I can't open any documents in Word 2003

[ptukey]

Hey

I need some help. I have installed office 2003 on my current machine. I can use Word just fine, but I had some previous presaved documents in word 97 (I think). But now it won't open them. And when I go to close it asks do I want to replace the file named Normal.dot. I went to Microsofts website and followed some instructions

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;821715&Product=wrd2003

But it still won't load the presaved documents or the file, support.dot, specified by those instructions. I have also tried just opening word and trying to load the file that way and the error that I get is "the file SUPPORT is not available". even though I can see it when I open the open file screen.
I am running wondows 2000 pro. Could you offer some suggestions. Thanks

 

[dcompto]

Did you try creating a new Normal.dot? If not, do the following:

First, find your Normal.dot document
In Office 2000, the default location is C:\Documents and Settings\[User]\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates

With Word closed,
Make a copy of Normal.dot
Delete the original Normal.dot
Open Word
Try to open one of the Word 97 documents

I hope it works for you!

P.S. If you want to return to the original Normal.dot, just rename Copy of Normal.dot to Normal.dot

 

[ptukey]

as a matter of fact I have tried that. And no it doesn't work. I am stumped. Thanks for the suggestion though

 

[fumei]

Hey dcompto, this seems very familiar. File not available, hmmmm. What's going on?

Gerry

 

[dcompto]

fumei,
Beats me at this point, but then, I'm currently too tired to think.

ptukey,
If you don't mind posting the exact message you get when you try to/open a Word 97 document from File > Open within Word 2003, maybe we'll get further in finding a solution. Thanks!

 

[ptukey]

the exact error message is "the file DELL Requisition is not available" then I have an OK button. After I hit OK nothing happens it just takes me back to a blank word page.

 

[fumei]

Oh, and you get this for EVERY file you try to opem? If so, then there is a global file trying to load.

Check in Tools > Templates and Addins for a global template. Or in Tools > COM Addins.

Gerry

 

[dcompto]

The only other thing I have found is the following KB article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;835404&Product=wrd20

 

[ptukey]

when I go to tools templates and add-ins, the only thing there under the Templates tab and under Document Template
the is the Normal.dot file. but thats only when I open just work. If I try to open the document, and follow the same instructions there is nothing in the Document Template box. It is grayed out. Unforunitly I do not have any virus software, because I am behind a firewall, and the router that we use has a built in antivirus software.
But the strange thing is that the other machines that are here in office that have Office 2003 installed are able to load those documents.

 

[dcompto]

OK, after further searching, it looks like the answer is given in the last two posts of the following link. Hope this is THE ANSWER!...

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Applications/MS_Office/Word/Q_20893134.html

BTW, here is some information on "Templates and Add-Ins"...

http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/WhatTemplatesStore.htm

 

[ptukey]

That did it. Thank you so much. I think there might be some sort of printer issue but I think I should be able to fix that. Thanks again.