2 computer annoyances...help?

floridasun5 · Dec 31, 2006

I have been dealing with these 2 computer annoyances for quite some time and I figure there may be a way to fix them, I just dont know what it is. If anyone can help me out, I'd greatly appreciate it!

1. Whenever I use the Open Office Document link from my Start menu, the appropriate software will open (usually Word or Excel) however the actual file doesnt open. I just get a blank screen and then I have to use the File>Open menu from within the program to go and browse for my file again.

2. Whenever I close my Outlook, I get an error that says something along the lines of "The template normal.dot has changed, would you like to save it now". If I click yes or no, I get a blank Word document that opens and I have to close that, click no I dont want to save it, etc.

I am using Office and Outlook 2002 and I was recently told by a tech support person that I could upgrade for free on microsoft.com but I have yet to find that as I thought you had to pay for Office/ Outlook upgrades.

If anyone has any advice on how to fix these 2 annoyances, please let me know. If you also have any more info or a link on upgrading Outlook or even Office, I'd love to know as well. Thanks!

Matacumbie · Dec 31, 2006

Do you have Norton's anti-virus installed?

If so, try turning off the Norton AntiVirus plug-in for Microsoft Office and see what happens.

Steve

floridasun5 · Jan 1, 2007

No, I dont have Norton or McAfee installed....I just use AVG.I installed the security patch for Outlook a few days ago, but it is still happening and I'm not even sure what the problem with the Open Office Document is. I wish I could upgrade, but it looks like Office comes witha $499 pricetag which I just cant afford.

DavidGP · Jan 1, 2007

Hi

You could try the repair function in Office 2002, to do this in any of the Office applications click Help > Detect and Repair ( you may need the Office CD to be in the drive, but it will ask ) this can/may clear up the errors.

The normal.dot issue can also be caused by other software mainly including FAX software, and older versions of Adobe Acrobat as they continually change the template, when you add or change simple things like Icons, Toolbars etc, so if you are using Fax software then see if they have any updates for your version.

or it can be as simple as unticking the Save Template Prompt in MS Word as Outlook uses Words template, open Word and click Tools > Options > click the Save tab > and untick the Prompt to save Normal template > OK

But by free upgrade, you will not be able to go from say Office 2002 to Office 2003 or 2007 as they are not free upgrade paths, however you can "update" your Office 2002 to the latest service pack, which is at Office 2002 SP3 it will include updates and fixes to many errors.

How to find out what Version and Service Pack you have:

In any Office Application click Help and then About Microsoft Office XXXXX ( XXXXX = the name of the specific application you opened like Outlook, Word etc )

This is mine which is Office 2003 and SP2 but this is the location where you will find the version info

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/4402/untitledgr0.jpg

So if your Office 2002 is not at Version SP3 it maybe well worth updating, you can do this Via Microsoft Update or by downloading the full Office 2002 SP3 update HERE

after installing ist worth going back to Microsoft Update to get any smaller updates that were released after SP3.

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2 computer annoyances...help?

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