Word 2007 loads open/loads very SLOWLY, even blank new docs

[Ted]

I'm running Word 2007 in XP Pro, Virtual OS on my Macbook Pro via Parallels.
The program takes 30-45 seconds to open, as does opening .doc or .docx files,
even blank new documents. While the program or file is opening, the computer
is tied up, cannot do anything else! Get the spinning rainbow colored ball
(Mac's "hourglass"). I have 4 GB of Ram, Dual Core 2.4 processor, 200 GB HD,
running on a new computer. I've tried checking for default printers that Word
might be looking for, removed add-ins, to no avail. Help!

 

[alborg]

Try to delete or rename your Normal.dotm file. Note: you will not be able to
delete or rename if Word is running. Close Word and Outlook and ensure there
are no phantom instances of Word by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL and close any
winword.exe processes that are open.

 

[Ted]

I used the "Search" feature to locate the Normal.dotm file, not matches,
couldn't find a file by that name anywhere on the C drive.

Ted

 

[Ted]

Update: I had failed to search "hidden" files, so I search again, found the
file, renamed it XNormal.dotm. Opened Word, no difference. Strange, though,
when I attempted to rename the XNoral.dotm file back to its original name w/o
the X, couldn't because of another file by the same name!? Found that one, in
the same location, changed it to YNormal.dotm, and, yep, a third one
appeared. As it that original file name refuses to go away--if I change its
name, it just "clones" itself. I had no instances of Word running when I did
this.

 

[alborg]

Hi Ted:

But did you make sure that you didn't have any hidden instances invoked? Do
the ctrl+alt+del to make sure that an instance of WINWORD.EXE or something
of that sort.

Cheers,
Al

 

[alborg]

BTW, you said you "checked" for default printers, but did you actually REMOVE
all your printer objects? You should do that then add in a default basic HP
printer object.

Cheers,
Al

 

[Graham Mayor]

If the normal template is missing, Word will create a new one when it
restarts. There is nothing to be attained by persistently renaming as this
is clearly not the problem. Other issues to investigate are add-ins, the
validity of the printer driver and virus scanning. Checking of Word/Office
documents can usually be deselected in the AV program e.g. in Norton AV by
turning off its Office Plug-in.

With some versions of the Norton product it may be necessary to unregister
the calling DLL by running the following command line from Windows > Start >
Run

regsvr32 /u "c:\program files\norton antivirus\officeav.dll"
or
regsvr32 /u "c:\program files\norton systemworks\norton
antivirus\officeav.dll"

Other AV apps eg the popular free ediition of Grisoft's AVG antivirus
software, require similar treatment.
In this instance:

regsvr32 /u "C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgoff2k.dll"

See http://www.gmayor.com/what_to_do_when_word_crashes.htm then
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ProblemsStartingWord.htm.

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Graham Mayor - Word MVP


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