"Abnormal Program Termination"

M

Marci

I have a HP with Windows XP and Microsoft (R) Works Suite
2004/Word 2002 that was installed at the factory. I've
only had this computer about three months. I was two
paragraphs into a letter in Word and had an error message:

Microsoft Visual C++
Runtime Library
Runtime Error

Program: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\ Office 10\
Winword.EXE

Abnormal program termination

All I could do was click "OK" and the entire program shut
down. There was no way I could try to save what I had
typed. I haven't a clue what to do about this. It has
happened twice. Does anybody understand this problem?

I will appreciate any help.

Marci
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

For the immediate problem, if you had AutoRecovery enabled (Tools | Options
| Save) and had been working long enough for Word to save an AutoRecovery
backup, you should be/have been presented with a recovered document the next
time you start(ed) Word.

As for solving the problem, for a start, if you're running Word freestanding
(not starting it from the Works Task Launcher), you'll be better off
uninstalling the Microsoft Works Suite Add-in for Word (through Control
Panel | Add/Remove Programs). The add-in causes many problems in Word and is
not needed unless you plan to use Works as a data source for a mail merge.

Beyond that, if you continue to experience similar problems, here is some
information on runtime errors from Office MVP Beth Melton that may be
helpful:

A "runtime" error means that there is an error in a macro or add-in that is
attempting to run. Typically these macros are created by a third-party and
are not part of the Word installation. (They could also be caused by a
malfunctioning macro virus as well)

Many third-party applications will create an add-in and place it in the
Office\Startup folder or use a COM add-in (DLL) to integrate their software
with Word. Another common add-in, the "Microsoft Works Suite Add-in for
Word" can only be found in your Add/Remove programs list.

Aside from the Works Suite Add-in, to determine if you have any add-ins you
can check for them using the following:

Go to Tools/Templates and Add-Ins and see if there are any global templates
or add-ins listed. If you find any then chances are they are located in
your Office\Startup folder or Word\Startup folder.

The location of the Word\Startup folder can be found under
Tools/Options/File Locations and the Office\Startup folder will be located
in the installation path for Office.

If you find more than one add-in move them one at a time until you
determine which one is causing the problem.

As of Word 2000, Word can have COM add-ins, those that are added in via the
Registry rather than the Startup folders. To check for COM add-ins add the
"COM Add-In" command to your toolbar.

- Right-click any toolbar and select Customize
- On the Commands tab, select the Tools category
- Locate COM Add-Ins on the right
- Drag/Drop to a location of your choice

For more information on COM Add-Ins, see this article:
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/Customization/CheckIfAddinsInstalled.htm
 
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