Word XP Does Not Create New Normal.dot

[TF]

Scott

Read my reply to Dian first then try the following. Create a new folder on
your local C Drive and call it 'Test'. Open Word and go to Tools, Options,
File Locations tab and change the path for User Templates to the new Test
folder.

Change the Default font to Arial or something and press the DEFAULT button,
then go to File Page Setup and change the margins to something else and
press DEFAULT in that dialog too.

Now close Word: hopefully it will prompt you to save changes to the global
template and a new normal.dot should be created in the Test folder.

Does it work?

Terry

 

[Scott]

Scott

Read my reply to Dian first then try the following. Create a new folder on
your local C Drive and call it 'Test'. Open Word and go to Tools, Options,
File Locations tab and change the path for User Templates to the new Test
folder.

Change the Default font to Arial or something and press the DEFAULT button,
then go to File Page Setup and change the margins to something else and
press DEFAULT in that dialog too.

Now close Word: hopefully it will prompt you to save changes to the global
template and a new normal.dot should be created in the Test folder.

Does it work?

Terry

That was a good test, unfortunately it did not work. I changed the
location for the User Templates to C:\Test, and then closed and
reopened Word. (No Normal.dot in C:\Test at that time.) The new file
location stayed at C:\Test.

I then made changes both to the font and to the margins, hitting
Default to both and agreeing to make changes to the normal template.
Then, when I close word, it asks if I want to save changes to Document
1. I say no and then Word closer with no further

Reopening Word - both the Font and the Margins are back to the
"original" defaults.

Yes, that is strange.

Regarding the other post to Dian, I did look at the properties of each
folder:
Documents and Settings
User Name
Application Data
Microsoft
Templates

Each folder properties had a grayed check mark in the "Read-only" box.
Unchecking the box, hitting apply, closing the properties window,
reopening the properties window - the grayed Read-only box is
rechecked.

Yesterday, I had tried this problem on the other user (the other user
and I have administrator rights) as well as logging on as the
administrator - it made no difference. No Normal.dot was made nor
were the changes saved.

I just checked again in User Accounts - each user does have
administrator rights.

Scott

 

[Scott]

That was a good test, unfortunately it did not work. I changed the
location for the User Templates to C:\Test, and then closed and
reopened Word. (No Normal.dot in C:\Test at that time.) The new file
location stayed at C:\Test.

I then made changes both to the font and to the margins, hitting
Default to both and agreeing to make changes to the normal template.
Then, when I close word, it asks if I want to save changes to Document
1. I say no and then Word closer with no further

Reopening Word - both the Font and the Margins are back to the
"original" defaults.

Yes, that is strange.

Regarding the other post to Dian, I did look at the properties of each
folder:
Documents and Settings
User Name
Application Data
Microsoft
Templates

Each folder properties had a grayed check mark in the "Read-only" box.
Unchecking the box, hitting apply, closing the properties window,
reopening the properties window - the grayed Read-only box is
rechecked.

Yesterday, I had tried this problem on the other user (the other user
and I have administrator rights) as well as logging on as the
administrator - it made no difference. No Normal.dot was made nor
were the changes saved.

I just checked again in User Accounts - each user does have
administrator rights.

Scott

Should have indicated that the grayed-out checked Read-only attribute
box is, I believe, normal.

 

[TF]

Scott

Just to clarify: you are saying that the same happens to a different user on
a different computer?

Partially greyed is normal for the Temp folder because it will contain some
Read Only files. However, you can still click the button and it should
toggle through the three conditions, Read Only, Read Only partially greyed
out, and completely clear. Make sure that it is completely clear before
closing the dialog. It doesn't matter if it is greyed out again when you
check the Properties but it will ensure that the Temp Folder is OK.

Terry

 

[Scott]

Scott

Just to clarify: you are saying that the same happens to a different user on
a different computer?

Partially greyed is normal for the Temp folder because it will contain some
Read Only files. However, you can still click the button and it should
toggle through the three conditions, Read Only, Read Only partially greyed
out, and completely clear. Make sure that it is completely clear before
closing the dialog. It doesn't matter if it is greyed out again when you
check the Properties but it will ensure that the Temp Folder is OK.

Terry

No, if either a different user or the administrator log onto this same
computer, the same thing occurs - a new Normal.dot is not created in
any of the three users of this computer.

As stated in a follow-up I posted, I am aware that the grayed
Read-only is normal for these folders - and it does cycle through the
three positions as you indicate.

I'm still working on this myself as time (and strength - I'm out of
work on disability) allows. If something comes to me that might shed
more light on this or if I find the answer myself, I will certainly be
posting further replies.

Thanks again.

Scott Kloter

 

[TF]

Scott

I'll think on this as it is a completely new problem I've not encountered.

