Weird Word 2000 Happenings

[Low_Level_Owl]

O.K. Here is the scenerio:

When a users opens a *.doc through explorer they can't use anything on the Word toolbar (File, Edit, View, Insert....).

example:

They Click File, Then Click Print. But when they click Print the Window begins flashing and it won't stop.

They Click Tools, Then Click Options. The Window again begins to flash.

And to stop it from flashing and continuing on, you have to minimize the window and maximize it again.

The only way to stop this from happening is by opening Word and then going to File\Open and opening the file through there. But if you double click on a *.doc in explorer the problem explained above happens.

So:

Opening a *.doc in explorer causes the problem to happen.

Opening a *.doc in Word does not.

Anyone have any ideas?

P.S. This problem happens on a fresh install and fully updated versions of Word.

[Lowland]

Bit of a long shot, but it sounds like the dialogue boxes associated with the commands are opening behind the Word window, or are opeing in a minimised state. Minimise and check.

I have also seen problems like this when working with merge documents - the (often Access) database window opens behind the Word window, and it appears as though no commands can be input.

Does the Word window appear greyed out when the commands are applied (is the application bar at the top greyed out)? If so, the Word window is not active, and there will be another window somewhere that is expecting commands

Good Luck!

[Low_Level_Owl]

See when I click on a command like Print from the the Toolbar, the window will flash. Active, Inactive, Active, Inactive, Active, Inactive. Sort of like in XP when you don't want a window to steal focus so it flashes until you click on it. But this only happens when I open a document by double clicking it in Windows Explorer. If I open a document through Word (File,Open) and then attempt to Print, the window will not flash like that.

The odd thing is that this is an image that I'm using for all the users and she's the only one experiencing this problem. I asked her if she messed around with anything and she promises me she didn't.

And this only happens in word.

[MacGyver]

Something that has helped me with unexplained Office problems is to remove Office through control panel and then run the Office Eraser utility from Microsoft to completely remove any Office related files or registry entries that might be left behind. Then reinstall Office. Get Eraser2000 here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q239938

There is also a version of Eraser for Office 97 available on MS's knowledgebase.

[Low_Level_Owl]

I used Erase2K to no avail....problem still exists!

[Poseidon]

Originally posted by Low_Level_Owl
I used Erase2K to no avail....problem still exists!

Pardon if this sounds a little obtuse; but I have used the same method as MacGyver on several occasions without a hitch. Did you uninstall Office before running the eraser utility?

Which OS? Also what other applications are installed? I have seen problems between Word and WinFax Pro before.

[Low_Level_Owl]

Yes, Office was uninstalled before I used Erase2k. Umm...the software is:

Windows 2000 w/ latest patches
Office 2000
Winzip 7
Acrobat Reader 5
PcAnywhere 10.5
Attachmate Extra! 6.5
Visio 2000
Cisco VPN Dialer
AT&T Dialer

that's all i can think of right now

[deseqer]

One thing you might want to try is after running that erase2k is go into safemode and run a defrag on the hard drive. Then reinstall office.

[TechLarry]

Originally posted by Low_Level_Owl
I used Erase2K to no avail....problem still exists!

Then I would start looking for 'play toys' the user has installed, or non-standard software, or something else that's been installed that is conflicting with Office.

There is no limit to what these folks can do to themselves

TL

[Low_Level_Owl]

I would agree with you but this is happening after I install a new image. I'm going to recreate the image in hopes that my problem will go away. I've only seen it happen on this computer but this is my only option.