[frankthetank966]

I have been trying to open files while running MS Word by select File>Open or Apple Key+O. When I do this it causes the program to freeze and messes up the computer. Any ideas of how I can fix this issue?

[ghporter]

Sounds like there's some dialog box open that keeps the file from being opened. Word is chock-full of modal dialogs that may not be in the foreground but WILL keep the action you wanted to perform from working until you dismiss the dialog. Which version of Word are you running?

[frankthetank966]

MS Word 2004 Version 11.6

[ghporter]

I'd search around for some open dialog, or, conversely, restart the computer. SOMETHING that Word is doing is keeping it from properly opening the file when properly invoked. For example, if you have the Office Updater set up, it could be getting ready to install an update and thus blocking many functions-without, of course, letting you know something is happening by forcing the notification window into the foreground.

[frankthetank966]

It happened before but I dont remember how to fix it. HAHAHA But would a delete-reinstall fix the issue?

[-Q-]

Can you Command-Tab to other applications?

Could it be that you were plugged into an external monitor and that the dialogue you can't see is appearing "off screen?" Delete the prefs might help with that.

It seems a bit extreme to do a delete-reinstall but that probably would work.

[frankthetank966]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Sounds like there's some dialog box open that keeps the file from being opened. Word is chock-full of modal dialogs that may not be in the foreground but WILL keep the action you wanted to perform from working until you dismiss the dialog. Which version of Word are you running?

Originally Posted by -Q- 

Can you Command-Tab to other applications?

Could it be that you were plugged into an external monitor and that the dialogue you can't see is appearing "off screen?" Delete the prefs might help with that.

It seems a bit extreme to do a delete-reinstall but that probably would work.

How do i delete the preferences?

[-Q-]

Navigate to Macintosh Hard Drive>Users>User Name>Library>Preferences> and delete com.microsoft.Word.plist.

Be sure to have your serial number for Office handy in case you need to re-enter that information.

[Spheric Harlot]

In Office 2004, the serial number is stored in an invisible file within the Office application folders.

That's why dragging-and-dropping the Office folder from one machine to another works to transfer the install license.

[Cold Warrior]

You could try reinstalling the latest update or service pack for it.

[frankthetank966]

Originally Posted by -Q- 

Navigate to Macintosh Hard Drive>Users>User Name>Library>Preferences> and delete com.microsoft.Word.plist.

Be sure to have your serial number for Office handy in case you need to re-enter that information.

That worked! How does it get messed up?

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by Cold Warrior 

You could try reinstalling the latest update or service pack for it.

Oh god, no - that won't work, and requires completely re-installing Office, but searching out and destroying the Auto-Updater records beforehand (at least, that was what happened when a botched update rendered Office 2008 unusable on a client's machine a while back).

Good grief, Office is such a cluster**** - SO glad to blow it off my computer for good.

[Cold Warrior]

In the past on rare occasion, when I've dragged a working Office 2008 folder from one system's Applications folder to another system's, Office apps wouldn't launch, but a reinstall of the latest service pack would get it launching again. YMMV.

[Spheric Harlot]

Ah, in that case, the receipts or whatever aren't there.

Office 2004 is a different animal, though.