Multiple Opening of Normal.dot (Word 2000, SR-1)

[Bob Harris]

I know that it is best to open Word documents from the Word Open Menu, or from the New or Open Document choice in the Start Menu. However, sometimes in the crunch of work I do the unmentionable and just click on document files from the file manager. I know this is not the best but it's worked well until now. If I click on a file, I now get two instances of Word, both trying to edit the Normal.dot. I thought maybe the Normal.dot was corrupted, so I allowed Word to make a new one and I did all of my settings again; but the result is the same.

I also tried Detect and Repair utility, to no avail.

Anybody have any idea what's going on? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot.

Sincerely,
Bob Harris

[Gary Frieder]

Bob,

Have a look at this post by Phil R.

Gary

[Howard Kaikow]

Clicking on a Word document in Windows Explorer does not cause an additional instance of Word 2000 to start. Indeed, most of the time I use Word, I do so by double-clicking on files in Windoze Explorer.

You might have AutoOPen macro that does something that is affected by opening a second document.

[Bob Harris]

Thanks for your reply, Gary. I checked the post and followed the directions. I found that all seems OK. I also cannot find any other instances of Normal.dot anywhere other than the templates directory. What happens is Word opens and give messages about Normal.dot being corrupted. This bahavior started recently, so there's probably been some kind of change somewhere. I've checked viruses, by the way, and have found none. I'm pretty careful about viruses; updated NAV, not taking unknown attachments, etc.

I'll keep looking. I very much appreciate your thoughts, thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Bob

[Bob Harris]

Hi Howard,
Thanks for your thoughts on my situation. I do not seem to have any such macro in the macro list. I've only created one macro over the years and that had to do with making automatic entries for section headings that go into table of contents.

I very much appreciate the thought you gave my problem and am grateful.

Sincerely,

Bob Harris

[jscher2000]

In Windows Explorer, check what happens with .doc type files when you open them (look under, Tools, Folder options, File Types and drill down to the Open command for Word documents). Does it look like this?

Application used to perform action:
"C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOfficeWINWORD.EXE" /n

Use DDE [checked]

DDE Message:
[REM _DDE_Direct][FileOpen("%1")]

Application:
Winword

DDE Application not running:


Topic:
System

[Bob Harris]

Yes, it does look like that. I did some changes to some file locations, so now everything is pointing to the proper place. That changed the behavior of the misbehaving program <img src=/S/smile.gif border=0 alt=smile width=15 height=15> in that, now, if I click on a .doc file in the windows explorer (or Powerdesk), Word opens up, flashes the programs title bar for about 10 seconds then gives me the message that the path to the file is incorrect, or the permissions are not correct, etc., I click OK, it repeats the message, I click OK, and then it opens the file......

I'm beginning to wonder if I should uninstall Word and reinstall it. Or, if this may have something to do with Windows XP Pro, which is the OS.

--Bob

[Howard Kaikow]

I expect that you have a configuration problem of some type.

Re-installation won't help.

You have to place the templates in the proper directories, then make sure the Tools |options | File Locations points to the right places.

You should get the MSFT Press Office Resource Book for your version of Office.

[Bob Harris]

Thanks for your thoughts, Howard. Your suggestion of getting the Office Resource book makes sense. I have all of the File Locations set where they should be......I think.

Do you guys sell the Office Resource Book for Office 2000?

--Bob <img src=/S/smile.gif border=0 alt=smile width=15 height=15>