Windows XP plus MS Word 97 - odd interface messages

S

Steve Hustad

After loading the Windows XP pro. OS, and then reloading
my old MS Office Word & Excel 97 programs, things work
fine, except for a couple types of odd messages that keep
coming up when trying to access Word (or Excel) documents
through certain pathways.

When I try to access a document via the 'Windows
Explorer', or 'Explore' window - or when opening a
document attached to an email received through Outlook
Express, I get an Microsoft Word window/message that comes
up (one with the big question mark in it) and says
something like: "The document (such and such) is in use by
(such and such). Do you want to make a copy?".
I can click on cancel and then it seems to (still) work
okay, but what's causing those messages?
And is there a way that things can be adjusted to
eliminate those message 'pop-ups'?

I can access documents through the program first, then the
directory, etc. with no such messages.
Thanks for any help you can offer,

Steve Hustad
 
D

Dave

-----Original Message-----
After loading the Windows XP pro. OS, and then reloading
my old MS Office Word & Excel 97 programs, things work
fine, except for a couple types of odd messages that keep
coming up when trying to access Word (or Excel) documents
through certain pathways.

When I try to access a document via the 'Windows
Explorer', or 'Explore' window - or when opening a
document attached to an email received through Outlook
Express, I get an Microsoft Word window/message that comes
up (one with the big question mark in it) and says
something like: "The document (such and such) is in use by
(such and such). Do you want to make a copy?".
I can click on cancel and then it seems to (still) work
okay, but what's causing those messages?
And is there a way that things can be adjusted to
eliminate those message 'pop-ups'?

I can access documents through the program first, then the
directory, etc. with no such messages.
Thanks for any help you can offer,

Steve Hustad
.
Click to expand...

The problem is probably related to extra owner files left
hanging around. These are just hidden temporary files
that tell Word when a document is already open (which is
the message you're getting).

Give this a try:
1. Turn on show all files (open any folder, click Tools -
Folder Options -> View tab -> click "Show all files and
Click to expand...
folders").
2. Search for all ~$ files (Click Start -> Search ->
Click All Files and Folders -> type ~$ in the filename
area -> click search)
3. Just delete any of these files that you find.

You may also want to search for and rename your normal
template (Normal.dot) and remove anything listed in the
three following folders:
1. C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Application
Data\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART

2. C:\Documents and Settings\student\Application
Data\Microsoft\Word\STARTUP

3. C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Startup

HTH!

Dave
 
S

Steve Hustad

I tried the 'fixes' suggested below, but none worked, or
made any difference.
Are there possibily incompatibility issues between Windows
XP & Office 97?
Any other suggestions/comments would be appreciated.
Steve Hustad
 
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