Reducing System Resource Usage

[Guest]

I have always used MSOffice, but recently I switched to OpenOffice because
its wordprcessor uses around 50% less CPU resources, allowing me to run other
application without overheating my lap top (a Dell, with P4M and 512MB of
memory). I would like to come back to MSOffice since I am more comfortable
with it. Is there a way to reduce the system resource usage of Word/Office?

Thanks in Advance

 

[Guest]

One thing is to _remove_ any fonts that you don't really need & aren't
required by the operating system. Along the same lines, make sure you go t
Tools>Customize - Options and remove the check to List fontnames in their
fonts.

Regads |:>)

 

[Guest]

Thanks. I will try that. I would welcome other suggestions, if any.

 

[Jay Freedman]

Hi Amir,

Try to shut off as many of Word's background processes as possible.
This includes:

- In Tools > Options > Spelling & Grammar, uncheck "Check spelling as
you type" and "Check grammar as you type".

- In Tools > AutoCorrect Options, uncheck everything on the
AutoCorrect and AutoFormat As You Type tabs, and uncheck the "Show
AutoComplete suggestions" box on the AutoText tab and the "Label text
with smart tags" box on the Smart Tags tab.

- Work only in Normal view with the draft font until you need to see
page layout. In Tools > Options > General, uncheck the "Background
repagination" box (which is enabled only when you're in Normal view).
If you use inline graphics, go into Tools > Options > View and check
the box for "Picture placeholders"; uncheck it only to verify that the
graphics are the correct ones, and then check it again.

- As much as possible, avoid using long or complex tables. See
http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/TblsFldsFms/FastTables.htm for
suggestions.

This isn't specific to Word, but you might be interested in "Laptop
Legs" (http://www.laptopdesk.net/access-legsf.html) that lift the back
of the laptop to improve the air circulation. I haven't tried them,
but they got a recommendation in our local newspaper.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP
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