normal.dot is in use by other application

[Amedee Van Gasse]

Office 2003sp3

When two or more separate instances are opened, on closing a file in
the second instance, the following errors appear (back translated from
Dutch):

* There are changes in the template Normal.dot. Do you want to save
these changes?
* This file is in use by another application or user (location of
normal.dot)

Word is configured _not_ to bug the user with questions about
normal.dot (yes, I know that this is a security risk). That setting
works when there is only one Word instance active.

I have no control over the launching of Word applications because they
are automated by various other report creating software. Word can also
be in use as email editor of Outlook.

Already tried:
* deleting normal.dot
* setting normal.dot read-only
* reinstallation of Office 2003

Problem has so far been reported by at least 3 out of ~3000 users,
however the problem can be reliably reproduced by following Steps to
Reproduce the Behavior on http://support.microsoft.com/kb/818953. The
hotfix mentioned in KB818953 does not apply.

I'm looking for further troubleshooting suggestions.

 

[Doug Robbins - Word MVP]

The creators of the other software should modify their code so that it uses
the existing instance of Word if it is running, rather then create a new
instance.

--
Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP, originally posted via msnews.microsoft.com