Message "Connecting....... Press Esc to Cancel" when start-up

[aushknotes]

Word 2003 & 2007. When opening a document copied from somebody else, with no
attached template, no customized toolbars or menus, no known external
references in document, a message displayed on the status bar "Connecting to
printer. Press Esc to Cancel" or "Connecting to (a path not exist on my PC).
Press Esc to Cancel" and keep waiting for a long time (more than 20 minutes).
What is Word trying to do here? Does Word memorize what is left over from the
last opening of the document and therefore trying to re-connect the that
device? Please kindly help. How can I stop Word from doing this re-connection
anymore?

Many thanks,

 

[Stefan Blom]

Note that you need a default printer for Word to function correctly.

For the other issue, try disconnecting the network drive: Double-click My
Computer on the desktop. On the Tools menu, click Disconnect Network Drive
from the context menu. Select the drive(s) and click OK.

 

[aushknotes]

Thanks very much for your suggestion. After researching similar topics in
this forum, I'm suspecting the network printer driver could be the culprit.

Have a good day!

 

[Stefan Blom]

Indeed, Word needs a locally installed printer driver. See
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ProblemsStartingWord.htm#Printer_Problems.

 

[aushknotes]

Thanks again, Stefan. I read that article as well.