Try the generic fix for most Word problems. Exit Word and then do a file search for normal.dot. Delele all copies of normal.dot found on your PC. Restart Word and it will recreate the normal.dot template. See if that fixes it.
Sounds like you're having wider problems then just Word. Scanned for viruses, spyware, etc. lately? Did you include hidden and system files in your search for normal.dot? If the search froze, it may not have done it correctly. Word must load a template file when it starts which is usually normal.dot, unless you created a modified version and gave it a new name.
You probably should reboot and do a system file check to see if any XP files are damaged.
Click start>run
type in: sfc /scannow
(space between sfc and /)
sfc will replace any missing or damaged system files but won't hurt any of your personal files or settings. It may ask for your XP CD.
When sfc is done, do another search for normal.dot.
Indeed the problems are not limited to Word. I have scanned for viruses with Norton. I have MS antispy running, which I installed just a few days ago at your suggestion.
I ran a second file search which included hidden files, and was able to find a few normal.dot files, which I deleted. I then performed a reboot, and open a new word doc, which was fine. I then tried to copy a paragrapy of text from a web page into the word doc, and word froze just like before. I get an hourglass that just keeps running and I can no longer close the program, unless I end program with task manager.
I ran the sfc /scannow and it finished.
I ran the search again and located two files, (one with a tilde in front of the filename, which has a diminished transparent image)
The good news is that the search completed, and the box closed without seizing.
Follow the prompts. If that doesn't work, you'll likely have to uninstall Office completely and reinstall. Hope you have the CD and CD jacket with product key.
Guess you answered your own question. If the boards are full of similar complaints, MS doesn't have a fix.
Did you perhaps update to the Word 2003 SP2 in the last week or so? Any indication that's linked to the problem?
If it were my system, I'd uninstall and reinstall Office. Back up your personal dictionaries, macros etc so you restore them quickly after the reinstall.
Ok, so I attempted to uninstall Office 2003, but It hangs like it did with Detect and repair.
I get the dialogue box with "Please wait while Windows configures Microsoft Office Basic Edition 2003." The progress bar goes along and the hard drive is grinding away, but after about 8 minutes it stops grinding, the progress bar goes blank and I get the hanging hourglass.
So basically I can't uninstal office and reinstal it, because the uninstall process is hanging up.
I cleared the temp folder as suggested but still cant paste from web.
I was hoping Allan's suggestion would solve the problem. I'm starting to think you have a HD drive problem here. :(
Reboot and click start>run
type in: chkdsk C:/f
Click OK
The cmd screen will say it can't lock the HD and ask if you want to queue chkdsk for the next boot. Press Y (enter)
Reboot from the desktop and chkdsk will do it's thing.
Once that's done, run the disk defragmenter which is under Accessories>System tools
RoHe
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October 3rd, 2005 17:00
Ron
trburwell
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October 3rd, 2005 18:00
RoHe
10 Elder
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October 3rd, 2005 19:00
You probably should reboot and do a system file check to see if any XP files are damaged.
Click start>run
type in: sfc /scannow
(space between sfc and /)
sfc will replace any missing or damaged system files but won't hurt any of your personal files or settings. It may ask for your XP CD.
When sfc is done, do another search for normal.dot.
Ron
trburwell
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October 3rd, 2005 20:00
trburwell
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October 3rd, 2005 21:00
I have tried the things that you suggested, and firther I tried turning off Norton Internet security, and MS antispy.
Still when I try to copy and paste into word, the app seizes.
Do you have any other ideas?
Tim
RoHe
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October 3rd, 2005 22:00
If those work, open Word and on the toolbar select Help>Detect and Repair. You'll probably need your Office 2003 CD.
Ron
Message Edited by RoHe on 10-03-2005 04:48 PM
trburwell
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October 3rd, 2005 23:00
I tried to copy a text paragraph from a yahoo news story.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051003/ap_on_re_us/new_orleans
copied second paragraph.
Word and excel both seized when I tried to paste, notepad and wordpad both pasted with no problem.
Tried help>Detect and repair... went for about 10 min.... now hanging hourglass. i can't catch a break.
Tim
trburwell
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October 4th, 2005 00:00
RoHe
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October 4th, 2005 00:00
Follow the prompts. If that doesn't work, you'll likely have to uninstall Office completely and reinstall. Hope you have the CD and CD jacket with product key.
Ron
RoHe
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45.2K Posts
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October 4th, 2005 15:00
Did you perhaps update to the Word 2003 SP2 in the last week or so? Any indication that's linked to the problem?
If it were my system, I'd uninstall and reinstall Office. Back up your personal dictionaries, macros etc so you restore them quickly after the reinstall.
Ron
abach
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October 4th, 2005 16:00
As an added suggestion:
Clear your temp folder. Start, Run, type
%temp%
Click OK. Remove as many files as possible.
Also, try a registry cleaner. Tune Up Utilities has a trial version avaialble << here >> that includes a nice registry cleaner.
trburwell
14 Posts
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October 4th, 2005 17:00
RoHe
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October 4th, 2005 18:00
Reboot and click start>run
type in: chkdsk C:/f
Click OK
The cmd screen will say it can't lock the HD and ask if you want to queue chkdsk for the next boot. Press Y (enter)
Reboot from the desktop and chkdsk will do it's thing.
Once that's done, run the disk defragmenter which is under Accessories>System tools
Now try to uninstall/reinstall Office...
Ron
trburwell
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October 4th, 2005 19:00
Guys, thanks so much for all the suggestions.
I got fed up and called dell support. We checked the drive and it is ok, but I'm still having the problems.
I am backing up my documents to a cd, and we are going to restore all software including the operating system from scratch.
Wish me luck, I don't seem to have any so far. But I'm still hopeful.
Tim
rickmktg
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October 4th, 2005 20:00