Word closes with error message as soon as I open it

Question

When I open Microsoft Word it closes within 30 seconds every time. I am using XP. This started after a document was emailed to me are there viruses out there that Norton might not have caught that could cause this?

Denny Denham · Answer

mfrizz,

Make sure your system is set to display hidden files and folders then do a search for normal.dot. Right-click and delete every instance that is found. When you restart Word it will generate a new normal template and that should solve the problem.

Denny Denham · Answer

mfrizz, You can get a 'second opinion' on whether a virus might be involved by doing an online scan here. If that scan indicates that a virus is not present check for spyware. If you don't already do so, download Ad-aware from here and Spybot from here. Check online for updates to their databases then run them and delete all the spyware they identify.

mfrizz · Answer

Thanks Denny I have done that but still have the same problem.

mfrizz · Answer

I have tried reinstalling Word but still got the same error message. I just tried Notepad and Adobe acrobat too and they are doing the same (closing within 30 seconds of opening) Thanks:smileyhappy:

mfrizz · Answer

Hi Denny, I tried the downloads you suggested,got rid of lots of Ad Ware and Spy Ware but still no luck making Word work. Any other suggestions? Thanks

JD Scot · Answer

Is there a time you remember the Word Program worked correctly? If so you can use system restore to that time period. If not, try uninstalling and reinstalling Word.

Denny Denham · Answer

mfrizz, What is the error message you receive?

mfrizz · Answer

Mirosoft Word for Windows has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

"If you were in the middle of something,the informationyou were working on might be lost.

Please tell Microsoft about this problem etc etc"

"Error signature "

AppName:winword.exe AppVer:9.0.0.8216 ModName:unknown

ModVer.0.0.0.0 Offset:00000000

"The following files will be included with the error report"

C:\DOCUME~1\default\LOCALS~1\Temp\6bd-appcompat.txt

Hope this is the right info.

Thanks

Denny Denham · Answer

mfrizz,

This is what Microsoft offers regarding the error, but it isn't a lot of help. If the symptom is occurring in other programs it sounds very much like a virus. Another possibility is that it may be spyware which is not identified by Ad-aware or Spybot. If that is the case, download HijackThis from here. Run it and post the log it generates at http://forums.tomcoyote.org/ where the experts can analyze it and provide corrective measures.

mfrizz · Answer

Thanks Denny, I have sent the information to the Tom Coyote forum and I hope they can help. I will let you know. Thanks Mark

frustratedUser · Answer

I have had this happen before.  It is related to a virus.  It's nothing to worry about, just cumbersome and annoying to deal with.   First delete C:\DOCUME~1\default\LOCALS~1\Temp\6bd-appcompat.txt   Where ever you have saved the document you are trying to open (assuming this is not happening with every word document), delete any temorary files associated with this doc.   Again, follow what Denny said about deleting the normal.dot template.  Also delete any instance of the template such as ~$Normal.dot   Navigate to this folder *(UserName is the user on the computer) delete the .dot file here. C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates   You can also search your system for *.dot and delete all word associated templates with this extension.  After you reboot, open word and a new Normal.dot will be created.   If all this does not work, go here for an in depth routine that will surely resolve your issue http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ProbsOpeningWord.htm

mfrizz · Answer

:smileyhappy:Thanks for the help. One of the steps in the 'in depth process' worked not sure which one, but Word is happy now Many thanks Denny and Frustrated userfor your help.:smileyhappy:

Windows General

Word closes with error message as soon as I open it

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