How do I make the "Tools" option in Word 2000 work again?

T

TikvahCo

In Word 2000 every option (File, Edit, View, etc) works fine, but suddenly
the Tools option does not work at all. I get a message asking whether to
send a report to Microsoft, and then the program shuts down. It seems like
some kind of link has been lost. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
T

TF

It is the symptom of a virus. Have you scanned your computer with an up to
date Anti Virus Utility?



: In Word 2000 every option (File, Edit, View, etc) works fine, but suddenly
: the Tools option does not work at all. I get a message asking whether to
: send a report to Microsoft, and then the program shuts down. It seems
like
: some kind of link has been lost. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
T

Tikvah

I thought that might be it and did a scan. Nothing came up..... except for
frustration!
 
T

TF

Start Word in Safe Mode and test. From Start, Run dialog type in

winword /a

and press enter. Winword is now in its default install mode bypassing all
customisations and add-ins. Does Tools, Options open up now?

Terry


:I thought that might be it and did a scan. Nothing came up..... except
for
: frustration!
:
: "TF" wrote:
:
: > It is the symptom of a virus. Have you scanned your computer with an up
to
: > date Anti Virus Utility?
: >
: > --
: > Terry Farrell - Word MVP
:
: >
: > : > : In Word 2000 every option (File, Edit, View, etc) works fine, but
suddenly
: > : the Tools option does not work at all. I get a message asking whether
to
: > : send a report to Microsoft, and then the program shuts down. It seems
: > like
: > : some kind of link has been lost. Any suggestions would be
appreciated.
: >
: >
: >
 
T

TikvahCo

Hi. "Tools" does work when I do as you suggested. What does that mean?
And, any suggestions as to how to fix it? Thx.
 
A

Andra

if you feel comfortable with Registry, delete
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Word\Options

TikvahCo wrote
 
T

Tikvah

Tools will work if I delete this from the registry? What is this, and why is
it preventing the Tools option from working? Thx.
 
B

Beth Melton

I don't quite follow how that will cure this problem. I suspect the
error is caused by an add-in attempting to modify the Tools menu. This
key has nothing to do with the Tools menu.

Although....I guess recreating the Options key could potentially
resolve the issue if all of the following were true:

- The add-in is located in the Word Startup folder
- The Word Startup locating under Tools/Options/File Locations has
been modified from the default.

In this event recreating the Options key would set the Word Startup
folder back to the default location and therefore prevent the add-in
causing the error from loading.

In any case, I don't that recreating the Options key is necessary.

--
Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/
 
B

Beth Melton

The problem could also be caused by an add-in attempting to modify the
Tools menu.

Starting Word using the /a switch is a troubleshooting tool which
by-passes all add-ins, your Normal.dot, and the Registry. IOW, it
starts Word using the factory defaults. So if the error doesn't occur
when you start Word using the /a switch then that suggests the problem
doesn't lie in the Word installation.

- Start Word using the /a switch, go to Tools/Templates and Add-ins
and see if there are any add-ins listed. If so they can be found in
either your Word Startup folder of Office\Startup folder.

The location of the Word Startup folder can be found by going to
Tools/Options/File Locations and the Office\Startup folder can be
found in the Office installation path. You can also use Windows Search
to locate the files.

Move any files you find in either folder one at a time and try
duplicating the error to determine which template is causing the
error.

To determine if you are using any global templates go to
Tools/Templates and Add-Ins and see if there are any global templates
or add-ins listed. If so they are located in one of your Startup
folders. The location of the Word\Startup folder can be found under
Tools/Options/File Locations and the Office\Startup folder can be
found in the Office installation path..

Take a look in each folder and if you find more than one file move
them one at a time and try duplicating the error after each file is
moved out of the folder until you determine which one is causing the
problem.

If the error persists then as of Word 2000, Word can have COM add-ins.
COM are added via the Registry rather than the Startup folders. To
determine whether or not you are using COM Add-In you can 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

--
Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/
 
T

TF

Beth

I agree. It's much more likely to be an add-in than a registry corruption.

Terry

:I don't quite follow how that will cure this problem. I suspect the
: error is caused by an add-in attempting to modify the Tools menu. This
: key has nothing to do with the Tools menu.
:
: Although....I guess recreating the Options key could potentially
: resolve the issue if all of the following were true:
:
: - The add-in is located in the Word Startup folder
: - The Word Startup locating under Tools/Options/File Locations has
: been modified from the default.
:
: In this event recreating the Options key would set the Word Startup
: folder back to the default location and therefore prevent the add-in
: causing the error from loading.
:
: In any case, I don't that recreating the Options key is necessary.
:
: --
: Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
: assistance by email can not be acknowledged.
:
: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
: Beth Melton
: Microsoft Office MVP
:
: Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
: TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
: MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/
:
:
: "Andra" <andraatlatnetdotlv> wrote in message
: : > if you feel comfortable with Registry, delete
: > HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Word\Options
: >
: > TikvahCo wrote
: >> Hi. "Tools" does work when I do as you suggested. What does that
: >> mean?
: >> And, any suggestions as to how to fix it? Thx.
: >>
: >> "TF" wrote:
: >>
: >> > Start Word in Safe Mode and test. From Start, Run dialog type in
: >> >
: >> > winword /a
: >> >
: >> > and press enter. Winword is now in its default install mode
: >> > bypassing
: > all
: >> > customisations and add-ins. Does Tools, Options open up now?
: >> >
: >> > Terry
: >> >
: >> >
: >> > : >> > :I thought that might be it and did a scan. Nothing came up.....
: > except
: >> > for
: >> > : frustration!
: >> > :
: >> > : "TF" wrote:
: >> > :
: >> > : > It is the symptom of a virus. Have you scanned your computer
: >> > with an
: > up
: >> > to
: >> > : > date Anti Virus Utility?
: >> > : >
: >> > : > --
: >> > : > Terry Farrell - Word MVP
: >> > :
: >> > : >
: >> > message
: >> > : > : >> > : > : In Word 2000 every option (File, Edit, View, etc) works
: >> > fine, but
: >> > suddenly
: >> > : > : the Tools option does not work at all. I get a message
: >> > asking
: > whether
: >> > to
: >> > : > : send a report to Microsoft, and then the program shuts
: >> > down. It
: > seems
: >> > : > like
: >> > : > : some kind of link has been lost. Any suggestions would be
: >> > appreciated.
: >
: >
:
:
 
T

Tikvah

HERE's a good one! I tried your suggestions and couldn't find a solution.
Along the way, I moved Thesaurus to the toolbar and out of the Tools box.
Now the Tools box is working. WHY???? Thx.
 
T

Tikvah

When following your previous instructions I was unable to find any add-ins at
all, let alone a dictionary or thesaurus. There didn't seem to be ANY
add-ins.
 
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