Word opens, documents don't

[grammatim]

After last night's automatic Windows updates, Word2007 won't open
documents. Choosing the shortcut from Recent Documents makes Word
open, but the document doesn't; choosing Word from the Start menu
makes Word open, but Office Button > Open doesn't open a folder, and
after a moment the screen goes white, and then it has (Not Responding)
in the title bar.

It works fine in Safe Mode (Ctrl+Start menu).

I deleted all temp files following "problems opening Word" and "when
Word crashes," and with Disk Cleanup; but if there are things to do
involving registry keys and such, those articles don't seem to apply
to Vista.

 

[Beth Melton]

After last night's automatic Windows updates, Word2007 won't open
documents. Choosing the shortcut from Recent Documents makes Word
open, but the document doesn't; choosing Word from the Start menu
makes Word open, but Office Button > Open doesn't open a folder, and
after a moment the screen goes white, and then it has (Not Responding)
in the title bar.

It works fine in Safe Mode (Ctrl+Start menu).

I deleted all temp files following "problems opening Word" and "when
Word crashes," and with Disk Cleanup; but if there are things to do
involving registry keys and such, those articles don't seem to apply
to Vista.

If Word will start and open documents in Safe Mode then the issue could lie
in the Registry, an add-in, or the Normal template. If Word was running when
the update occurred then more than likely it corrupted the Data key in the
Registry. In the Registry (you should be able to type Regedit in the Search
box on the Start menu) navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Data

and rename the Data key.

You might also try renaming your Normal template (Normal.dotm). To find it,
in an Exploring Window (such as My Computer) copy/paste the following in the
Address bar:

%AppData%\Microsoft\Templates

If that doesn't resolve the issue then what add-ins do you have installed?
To view them, click the Office Button, click Word Options, and view the
Add-ins section.

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Melton
What is a Microsoft MVP? http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/mvpfaqs

Guides for the Office 2007 Interface:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/HA102295841033.aspx

 

[grammatim]

If Word will start and open documents in Safe Mode then the issue could lie
in the Registry, an add-in, or the Normal template. If Word was running when
the update occurred then more than likely it corrupted the Data key in the
Registry. In the Registry (you should be able to type Regedit in the Search
box on the Start menu) navigate to:

Regedit returns no matching items found, and so does HKEY (both with
"Hidden" checked). Data turned up lots, but not any folders with the
below pathname preceding it. So I haven't found where to rename the
Data key. (What does one rename it to?)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Data

and rename the Data key.

You might also try renaming your Normal template (Normal.dotm). To find it,
in an Exploring Window (such as My Computer) copy/paste the following in the
Address bar:

%AppData%\Microsoft\Templates

Changing it to Normal.old.dotm didn't help.

If that doesn't resolve the issue then what add-ins do you have installed?
To view them, click the Office Button, click Word Options, and view the
Add-ins section.

Snag-It add-in

Custom XML Data
Headers, Footers, and Watermarks
Hidden Text
Normal.dot
Table Layout Menu.dotm

NB opening in normal mode, I couldn't leave the "Popular" group of
Word Options. The above were shown in Safe mode.

 

[Beth Melton]

Regedit returns no matching items found, and so does HKEY (both with
"Hidden" checked). Data turned up lots, but not any folders with the
below pathname preceding it. So I haven't found where to rename the
Data key. (What does one rename it to?)

I don't have Vista handy to help out on this, but when you open the Registry
instead of Searching did you try manually navigating to the location as you
would folders in the Windows Explorer instead of using Find? Perhaps someone
who uses Vista can assist but the last time I was in the Vista registry it
looked similar to what I've seen in previous versions so I'm not sure.

As for what to rename it, whatever you'd like as long as it's no longer
"Data". I usually use something like "DataOld". When Word starts and cannot
find the Data key it will create a new one using the default settings.

I do suspect this is the issue so see if you can get the Data key located
and renamed to rule it out before proceeding to the add-ins.

Changing it to Normal.old.dotm didn't help.


Snag-It add-in

Custom XML Data
Headers, Footers, and Watermarks
Hidden Text
Normal.dot
Table Layout Menu.dotm

NB opening in normal mode, I couldn't leave the "Popular" group of
Word Options. The above were shown in Safe mode.

It's possible one of the add-ins are creating the issue. Check the Type
column and note the add-in type. If it's a COM add-ins, such as SnagIt, you
can use the "Manage" command at the bottom to open the COM Add-ins dialog
box and remove the tick in the check box disable them. For those that are
templates you need to move them out of the folder they are located in to
prevent them from loading when Word starts. Of course those under the
"Inactive Application Add-ins" heading are fine and you don't need to worry
about them.

Also, are you able to display the Open dialog box if you use Ctrl+O?
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Melton
What is a Microsoft MVP? http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/mvpfaqs

Guides for the Office 2007 Interface:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/HA102295841033.aspx

 

[grammatim]

Hmm, I sent a reply to this message an hour ago, and it hasn't
appeared yet.

If Word will start and open documents in Safe Mode then the issue could lie
in the Registry, an add-in, or the Normal template. If Word was running when
the update occurred then more than likely it corrupted the Data key in the
Registry. In the Registry (you should be able to type Regedit in the Search
box on the Start menu) navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Data

and rename the Data key.

