Domain users unable to open Word 2003

[Hfnet]

Hi,

Some of our domain users (it is random and sporadic) experience issues when opening Word 2003 on their machines. It will say that Word has encountered a problem and needs to close. We then try reopening but it just loops. If we start winword /a it is fine.

There are no addins and we have deleted Normal.dot from the affected machines. We have also tried removing the data folder from registry in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Micorosft\Office\11.0\Word as found while researching online, but the only thing that cures it is to create a new user profile.

Obviously this is time-consuming and it is something we would like to avoid.

Has anyone got any other suggestions as to what may be causing this? The only possible pointer we have just now is one user said it seemed to happen when he opened an attachment from outlook, but we cannot find anything.

The logs are not helping pinpoint this issue either.

Thanks!

 

[wahnula]

Probably just a WAG, but once Word is open check the macro security (Tools==>Macro==>Security). Try setting it at its lowest level. Like I said, it's a WAG but sometimes even a WAG is welcome!

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[TonyJollans]

Rather than the HKLM registry key, the one to delete is:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Micorosft\Office\11.0\Word\Data

If it keeps on happening, however, and isn't a one-off corruption, that won't be a permanent fix and I'm not aware of anything that may cause it.



Enjoy,
Tony

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[Hfnet]

Sorry, typo, that was the one we found!

 

[TonyJollans]

If all is well with winword /a but not otherwise then it is almost certainly ann addIn - even if you think you have none. Double-check for both 'normal' and COM AddIns to be sure.

I'm not entirely sure what creating a new user profile will do (related to Word) that recreating Normal and the registry settings won't do - except, perhaps, clear out addins

Enjoy,
Tony

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We want to help you; help us to do it by reading this: Before you ask a question.

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[Hfnet]

We have checked everything possible. We've had 3 sets of eyes on this issue and still can't figure it out!

There really do seem to be no addins whatsoever anywhere...

Really odd!

 

[tf1]

The other possibility is the printer driver is bad. Word MUST see a locally installed compatible printer driver set as the Windows default. So check to see if there is some commonality with printer setup for the users affected.

Also, try logging in as a different user on one of the workstations having the problem. Does that make any difference.

Also, see how to find add-ins

http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/CheckIfAddinsInstalled.htm

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011514521033.aspx

Regards: tf1