Cannot print from 'file' tab to create .pdf's

starnow · May 2, 2009

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
Processor: Intel

I have always been able to create .pdf from File tab. I downloaded Adobe Reader 9 yesterday and today when I select 'print' from File tab, Word crashes with the message "The application Word quit unexpectedly...Mac OS X and other apps are not affected, blah, blah." If I select 'print preview' and then printer icon from preview window, the job is sent to the print queue. Word is up to date and I am totally frustrated. Have tried to find how/where to uninstall Reader with no luck - no uninstall program is included in the downloaded .zip file. Please help!

CyberTaz · May 2, 2009

I think the update of Reader is purely coincidental... I have it installed
here and in OS X 10.4.11 with Office 2004 as well as 2008 have not had any
such occurrences. Reader is exactly that: a program that opens/reads PDF
files. It has nothing to do with Office or OS X print services. There are at
least 2 other issues far more likely.

First, is Office 2004 fully updated? Update 11.5.4 was just released on 14
April, so if you haven't applied that yet it may be the problem. Run Help>
Check for Updates. Also, repair disk permissions even if you have previously
applied the 11.5.4 update.

Second, check the mfr's site for an updated printer driver - one of the
first things to consider whenever printing issues arise.

If these suggestions don't resolve it reply back for other ideas.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

starnow · May 3, 2009

I think the update of Reader is purely coincidental... I have it installed

here and in OS X 10.4.11 with Office 2004 as well as 2008 have not had any
such occurrences. Reader is exactly that: a program that opens/reads PDF
files. It has nothing to do with Office or OS X print services. There are at
least 2 other issues far more likely.

First, is Office 2004 fully updated? Update 11.5.4 was just released on 14
April, so if you haven't applied that yet it may be the problem. Run Help>
Check for Updates. Also, repair disk permissions even if you have previously
applied the 11.5.4 update.

Second, check the mfr's site for an updated printer driver - one of the
first things to consider whenever printing issues arise.

If these suggestions don't resolve it reply back for other ideas.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I have more to report. I updated Word 2004 to 11.5.4 twice and it still reports version 11.5.3.(?) I also downloaded and used APPDELETE to remove Acrobat Reader 9 from my MacBook and ran repair disk permissions. Word now seems to be working properly. The suggestion to check manufacturer's site for printer updates is also not relevant as the drop down printer window worked perfectly with Textedit and Firefox. Ultimately the question of compatibility between the two applications may never be resolved, however, in my experience with my beloved MacBook, Word 2004 is the only application that consistently freezes. I hope the above fix solves similar problems for other users. (If I have time between semesters I may try to reload Reader again as it would solve some issues with the university's Moodle site...will keep you posted.)

CyberTaz · May 3, 2009

I'm glad you got things working! Thanks for the feedback but there are a
couple of points interjected below:

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I have more to report. I updated Word
2004 to 11.5.4 twice and it still reports version 11.5.3.(?)

That's as it should be - Not all components of the suite are directly
affected by any given update, so those that aren't modified do not have
their version numbers modified. It can be a bit confusing, but if you simply
check the Applications/Microsoft Office 2004/Updater Logs folder you'll have
confirmation there of all applied updates.

I also downloaded
and used APPDELETE to remove Acrobat Reader 9 from my MacBook and ran repair
disk permissions. Word now seems to be working properly.

The suggestion to
check manufacturer's site for printer updates is also not relevant as the drop
down printer window worked perfectly with Textedit and Firefox.

Don't allow yourself to be deceived - just because one program prints OK is
not a valid indication that all should/will nor does it suggest that the
driver is current. OS X provides several levels of print services from which
each program calls what it needs. Word is a much more sophisticated &
complex user of those higher level services than is any text editor or
browser. As I stated in the original reply, driver update levels are
*always* one of the first suspects when print issues arise. Keep in mind
that the programs do not do the printing - they simply call for their
required level of service then hand the data off to the OS which in turn
speaks to the printer via its driver software. If the program you're
printing from crashes when you send the Print command it's generally because
the OS or the driver is dropping the ball.

Ultimately the
question of compatibility between the two applications may never be resolved,
however, in my experience with my beloved MacBook, Word 2004 is the only
application that consistently freezes. I hope the above fix solves similar
problems for other users. (If I have time between semesters I may try to
reload Reader again as it would solve some issues with the university's Moodle
site...will keep you posted.)

Good Luck |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

starnow · May 3, 2009