can't open normal.dot message appears in WORD 2002 startup

berklee100 · #1 05-14-2003, 09:48 AM

hi,

i keep getting a'' word cannot open existing (normal.dot )'' file message on Word 2002 start up .after clicking ok and trying to close i receive a message ''changes have been made to normal .dot do you want to save? after clicking yes error message appears stating cannot save because of file permission error. when trying to close, save in dialog box opens with the normal.dot file. tried reinstalling office xp did not work .system restore did not work .downloaded word 2002 support template and used program for renaming global template did not work. when trying to download office update error message ''installer patch error or some such its driving me crazy. do i have a macro virus? any help would be appreciated.

regards

berklee100

njovin · #2 05-14-2003, 01:07 PM

Search for and delete the normal.dot file. Word should re-create a good copy automatically.

berklee100 · #3 05-14-2003, 02:11 PM

tried it kiddo. it didnt work. this ones a real pain.

thanx for the reply though

berklee100

MaxPower · #4 05-15-2003, 08:16 AM

Sounds very much like a macro virus.... not seen one of those for over 5 years.

I could be wrong but these things live in the normal.dot file and thus you get the sharing violation and save changes dialogue....

Office if pretty much protected nowadays. Did you 'OK' a macro in a document... Are you a student working on documents at college and home????

I also believe that the normal.dot file is attached to the document so any infected document will re-infect your office installation.

Quote:

Search for and delete the normal.dot file. Word should re-create a good copy automatically.

Is good advice and if this has failed then try uninstalling - make sure normal.dot is deleted - then reinstall and open Word. If this works then problem solved but your docs are wasted!!!

berklee100 · #5 05-15-2003, 11:16 AM

this reply is the most salient and cogent i have received so far. unfortunately after doing some research i have found that i have no macro's! so it is safe to assume it is not a macro virus. my fault. there must be a workaround to this problem. i have followed every step i thought would clear up this problem. they are as follows.

a: tried to rename normal.dot. no go.
b:downloaded word 2002 support template utility for renaming normal . dot .replied w/ path not found (could be in wrong location).working on it. (help on this would be appreciated, this might work).
c: uninstalled office xp then reinstalled. didn't work.
d: am having problems now with installing sp2 for office. aborts in the middle saying install was unsuccesful. mind you, sp2 is on my machine just wont install. i have additional updates that are neede for office that i can't get to until sp2 is installed. never had this problem before.

with you guys help i am sure i will get this problem fixed. keep your ideas coming!

MaxPower · #6 05-15-2003, 11:23 AM

Try booting into safe mode or dos then rename normal.dot

Quote:

unfortunately after doing some research i have found that i have no macro's! so it is safe to assume it is not a macro virus

Not quite sure what you mean here. A macro virus is a virus written in VBA not a virus that attacks macros...... I think it is still a possibility.

Best of luck

berklee100 · #7 05-15-2003, 12:06 PM

i will give it a try. i think i have a corrupted template

thanx

berklee100