Normal.dot problems

[Guest]

I am experiencing problems when trying to close MS Word 2003 that seem
connected to the file Normal.dot. Here is the sequence of events;

1) I start MS Word 2003.

2) When I then immediately try to close Word by clicking the X at upper
right of the active window (without making a single keystroke). A message
window appears that reads
"The file Normal.dot already exists. Do you want to replace the existing
file?"
If I choose YES, I get a message saying the file is read only, so I choose NO.

3) I am then presented with a SAVE AS window for Normal.dot, I select the
cancel option on this window.

4) I then try to close Word again (as in step 1 above) by clicking the X at
upper right of the active window. A different message window appears that
reads
"Changes have been made that affect the global template, Normal.dot. Do you
want to save these changes?"
I select NO and FINALLY Word closes.

What is going on? I am getting tired of going through this convoluted ritual
every time I want to close Word.

 

[Graham Mayor]

See http://www.gmayor.com/what_to_do_when_word_crashes.htm

You probably have an orphan lock file which prevents saves to normal.dot.

If that doesn't fix it, with Word closed, rename normal.dot to normal.old
and restart Word, which will build a new normal.dot. Copy any
personalisations from the old file to the new using the organizer, then on
closing Word accept the prompt to save. This time it should save if you have
write access to the folder containing normal.dot.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

A request to save Normal.dot every time you close probably indicates
interference by a poorly written add-in. The most common culprit is the
Office Plug-in in Norton AntiVirus, which can be disabled without
compromising your virus protection.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

 

[Poprivet]

I am experiencing problems when trying to close MS Word 2003 that seem
connected to the file Normal.dot. Here is the sequence of events;

1) I start MS Word 2003.

2) When I then immediately try to close Word by clicking the X at
upper
right of the active window (without making a single keystroke). A
message window appears that reads
"The file Normal.dot already exists. Do you want to replace the
existing file?"
If I choose YES, I get a message saying the file is read only, so I
choose NO.

3) I am then presented with a SAVE AS window for Normal.dot, I select
the cancel option on this window.

4) I then try to close Word again (as in step 1 above) by clicking
the X at upper right of the active window. A different message window
appears that reads
"Changes have been made that affect the global template, Normal.dot.
Do you want to save these changes?"
I select NO and FINALLY Word closes.

What is going on? I am getting tired of going through this convoluted
ritual every time I want to close Word.

It sounds like you're typing into normal.dot instead of a new blank
document. Graham's advice should work well for you. In the future, to
start a new document, use the File; New menu, or click the New icon in the
menu bar, far left.

Norton can cause problems for some people, but AFAIK this isn't one of them.

HTH
Pop`