Mac Forum / Applications / Word / April 2007

Hi Caroline:

OK, we do not have quite enough information to diagnose this problem (for
example, you have not told us which version of Word you have...)

However, I am going to take a guess that you have a damaged Normal template.
This may have been caused by a virus contained in the document you
downloaded, but I suspect not: I would expect to see specific error messages
if that were the case.

First, go here:
http://word.mvps.org/mac/MacWordNormal.html

Follow the instructions for re-naming your Normal template.  If that cures
the problem, that's what it was, and it's very quick.  Note: you have to
follow the instructions exactly or there is no guarantee of success.

If it doesn't cure the problem, go here:
http://word.mvps.org/Mac/TroubleshootingIndex.html

Work your way slowly and carefully through the steps, in the order
specified.  Including replacing the Normal template again.

Hope that helps (If not, come back and we'll get really serious ...)  :-)

Hi Caroline -

Your situation really doesn't sound much different than many, but to be
prudent we need more specific info:

What version of Word? Complete details please.
What version of OS X - 10.4.What?

Word, itself, doesn't Save or Open files. It asks the OS to do that, so
there may be a "communications breakdown" or the OS or your HD are quite
likely the culprits. It could be a combination of all the above, and it's
possible that the doc you refer to could be a contributor... Tell us more
about it as well. I'm also have no idea whether you're files are stored on
your primary HD, an external drive, a network drive, etc.

Generally, the first steps would be to make sure your version of Word/Office
is fully updated and do the same for OS X using the appropriate *Combo
Update* from the Apple site (I can't say which of either to use as I don't
know where you are _now_ in regard to versions. See info below.). Repair
Disk Permissions using Disk Utility.

Office X - 10.1.9
Office 2004 - 11.3.4
OS X - 10.4.9

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

On 4/28/07 7:28 AM, in article
1177759692.508158.35770@c35g2000hsg.googlegroups.com, "caro.line"

Thanks all for the advice.  I will try all options.

Meanwhile, here's the missing info.

imac G5
10.4.9 PowerMac8,2
Office:mac 2004

The doc I downloaded was an 8 page form.

I have the latest update on Word, but not latest Apple security update
which I will do now.

Will report back after I've tried everything.

Thanks again.

Dear All

I worked through all the options on the troubleshooting index and the
problem seems to have been 'damaged preferences and settings' as
dragging the word/prefs/plist to the desktop has done the trick!
However,
I am not sure what the following means:

'If all is well, trash the old file(s). In the case of the Word
Preferences/Settings file, you will have to reset some preferences and
AutoCorrect settings'

Do I just trash the desktop file to the trash - and that's it?  Also,
resetting preferences and AutoCorrect settings - is this important -
or does it just mean restoring personal preferences?

Many thanks for your help.  Would be interesting to know what caused
this!

Best
Caroline