Word 97 & Windows XP Home Compatability

[TheEmbalmer]

I would like to know if there is some type of compatability issue with Windows XP Home and Word 97. I still use Word 97 because I don't have the need for upgrading as all I do is basic word processing.

Every time I use Word 97 under Windows XP Home, I'm able to create and save a new document with no problem, but when I try to re-open the document to continue working, I always get the following error message:

"zzz.doc is being used by User Z. Do you want to make a copy?"

Then user has option to click Yes or Cancel.

I'm not sure if this has any relevence to the above error, but I always open my Word documents by clicking on the specific Word document icon.

Is there any way to stop the error message from coming up?

Thanks,
TheEmbalmer

[netsurf]

if you only do basic word processing then why don't you use word pad. you can do editing and formatting with word-pad though. with word97, chances are you run into compatibility problem (though some have been able to use it successfully on winxp), and i don't think microsoft is supporting it. but i suggest you use wordpad if all you do is basic word processing. it is not bad of a word app at all. that's all i can suggest, i am sorry i don't know how to correct the problem you are having, but did you try at microsoft website or search on the internet for any info relating to your problem? i searched for you but didn't find. you just need the patience to do the search.

[high6ix]

I suggets not even using wordpad or word. Go to www.openoffice.org its a GREAT word processing program with all the copablities of word plus it can open many different files other then word documents. Its A+ material. Heres the link to download the program... http://sf1.mirror.openoffice.org/sta...el_install.zip

tell me what you think if you download it and use it

[Tobin]

I have WinXP pro and run all my office 97 applications without a hitch.

I get the type of error you are describing only at work on a network file, when someone else is working on it.....

Are you on a network? Are your files shared?

If so, then copy the file to your local hard drive and you should be ok.

Check the file permissions on the folder you have your documents in as Administrator. It really sounds like a shared folder.

[dekafilm]

Found a few other message boards with this same issue posted, but found no solutions there, so felt obligated to post my solution here:

setting: Word 97 installed on Windows XP
problem: double-click on Word document causes Word 97 to open file twice
reason: two mechanisms are opening the file in Word 97 simultaneously:

1) the DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) mechanism
2) the "%1" file name variable mechanism (goes back to DOS days!)

Both mechanisms can be found and modified by opening any folder in Windows, then choosing Tools>Folder Options>File Types (tab), then highlighting DOC in the list and clicking on the "Advanced" button. A box pops up with the following:

New
Open
Print
printto

Select Open with a single click, then click on "Edit..." You should see the following if your settings are INcorrect:

Application used to perform action:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE" "%1"

Use DDE (checked)

DDE Message:
[REM _DDE_Direct][FileOpen("%1")]

"%1" is a variable that contains the file name (and path) of the file you double-clicked. Word 97 is responding to both the "%1" in the first line and the %1 in the DDE section, causing the file to open twice.

The solution is to disable the DDE section, BUT: simply removing the "Use DDE" checkmark DOES NOT WORK: Windows automatically restores it (try it: uncheck it, click OK twice, then go back and see for yourself -- the DDE section has been re-enabled! -- WinXP is "thinking for you").

The solution that DOES work is to leave the following under the DDE Message section:

DDE Message:
[REM _DDE_Direct]

In other words, you're removing the [FileOpen(%1)] command. What remains is merely a comment ("REM" in programming circles means "comment," something that's only there to remind humans what the code is or does). By leaving this comment, the DDE mechanism is effectively disabled. The "%1" in the other section now opens one copy of the document, just as it should be. (Note that you have to click OK in the open windows before the change takes effect).

Important PS: if you get error messages for some files and not others, be sure your "%1" appears in quotes (as it does here). The quotes allow for spaces in file and folder names.

(Another PS: discovered that Excel has the same issue in WinXP. Same fix: replace "Open(%1)" in the DDE Message field with [REM _DDE_Direct].)

[Green Giant]

Hi Dekafilm

I tried your tip today in XP but every time I removed the [FileOpen(%1)] part and clicked on OK to save the changes, I received an error message that said something similar to "program specified cannot be found" and the change could not be saved.

Anyone have any ideas for a fix? Or ideas on why it would not work on my machine?

Thanks in advance

[Green Giant]

Embalmer

I just found this fix on another forum, during a Google search. it worked perfectly for me.

click on Start, Run and type the path of winword.exe which is usually
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE" /unregserver

Then do that again with
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE" /regserver

and this will stop the problem. do the same thing, but for the "EXCEL.EXE" executable, and it will fix the problem in Excel, too.

[tomo222]

Stuff Office 97 Download OpenOffice OR Office 2007 Beta There both Far Better and Free

[Green Giant]

Originally Posted by oldtimer

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE"
Glad you fixed it,the above is my property info,no /unregserver
Do a Registry fix if you have one.

hi Oldtime

sorry, I should have been a little clearer in the way that I wrote the pathway... the /unregserver part will not be in your properties - so I should not have said "the pathway to the EXE, which is usually" and included that parameter in she same sentence... slapping own wrists in punishment

So... the fix does work if you just type in the following in the "RUN" box:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE" /unregserver

Then type in:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE" /regserver

Do the same thing for the Excel EXE file and it will fix the problem in Excel, too.

[ejmmmm]

I have been plagued with that error for 16 months and finally your solution worked GREAT!, Thank you!,

emery

[ejmmmm]

I used Green Giants' solution to the problem of error coming up with office 97 used in XP with :
just type in the following in the "RUN" box:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE" /unregserver

Then type in:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE" /regserver

Do the same thing for the Excel EXE file and it will fix the problem in Excel, too

BOTH WORKED MAVVALEOUSLY!, THANKS SO MUCH!

[fritzi93]

Nice one. It appears to have fixed the problem here.

I hardly ever use Office 97, but my wife (a teacher) does. Not a major annoyance, but she'll appreciate it.

[Paulette]

I just bought a new computor with windows xp. When I installed windows office pro 97 it doesn't function correctly. When I open word it stops and gives me an error message of it needs to close, then ask to send error message to MS, and want let me save nothing. The message states that errror is with WINDWORD.EXE. Sometimes when I do try to save in word 97 it will not let me enter a file name , it only offers one letter, like M, or J and I can't change it. Also Excel isn't working correctly either. What do I need to do to fix this. It worked fine before. I have uninstalled and installed several times and it did not help. Can someone please HELP! it is making me crazy. Thanks Paulette