Word--can't open program

I don't get it! I can't get Word to open. It was working fine until a short while ago. I have tried to repair, reinstall--same thing. I get a hanging "hourglass" when it tries to open the program and end up having to "control/alt/delete ". I am afraid if I remove it and reinstall it I will lose all my Word files. Any suggestions? I'll appreciate your help!!!!! One other note--I had a shortcut to Word and right clicked properties and there was no target type, target location, etc., listed and I couldn't add one. Help!!!

 

Did you try to open Word by going to Start > Programs > Microsoft Word ?

When was the las time you did a scandisk or defrag?

Having trouble with any other programs?

Maybe run a complete virus scan?

You won't lose your Word files by uninstalling and reinstalling.

 

Do a search for "normal.dot." When you find it, either rename it to normal.old or delete it. I delete it. When Word restarts, it'll build a new one and things should work.

 

Thanks for the quick reply! I did try to open through Programs.
I did a scandisk or defrag about two days ago.
No problems with any other programs.
I will run a complete virus scan.
You're positive I won't lose my files? My whole world is in those files (well maybe not my whole world, but a lot!).
Thanks again!

 

I'm quite sure you won't lose your files.

Before you go to the trouble of uninstalling and reinstalling try the suggestion offered by Miz, I hadn't even thought of that one even though I've used that solution in the past.

Good call Miz

 

You people are the greatest! I did a search for "normal" and renamed is "old "--voila! I can now open Word! Thank you so very much--really appreciate it!

 

You're welcome. Thanks for posting back and letting us know you got it fixed.

 

I have another question--is it worth it to buy something like Roxio Go Back to restore a computer to a previously healthy state? With the problem I had not being able to open Word (even though, thanks to you, it is now solved) could I not have used Go Back and been all set? I'll appreciate any thoughts you may have on this product or any other recommendations.

 

pkl

As you know, opiniions are like ________, everyone has one.

Mine is Norton Ghost is the only way to go.

 

GoBack used to be factory installed on Gateway desktops. Gateway decided to quit doing that because they were getting more problems from GoBack than GoBack was solving. In an article on their website, they also said they felt that GoBack was damaging harddrives, although they didn't go into any detail.

I agree with BMoore1129...Norton Ghost is the best way to go.

 

Hi Folks

Recently purchased a new XP Pro system with Norton System Works 2002 installed. Part of the intergrated package included Ghost and GoBack. I've used Norton Utilites for years on my w95 box, but never had any exposure to either programs. Ask some of the local computer whiz's and all suggested GoBack. Learning XP (coming from w95), setting up a router,(never done before), networking the XP and the w95 (never did that before either)... I used GoBack more times than I can count... every time saved my butt, and the sanity of my better half. It sounds like both programs could be life savers.

Dennis

 

If I didn't have GoBack (v2.1d) this computer would have found its way to the bottom of a lake a long time ago. Bought SystemWorks about 8 months ago and hated the new version of GoBack so I reinstalled the original from my Gateway disk. Just a matter of preference, I guess but I know that I wouldn't be w/o it.


Mike

 

Sounds as if you have a registry
problem. You can uninstall and will not lose your document files. In fact
when you reinstall if you still have
a problem. uninstall again. Make sure
you Windows temp and main temp files
are empty. Delete the program directory
for word as well so you get a fresh start
There may be a dat file there that is
currupt or *******. Failing all that
you might do all the above and also
a regedit at the run and then delete
all references to word. But you really do have to uninstall first. You can move all
your doc files to another directory or
reycle bin and restore later if you feel they
could be deleted based on something
strange you may have done.
Good luck!

 

Thanks so much for the help! I uninstalled and reinstalled and it works fine--at least for now! Plus, all my files are still there!

 

Glad you got it fixed without any serious loss.

FWIW, I am using go-back on XP-Pro and it is excellent on that platform. At least a dozen times it has rescued me from disasters caused by my tinkering.

I have no idea about using it with other OS versions but for XP-pro, I have to highly recommend it. Lots easier to deal with than Ghost or Drive Image or any of the others of that type of rescue program.

That being said, if my hard drive ever goes up in smoke, the go-back files will too so there is certainly a place for the drive-image type backups.

 

I've used GoBack since Win95 thru 98 and now on XP. I wouldn't want to operate without it.
In addition to GoBack, you will need a complete drive imaging program for a secure non-volatile backup. I use Drive Image 2002 for that. It is the most user friendly of all and it allows you to restore individual files or folders without restoring the entire drive. It is rather slow when burning to disks but if you have a second hard drive for your backup media, it goes lickety split. It runs my 4 Gig backup in 7 minutes.


http://www.powerquest.com/driveimage/

http://www.roxio.com/en/products/goback/index.jhtml (rebate!)

 

search results

I have the very same problem as PKI and I tried all the advice given here and Word still will not open . What else can I do?

 

I have the exact same problem with Word. I searched and found this post and did everything that was advised and Word still will not open. Is there anything else I can try?

 

I searched this forum and found this post. I have the exact same problem with Word. I have tried everything that was suggested in this post and Word still will not open. What else can I do?