Oops, I tried Search with no results ... then I tried Run, and I got
the Registry Editor, and once I'd gotten all the way down to the
folder called Data, it had three items in it: (Default), Settings, and
Toolbars. Which one do I change to what?

You might also try renaming your Normal template (Normal.dotm). To find it,
in an Exploring Window (such as My Computer) copy/paste the following in the
Address bar:

%AppData%\Microsoft\Templates

Changing it to normal.old.dotm didn't do anything.

If that doesn't resolve the issue then what add-ins do you have installed?
To view them, click the Office Button, click Word Options, and view the
Add-ins section.

SnagIt add-in

Custom XML Editor
Headers, Footers, and Watermarks
Hidden Text
normal.dot
Table Layout Menu.dotm

(Accessible only in Safe mode -- in Normal mode I can't choose
anything but Popular.)

 

[Beth Melton]

Oops, I tried Search with no results ... then I tried Run, and I got
the Registry Editor, and once I'd gotten all the way down to the
folder called Data, it had three items in it: (Default), Settings, and
Toolbars. Which one do I change to what?

Right-click the Data key (folder) and click Rename. Name it DataOld or
whatever you'd like.

You can delete it too but if you have modified numerous settings in Word and
find creating a new Data key doesn't resolve the issue you can delete the
newly created Data key and rename your old one back. If you do find creating
a new Data key resolves the issue then be sure to check your preferences in
Word Options since many of the settings are stored in the Data key,
specifically the Settings value.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Melton
What is a Microsoft MVP? http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/mvpfaqs

Guides for the Office 2007 Interface:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/HA102295841033.aspx

 

[grammatim]

Right-click the Data key (folder) and click Rename. Name it DataOld or
whatever you'd like.

That seems to have done it. Opened fine, the QAT still has all its
icons, and all the menus under Office Button are available.

Muchas gracias!

(Note that you had told me to Search it, not to Run it.)

You can delete it too but if you have modified numerous settings in Word and
find creating a new Data key doesn't resolve the issue you can delete the
newly created Data key and rename your old one back. If you do find creating
a new Data key resolves the issue then be sure to check your preferences in
Word Options since many of the settings are stored in the Data key,
specifically the Settings value.

So why are you calling it "Data key" when it's a folder? Is it another
example of "legacy terminology"? I was mightly confused for an awful
long time because people kept telling me to do things in Explorer that
had nothing to do with the internets -- so I figured out eventually
that it just meant "folders" -- and just the other day someone here
mentioned that "Explorer" is "now" called "(My) Computer" -- meaning
it hasn't been called "Explorer" since at least the introduction of XP.

 

[Beth Melton]

That seems to have done it. Opened fine, the QAT still has all its
icons, and all the menus under Office Button are available.

Muchas gracias!

You're welcome.

(Note that you had told me to Search it, not to Run it.)

If you type Regedit in the Search box on the Start menu does that not find
it so you can execute it? It's my understanding that the Run command may not
be visible in Windows Vista but typing Regedit in the Search box should
locate it. Sorry if that seemed vague.

So why are you calling it "Data key" when it's a folder? Is it another
example of "legacy terminology"? I was mightly confused for an awful
long time because people kept telling me to do things in Explorer that
had nothing to do with the internets -- so I figured out eventually
that it just meant "folders"

What you see in the Registry are actually called "keys". It's not legacy
terminology, it's just what they are called. I realized this was a term
you weren't familiar with when you called it a "folder" and why I referenced
(folder) in my later reply in hopes of making the term more clear for you.
Here's a reference on Wikipedia if that helps. Check out the "Keys and
values" section:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Registry

Wikipedia is great for looking up any computer term you may not be familiar
with. As you've discovered, when it comes to computer terminology folks
don't always use the "standard" terms and much like the English language it
tends to have its share of slang. Personally I try to use the correct
terminology and forgo the slang. I'm a little pedantic when it comes to
computer terminology - my biggest pet peeve in Office 2007 is when someone
calls a "tab" a "ribbon". I suspect it's similar to how you might cringe
when someone uses a possessive apostrophe and adds an extra "s" on a plural

-- and just the other day someone here
mentioned that "Explorer" is "now" called "(My) Computer" -- meaning
it hasn't been called "Explorer" since at least the introduction of XP.

My Computer, now named "Computer" in Vista, is simply a shortcut that opens
the Windows Explorer. The Windows Explorer is still named" Windows Explorer"
and has been since Windows 95. As you noted, some are dropping "Windows" and
are calling it "Explorer". Even Microsoft does this in some of their
articles on their web site and calls it an "Explorer window". I think that
is confusing. There is the Internet Explorer and the Windows Explorer. I
don't see how you can use only the term "Explorer" and expect someone to
know what you are referring to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Melton
What is a Microsoft MVP? http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/mvpfaqs

Guides for the Office 2007 Interface:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/HA102295841033.aspx

 

[grammatim]

You're welcome.


