find Normal.dot on your computer, and how
to create a new Normal.dot from scratch.

 

[trapper1950]

I ran the repair process twice - once selecting Repair errors in my Office
installation, then selecting the Reinstall Office option - both with negative
results. I then uninstalled Office 2000 and did a "clean" install, yet Word
still "freezes" at the splash screen and goes into "non-responsive" mode.
Using RUN\winword.exe /a brings up Word immediately. Again, any help would
be appreciated!



(The search problem was resolved.)

 

[trapper1950]

Searches pointed me to eraser2k.exe (which wouldn't work as the OS is XP). I
then elected to manually delete the files and registry entries listed under
the instructions after which I re-installed O2K. Word does open correctly
now (though I don't know if other programs were effected).

Thanks to all who took the time to advise me on this matter!

 

[Beth Melton]

I'm sorry, but very little of this is correct. :-(

- Normal.dot is not located in the Office\Startup folder. It is
located in the User Templates folder. This location can be found by
going to Tools/Options/File Locations.

- The Startup folder contains various add-ins from third-party
manufacturers to integrate their functionality with Word. If you want
the functionality then you don't want to start deleting files in the
Startup folder.

- When a new Normal.dot is created and you restart Word, the document
you see is not Normal.dot. It is a blank document. If you type your
name and save the document all you are saving is a document - you will
not see your name typed in new documents you create.

You are correct about locating macros using the Tools menu. ;-)

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/