Terry

: On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 16:00:43 -0000, "TF"
: <terryfarrell%40%6d%73%6e%2ecom> wrote:
:
: >Scott
: >
: >Just to clarify: you are saying that the same happens to a different user
on
: >a different computer?
: >
: >Partially greyed is normal for the Temp folder because it will contain
some
: >Read Only files. However, you can still click the button and it should
: >toggle through the three conditions, Read Only, Read Only partially
greyed
: >out, and completely clear. Make sure that it is completely clear before
: >closing the dialog. It doesn't matter if it is greyed out again when you
: >check the Properties but it will ensure that the Temp Folder is OK.
: >
: >Terry
: >
: No, if either a different user or the administrator log onto this same
: computer, the same thing occurs - a new Normal.dot is not created in
: any of the three users of this computer.
:
: As stated in a follow-up I posted, I am aware that the grayed
: Read-only is normal for these folders - and it does cycle through the
: three positions as you indicate.
:
: I'm still working on this myself as time (and strength - I'm out of
: work on disability) allows. If something comes to me that might shed
: more light on this or if I find the answer myself, I will certainly be
: posting further replies.
:
: Thanks again.
:
: Scott Kloter

 

[Scott]

Scott

I'll think on this as it is a completely new problem I've not encountered.

Terry

: On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 16:00:43 -0000, "TF"
: <terryfarrell%40%6d%73%6e%2ecom> wrote:
:
: >Scott
: >
: >Just to clarify: you are saying that the same happens to a different user
on
: >a different computer?
: >
: >Partially greyed is normal for the Temp folder because it will contain
some
: >Read Only files. However, you can still click the button and it should
: >toggle through the three conditions, Read Only, Read Only partially
greyed
: >out, and completely clear. Make sure that it is completely clear before
: >closing the dialog. It doesn't matter if it is greyed out again when you
: >check the Properties but it will ensure that the Temp Folder is OK.
: >
: >Terry
: >
: No, if either a different user or the administrator log onto this same
: computer, the same thing occurs - a new Normal.dot is not created in
: any of the three users of this computer.
:
: As stated in a follow-up I posted, I am aware that the grayed
: Read-only is normal for these folders - and it does cycle through the
: three positions as you indicate.
:
: I'm still working on this myself as time (and strength - I'm out of
: work on disability) allows. If something comes to me that might shed
: more light on this or if I find the answer myself, I will certainly be
: posting further replies.
:
: Thanks again.
:
: Scott Kloter

Just a couple of things I have noticed :

If I look at Tools/Macros and then select "Macros in: Normal.dot
(Global Template", there are no macros shown. There is a fairly long
list of macros under "All active templates and documents". Can't
remember if this is as it should be. Also, the delete button stays
grayed out for all macros.

If I look at Tools/Templates and Add-ins, there are two Add-ins shown.
If I highlight either, the Delete button stays greed out. If I
uncheck the Add-Ins, close Word (receive no request to save Normal.dot
changes) and then reopen Word, the two Add-Ins are once again checked.

However, I can uncheck a COM Add-In from the
Tools/Customize/Commands/Tools/COM Add-Ins, close Word, and when I
restart the Add-In remains unchecked.

Yes, the "Prompt to save Normal template" is checked.

All of the above may be meaningless, but thought I'd throw it out
there.

Scott

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

When you uncheck add-ins in the Tools | Templates and Add-ins dialog, you
are just unloading them for the current session. If they are in Word's
Startup folder (or the Office Startup folder), they will still be loaded
again the next time you start Word.

 

[Scott]

When you uncheck add-ins in the Tools | Templates and Add-ins dialog, you
are just unloading them for the current session. If they are in Word's
Startup folder (or the Office Startup folder), they will still be loaded
again the next time you start Word.

Thanks for the reminder. I have taken them out of the Office Startup
folder, and that has had no effect on the Normal.dot issue.

 

[TF]

Scott

Although I have never heard of this before, I am considering that maybe
(all) the profiles on that PC are corrupt. I have seen on many occasions a
user's profile cause very strange problems and deleting and recreating a new
profile resolved the problem: however, I have never know all the profiles on
one PC to be corrupt. Is it possible that you created one profile and then
use that to create the other users' profiles?

Terry

: On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 20:12:20 -0600, "Suzanne S. Barnhill"
:
: >When you uncheck add-ins in the Tools | Templates and Add-ins dialog, you
: >are just unloading them for the current session. If they are in Word's
: >Startup folder (or the Office Startup folder), they will still be loaded
: >again the next time you start Word.
: Thanks for the reminder. I have taken them out of the Office Startup
: folder, and that has had no effect on the Normal.dot issue.

