Excel 2003 opens in safe mode randomly

[Ula]

Hi all,

What can cause Excel 2003 to open in safe mode? My organization runs reports
using a custom Excel addin, it randomly opens in safe mode detaching the
addin and preventing the reports from being run. Errors that we see are:
- Unable to locate registry key: Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Excel\Add-in
Manager
- Attempting to create: Excel Application
- Error modMain::Start Application>> [429] ActiveX component can't create
object
- Error modMain::LoadService>> Unable to Load Excel
- Error ServiceLoadTimer: Unable to Start Service

Error in Event Viewer: EventID: 2001 source: Microsoft Office 11
Rejected Safe Mode action: Microsoft Office Excel

Error in Event Viewer: EventID: 10010 source: DCOM
The server {00024500-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} did not register with DCOM
within the required timeout.

I checked that key and it points to Excel. There weren't any patches or
global rollouts done from our side, the addin we use hasn't been updated.
Issue is present at different locations randomly and it's hard to catch
anything going on at that time that could cause Excel to fail.

Any ideas where should I look? Can it be something external like antivirus
software corrupting Excel or should I focus on Excel itself? Any help will be
high appreciated.

 

[Jan Karel Pieterse]

Hi Ula,

What can cause Excel 2003 to open in safe mode?

The user holding down the control key when Excel starts.
Maybe the /s startup switch in the commandline of a shortcut?

Regards,

Jan Karel Pieterse
Excel MVP
http://www.jkp-ads.com