Word 2000 fails to open

[Derek]

Windows XP SP2, IE 7 with OE 6, Microsoft Works Suite 2000 with Word 2000.

I have successfully used Word 2000 from the date of purchase until the
recent round of Microsoft's Security Updates (10 May 2007). In fact I
successfully produced a letter just prior to updating. Since the updates
Word begins to open (gets to the typing page) and then closes with the
option to send a defect report to MS.

I have used System Restore to return to a date just prior to the Security
Updates; No change in the defect symptoms.
I have un-installed and re-installed Word; No change in the defect symptoms.

Can anyone help me out of this predicament?

Derek

 

[Jay Freedman]

The problem is probably related to a damaged Normal.dot template or a
malfunctioning add-in. You can try to verify that by going to Start menu >
Run and entering the command

winword /a

If Word then runs (but without any of your customizations), then the problem
is in one of the three areas suppressed by the /a switch: the Normal.dot
template, add-ins, and certain settings in the Windows registry.

For more information, see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ProbsOpeningWord.htm. (Please be
patient. That site is not functioning at the moment, but should be working
again soon. Oh, the irony!)

 

[Derek]

Thank you Jay. The command "winword /a" allowed Word to run, so now I will
pursue the matter further.
Derek

 

[Jay Freedman]

Since the site is still down, here's the next step in the troubleshooting
procedure:

With Word closed down, use Windows Explorer to open the folder

%appdata%\Microsoft\Templates

Rename the file Normal.dot to OldNormal.dot. (Some people recommend deleting
the file, but just renaming it lets you save any customizations it contains
and move them to the new file you're about to create.)

Restart Word, without the /a switch. When it fails to find Normal.dot, it
will create a new one from the defaults that are internal in the program. If
Word now starts without a problem, then the old Normal.dot was damaged. You
can use the Organizer (Tools > Templates & Add-Ins > Organizer) to copy
styles, toolbars, macros, and AutoText from OldNormal.dot to Normal.dot, and
then delete OldNormal.dot.

If rebuilding Normal.dot doesn't solve the problem, then shut down Word,
remove the new Normal.dot, and rename OldNormal.dot as Normal.dot. The next
step is to find and remove all add-ins, then restore them one at a time
until (we hope) you find the one that causes the problem. For the method of
locating various kinds of add-ins, see
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011514521033.aspx. (There's
one more step beyond this, if the add-ins aren't the cause -- post back if
you need that.)

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

 

[ME]

Hi Jay sorry to be a Pain in the A but I can't find the file Normal.dot.

I have the following: Program Files\Microsoft Office\Templates\1033\, in the
folder 1033 there are twelve files named *.dot (Contemporary Fax.dot,
Contemporary Letter.dot etc.) However, I can't find one called Normal.dot.
I've checked my son's computer and he doesn't appear to have a Normal.dot
file in his folder 1033. Am I looking in the correct location?

Derek

 

[Graham Mayor]

No! Normal.dot is in the folder defined in tools > options > file locations

user templates.

This is probably a hidden folder. Set Windows Explorer to display hidden
files.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[Derek]

Thank you Graham & Jay, my Word 2000 is not functioning correctly.
Derek

 

[Derek]

Oops! That should read "my Word 2000 is NOW functioning correctly.
Derek