 

[Scott]

Scott

Although I have never heard of this before, I am considering that maybe
(all) the profiles on that PC are corrupt. I have seen on many occasions a
user's profile cause very strange problems and deleting and recreating a new
profile resolved the problem: however, I have never know all the profiles on
one PC to be corrupt. Is it possible that you created one profile and then
use that to create the other users' profiles?

Terry

: On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 20:12:20 -0600, "Suzanne S. Barnhill"
:
: >When you uncheck add-ins in the Tools | Templates and Add-ins dialog, you
: >are just unloading them for the current session. If they are in Word's
: >Startup folder (or the Office Startup folder), they will still be loaded
: >again the next time you start Word.
: Thanks for the reminder. I have taken them out of the Office Startup
: folder, and that has had no effect on the Normal.dot issue.

No. Two of the profiles were created during the installation of
Windows XP - one user and the administrator. The third one (the one
in which I first noted the Word issue) was recreated (not copied)
after SP2 was installed.

Scott

 

[Scott]

Scott

Although I have never heard of this before, I am considering that maybe
(all) the profiles on that PC are corrupt. I have seen on many occasions a
user's profile cause very strange problems and deleting and recreating a new
profile resolved the problem: however, I have never know all the profiles on
one PC to be corrupt. Is it possible that you created one profile and then
use that to create the other users' profiles?

Terry

: On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 20:12:20 -0600, "Suzanne S. Barnhill"
:
: >When you uncheck add-ins in the Tools | Templates and Add-ins dialog, you
: >are just unloading them for the current session. If they are in Word's
: >Startup folder (or the Office Startup folder), they will still be loaded
: >again the next time you start Word.
: Thanks for the reminder. I have taken them out of the Office Startup
: folder, and that has had no effect on the Normal.dot issue.

I performed another test. I created a new user account, (not copied)
and then logged on as the new user.

I then ran Word which went through the install process before opening
a blank document. I made changes to the Normal template (default font
and default page setup - selecting Default and then saying yes to the
dialog that it would effect all documents based on the Normal
template.) I then closed Word, which did not ask me to save changes
to the Normal template. I looked in the new users Templates folder -
no Normal template was made.

So, that should rule out a corrupt profile as the cause for the Word
problem.

Scott

 

[TF]

Scott

Well I cannot think what is causing this problem. At this stage I'd
recommend saving any user data and then reformatting the disk so as to
reinstall a fresh Windows and Office installation. Test Word works before
install any applications in case it is a third party problem.

Terry

: On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 09:54:33 -0000, "TF"
: <terryfarrell%40%6d%73%6e%2ecom> wrote:
:
: >Scott
: >
: >Although I have never heard of this before, I am considering that maybe
: >(all) the profiles on that PC are corrupt. I have seen on many occasions
a
: >user's profile cause very strange problems and deleting and recreating a
new
: >profile resolved the problem: however, I have never know all the profiles
on
: >one PC to be corrupt. Is it possible that you created one profile and
then
: >use that to create the other users' profiles?
: >
: >Terry
: >
: >: >: On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 20:12:20 -0600, "Suzanne S. Barnhill"
: >:
: >: >When you uncheck add-ins in the Tools | Templates and Add-ins dialog,
you
: >: >are just unloading them for the current session. If they are in Word's
: >: >Startup folder (or the Office Startup folder), they will still be
loaded
: >: >again the next time you start Word.
: >: Thanks for the reminder. I have taken them out of the Office Startup
: >: folder, and that has had no effect on the Normal.dot issue.
: >
: I performed another test. I created a new user account, (not copied)
: and then logged on as the new user.
:
: I then ran Word which went through the install process before opening
: a blank document. I made changes to the Normal template (default font
: and default page setup - selecting Default and then saying yes to the
: dialog that it would effect all documents based on the Normal
: template.) I then closed Word, which did not ask me to save changes
: to the Normal template. I looked in the new users Templates folder -
: no Normal template was made.
:
: So, that should rule out a corrupt profile as the cause for the Word
: problem.
:
: Scott

 

[Scott]

Scott

Well I cannot think what is causing this problem. At this stage I'd
recommend saving any user data and then reformatting the disk so as to
reinstall a fresh Windows and Office installation. Test Word works before
install any applications in case it is a third party problem.

