Performing Cut command shuts down Word

L

Larry

I repeated get "illegal operation" and the shutting down of Word after
performing Edit/Cut using Ctrl+X. any ideas why this would happen and
what to do about it? Word 97, Windows 98.

Thanks,
Larry
 
B

Beth Melton

Does the error occur if you start Word using the /a switch? Go to
Start/Run and run:

winword /a

Note the space before the forward slash.

If not then I'd say the error lies in a macro you created.

--
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/
 
L

Larry

First, this only happens sometimes. This morning it was happening
repeatedly with a particular document. It does not happen in a pristine
version of Word.

I also thought at first that a macro had something to do with it. In
fact, I have a special macro that replaces the built-in EditCut command
which sometimes creates similar problems, and I thought that might have
something to do with it. But on this occasion it was the built-in
EditCut command itself. No macro that causing the error.

Larry
 
B

Beth Melton

If it doesn't occur in a pristine version of Word then I'm not sure.
:-(

Have you ruled out temp files? Word may create a temp file when you
cut or copy.

--
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/
 
L

Larry

Beth, what do you mean? Why would Word create a temp file when I cut
text? (You mean, everytime the document changes, a new temp file is
created?) And if it does create a temp file, is it wrong, how would I
find that out, and what should I do about it?

Larry
 
B

Beth Melton

Occasionally Word will create a temp file when you cut/copy and paste
text between documents. This is a normal process for Word and what you
can do is make sure all of your temp files have been deleted. If Word
runs into a 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/
 
L

Larry

Hmm, no, this problem is not related to cutting and pasting between
documents. Thanks, Beth. But it seems to remain a mystery. :)

Larry
 

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