If you type Regedit in the Search box on the Start menu does that not find
it so you can execute it? It's my understanding that the Run command may not
be visible in Windows Vista but typing Regedit in the Search box should
locate it. Sorry if that seemed vague.

Nope! (I also tried Searching Registry Editor just now, and also no
results.)

There's neither a Run box nor a Search box in Vista's Start menu; both
of those are now choices in the column of stuff at the right of the
Start window. (They even made Restart harder to find.)

What you see in the Registry are actually called "keys". It's not legacy
terminology, it's just what they are called. I realized this was a term
you weren't familiar with when you called it a "folder" and why I referenced
(folder) in my later reply in hopes of making the term more clear for you..
Here's a reference on Wikipedia if that helps. Check out the "Keys and
values" section:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Registry

Doesn't seem to mention anything newer than NT!

Wikipedia is great for looking up any computer term you may not be familiar

Has some group taking it upon itself to police wikipedia's computer
terminology treatments? LINGUIST List, a central communication system
for the world's linguists, a year or so ago organized a project to try
to make all linguistics entries reliable and up-to-date and looks to
experts to prepare each entry. (But there are still topics that can
attract political kookery.)

with. As you've discovered, when it comes to computer terminology folks
don't always use the "standard" terms and much like the English language it
tends to have its share of slang. Personally I try to use the correct
terminology and forgo the slang. I'm a little pedantic when it comes to
computer terminology - my biggest pet peeve in Office 2007 is when someone
calls a "tab" a "ribbon". I suspect it's similar to how you might cringe
when someone uses a possessive apostrophe and adds an extra "s" on a plural
word judging by your screen name. <grin>

It even has a name -- "the greengrocer's apostrophe" (no joke:
punctuation is a subject in American grammar schools, but not in
British grammar schools, so the misuse is much more common over
there). We like to write "greengroc'ers."

My Computer, now named "Computer" in Vista, is simply a shortcut that opens
the Windows Explorer. The Windows Explorer is still named" Windows Explorer"
and has been since Windows 95. As you noted, some are dropping "Windows" and
are calling it "Explorer". Even Microsoft does this in some of their
articles on their web site and calls it an "Explorer window". I think that
is confusing. There is the Internet Explorer and the Windows Explorer. I
don't see how you can use only the term "Explorer" and expect someone to
know what you are referring to.

Thank you! But I have yet to see "(Windows) Explorer" anywhere on my
screen.

 

[Beth Melton]

Nope! (I also tried Searching Registry Editor just now, and also no
results.)

There's neither a Run box nor a Search box in Vista's Start menu; both
of those are now choices in the column of stuff at the right of the
Start window. (They even made Restart harder to find.)

Thank you for verifying this. I'm not currently using Vista so I verified my
instructions prior to posting them. Here's what I referenced:
http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1151313

Under "Viewing the Registry" it reads: "The Registry editor doesn't have a
Start menu item. The easiest way to run it is to type regedit into the
Search field on the Start menu."

Looks like this is something I'll need to add to my list when I have access
to Vista again.

Doesn't seem to mention anything newer than NT!

Windows Vista falls into the category of "Windows NT-based operating
systems". So much to know, isn't there???

Has some group taking it upon itself to police wikipedia's computer
terminology treatments? LINGUIST List, a central communication system
for the world's linguists, a year or so ago organized a project to try
to make all linguistics entries reliable and up-to-date and looks to
experts to prepare each entry. (But there are still topics that can
attract political kookery.)

I have no idea. Trying to keep up with the Office applications is enough for
me these days.

It even has a name -- "the greengrocer's apostrophe" (no joke:
punctuation is a subject in American grammar schools, but not in
British grammar schools, so the misuse is much more common over
there). We like to write "greengroc'ers."

How interesting! Calling it "the greengrocer's apostrophe" is much easier
than trying to describe it.

Thank you! But I have yet to see "(Windows) Explorer" anywhere on my
screen.

Yeah, the same is true in Windows XP. If I'm not mistaken in Vista you don't
see a name in the title bar when you're viewing the Windows Explorer. Is
that correct?

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Melton
What is a Microsoft MVP? http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/mvpfaqs

Guides for the Office 2007 Interface:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/HA102295841033.aspx

 

[grammatim]

Yeah, the same is true in Windows XP. If I'm not mistaken in Vista you don't
see a name in the title bar when you're viewing the Windows Explorer. Is
that correct?

Assuming you mean Start > Computer, there isn't really a discrete
thing that could be called a title bar, just about 1/2 cm of shaded
blue area above the window where the path of the currently displayed
folder appears, to the left of the min-max-close buttons.

 

[Beth Melton]

Assuming you mean Start > Computer, there isn't really a discrete
thing that could be called a title bar, just about 1/2 cm of shaded
blue area above the window where the path of the currently displayed
folder appears, to the left of the min-max-close buttons.

Yes, that is what I was referring to. Now that the window has no visible
name who knows what folks are going to call it in the future or how they
will refer to it. A nameless window only lends itself to more confusion.
<sigh>

Thank you for verifying this as well.

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Melton
What is a Microsoft MVP? http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/mvpfaqs

Guides for the Office 2007 Interface:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/HA102295841033.aspx