Word 2002 File Lost when trying to Save

[GaiPilz]

I use Windows XP and Word 2000.

I have many files based on one template. I may be working on a file named
"1259.07.NoosaTimeline.doc". When I try to save the file I get several error
messages. First one says "Unrecoverable Disk Error of 1259.wbk. Disk has
media problems. Try formatting. Save to another disk." The second error
message says "Failed reading from Back Up. Restart network connection or
replace the floppy". Option to Retry does nothing. The last Error Message
states "Word has lost data due to a bad network connection or missing floppy.
Documents relying on this data are going to be saved and then closed". No
choice but to close Error Message boxes. Word closes and File disappears
from the directory and a search of the entire computer does not find original
file. The backup is visible but will not open due to the original file not
being available.

This problem does not happen all the time but is drastic when it does so I
now have to constantly do a "File Save As" (change name). Not quite so
drastic is that all the files based on this one template also crash when I
try to use a drawing tool. The file closes but is recovered by Word.

Gai

 

[Terry Farrell]

You say it happens with all documents based on a particular template: but
does it happen to other documents, say a new document based on the normal
template?

If it is only that template, it suggests the template is corrupt and the
corruption is propagated to the documents.

Are you working with a standalone PC and is it just that one template that
seems to be the problem?

 

[GaiPilz]

Hello Terry
My problem only happens with documents based on one particular template and
not others ie normal.dot. I am working on my PC at home which is connected
to my husband's computer via a wireless LAN and we work independently. The
files misbehave on his computer also. I have been using this template and
files based thereon for many months and it is only in the last month or so
that this problem has arisen. My files originated from an office in Sydney
which uses all MACs and they are interchanged frequently via email. I have
many, many files based on this template and they can be up to 70 pages long!

 

[Terry Farrell]

I'm fairly sure that Word 2002 has the Open & Repair option, so I suggest
trying to open one of the corrupt documents using Open & Repair. You will
find this if you click the little arrow attached to the OPEN button in the
File Open dialog. If that reports that it has found and fixed the problem,
then do the same for the Template. If that doesn't work, come back for some
further advice.

Terry

 

[GaiPilz]

I have done as you suggested and got a message box that says "Errors were
detected in this file, but Microsoft Word was able to open the file by making
the repairs listed below. Save the file to make the repairs permanent."
Underneath it lists "Numbered Styles 1". As I repeated this process through
my current 12 files the list varied between "Numbered Styles 1, 2 and 3" as
well as the occasional "Styles 1". The files now open without needing to be
repaired but as the "crash" was intermittent but frequent I have no way of
knowing if the repair has worked unless it all comes tumbling down. Do those
repairs as listed have any particular meaning? These files have been
formatted with Custom Styles.

 

[Terry Farrell]

Is it possible to send me either the template or one of its documents as an
email attachment to look at?

Terry

 

[GaiPilz]

Hi Terry
Sorry I an a true novice at this discussion group thing and I do not have an
email address for you.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Click on Terry's name in the message to go to his profile.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[Terry Farrell]

Gai

I have received your document. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it at
all. It opens instantly in both Word 2003 and Word 2007 (I don't have W2002
to test it with). I've looked at all the styles in use (very few - which is
good) and there's nothing odd that draws any attention. In fact, there's
little formatting to go wrong.

Something else must be at work unless it is the template (which I don't see,
of course). Before sending me the template to look at, try the following
test.

In Windows, from Start, Run, type in

winword /a

and press enter. This opens Word in its basic install mode bypassing
everything else. In Safe Mode, open one of the documents, make an edit and
save: does it still error?

Terry