Word XP (2002) crashes when I try to insert a text box

[Bob Jones]

A couple of weeks ago, I posted the following message:

I am running Word 2002 under Windows XP.

Yesterday, I discovered that I cannot insert a text box in a Word document.
Every time I try, I get an error message and Word goes into recovery mode.
I have had this version of Word for over a year and have inserted text
boxes many times with no problem.

Is it something I did or something I installed? I did install MSN 9 Dial
Up and Roxio Easy CD & DVD Creator 6 recently.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Since posting that message, I have tried renaming normal.dot, but that
didn't solve the problem. I have since noted that I cannot insert
AutoShapes, Organization Charts, New Drawing, etc, without causing Word to
crash (although some inserts, like clip art, DO work ok). Any ideas? TIA

--------------------Bob Jones

 

[Andre Da Costa]

Have you applied the latest Service Pack and Patches for Word 2002?

Andre Da Costa
Jamaica W.I.

 

[Bob Jones]

Yes, I am up to date with all security updates, fixes, and service packs.
The office update site verifies this.

 

[Rick B.]

What does the error message say?

 

[Bob Jones]

An error report box appears, with the message: "Microsoft Word has
encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the
inconvenience." (The error might involve the file mso.dll)

What does the error message say?

My posting of 2/12/04 was as follows:
A couple of weeks ago, I posted the following message:

I am running Word 2002 under Windows XP.

Yesterday, I discovered that I cannot insert a text box in a Word document.
Every time I try, I get an error message and Word goes into recovery mode.
I have had this version of Word for over a year and have inserted text
boxes many times with no problem.

Is it something I did or something I installed? I did install MSN 9 Dial
Up and Roxio Easy CD & DVD Creator 6 recently.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Since posting that message, I have tried renaming normal.dot, but that
didn't solve the problem. I have since noted that I cannot insert
AutoShapes, Organization Charts, New Drawing, etc, without causing Word to
crash (although some inserts, like clip art, DO work ok). Any ideas? TIA

--------------------Bob Jones

 

[Rick B.]

Although not exactly the same symptoms, this may be the problem:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313457&Product=wd2002

 

[Beth Melton]

Hi Bob,

First make sure you cleared all of your temp files. Word creates temp
files for various information such as embedded objects. If Word
encounters rogue temp file then many strange errors can occur.

Delete all temp (*.tmp) files:
- Exit Word and Outlook if you are using it as your email editor and
reboot your computer if you recently experienced a crash
- Go to Start/Find/Files or Folders (or Start/Search then select Files
or Folders)
- Change "Look in" to reflect the drive/folder to the root of your
Local drive.
- In the Named text box, type *.tmp
- Click the "Find Now" command
- Delete the temp files you find.

*Note that these can be deleted directly from the Find Results.

To group the files for a single deletion:
- Click any file in the list
- Press <Ctrl A> to select all

Should you encounter a "File in use" error, press <Ctrl> and click the
file to deselect it.

As an additional note, the Owner file is another temporary files Word
creates. If you have been experiencing multiple crashes or if Word has
been hanging on you then it is best to search for Owner files
(~$*.do?) and delete those as well. These can cause "file in use" and
"read only" errors.

For more information on this and a full cleanup/maintenance procedure
that should be run periodically, see this article:
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/AppErrors/LockedFiles.htm


--
Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/