Terry

: On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 09:54:33 -0000, "TF"
: <terryfarrell%40%6d%73%6e%2ecom> wrote:
:
: >Scott
: >
: >Although I have never heard of this before, I am considering that maybe
: >(all) the profiles on that PC are corrupt. I have seen on many occasions
a
: >user's profile cause very strange problems and deleting and recreating a
new
: >profile resolved the problem: however, I have never know all the profiles
on
: >one PC to be corrupt. Is it possible that you created one profile and
then
: >use that to create the other users' profiles?
: >
: >Terry
: >
: >: >: On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 20:12:20 -0600, "Suzanne S. Barnhill"
: >:
: >: >When you uncheck add-ins in the Tools | Templates and Add-ins dialog,
you
: >: >are just unloading them for the current session. If they are in Word's
: >: >Startup folder (or the Office Startup folder), they will still be
loaded
: >: >again the next time you start Word.
: >: Thanks for the reminder. I have taken them out of the Office Startup
: >: folder, and that has had no effect on the Normal.dot issue.
: >
: I performed another test. I created a new user account, (not copied)
: and then logged on as the new user.
:
: I then ran Word which went through the install process before opening
: a blank document. I made changes to the Normal template (default font
: and default page setup - selecting Default and then saying yes to the
: dialog that it would effect all documents based on the Normal
: template.) I then closed Word, which did not ask me to save changes
: to the Normal template. I looked in the new users Templates folder -
: no Normal template was made.
:
: So, that should rule out a corrupt profile as the cause for the Word
: problem.
:
: Scott

Not sure if I am quite ready for that yet.

I just tried this one last experiment. I placed a backup set
Normal.dot in my Templates folder. I opened Word with a template
using a shortcut to that template on the desktop. If I look in the
Templates folder, there is a ~$Normal.dot as well as a ~WRL0003.tmp
file in the folder. When I close Word, these two obviously go away,
but then I noticed that the Normal.dot has grown in size about 1 KB.
I then checked by just opening and closing Word. After a few cycles,
the original Normal.dot, which started at 36 KB is now up to 56 KB. I
had noticed that the Normal.dot that I had replaced was about 256 KB.

Does this add any information to the problem, or just make it more
confusing?

Scott

 

[TF]

Well the temp file would confirm that Word is seeing and using the
normal.dot that you copied across. I take it that even with this normal.dot
you still cannot effect a change of the default font? Was the normal.dot set
to a non-default font before it was copied across? Was it from the same
version of Word?

What version of Word is this: OEM, Retail or MOLP media and if it is XP or
2003, has it definitely been activated?

Terry

: Not sure if I am quite ready for that yet.
:
: I just tried this one last experiment. I placed a backup set
: Normal.dot in my Templates folder. I opened Word with a template
: using a shortcut to that template on the desktop. If I look in the
: Templates folder, there is a ~$Normal.dot as well as a ~WRL0003.tmp
: file in the folder. When I close Word, these two obviously go away,
: but then I noticed that the Normal.dot has grown in size about 1 KB.
: I then checked by just opening and closing Word. After a few cycles,
: the original Normal.dot, which started at 36 KB is now up to 56 KB. I
: had noticed that the Normal.dot that I had replaced was about 256 KB.
:
: Does this add any information to the problem, or just make it more
: confusing?
:
: Scott

 

[Scott]

Well the temp file would confirm that Word is seeing and using the
normal.dot that you copied across. I take it that even with this normal.dot
you still cannot effect a change of the default font? Was the normal.dot set
to a non-default font before it was copied across? Was it from the same
version of Word?

What version of Word is this: OEM, Retail or MOLP media and if it is XP or
2003, has it definitely been activated?

Terry

: Not sure if I am quite ready for that yet.
:
: I just tried this one last experiment. I placed a backup set
: Normal.dot in my Templates folder. I opened Word with a template
: using a shortcut to that template on the desktop. If I look in the
: Templates folder, there is a ~$Normal.dot as well as a ~WRL0003.tmp
: file in the folder. When I close Word, these two obviously go away,
: but then I noticed that the Normal.dot has grown in size about 1 KB.
: I then checked by just opening and closing Word. After a few cycles,
: the original Normal.dot, which started at 36 KB is now up to 56 KB. I
: had noticed that the Normal.dot that I had replaced was about 256 KB.
:
: Does this add any information to the problem, or just make it more
: confusing?
:
: Scott

It is Word XP Retail.

I just tried again to save changes (font) to this latest Normal.dot
from the backup set, and it would accept the changes. And then the
change back to the original font, as well. Why? I don't know.

The Normal.dot started at about 35.5 KB. I then opened and closed
Word several times, and then opened Word through a template as well as
by opening Word, doing File/New and then from template. Closing Word
increases the size of Normal.dot - by about 1 KB each time.

Is that a normal occurrence, and is that why I found the Normal.dot to
be 256 KB at one point?

Scott

 

[TF]

Under Tools, Options, Save tab, is the FastSaves option UNCHECKED?

Terry


: On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 18:39:53 -0000, "TF"
: <terryfarrell%40%6d%73%6e%2ecom> wrote:
:
: >Well the temp file would confirm that Word is seeing and using the
: >normal.dot that you copied across. I take it that even with this
normal.dot
: >you still cannot effect a change of the default font? Was the normal.dot
set
: >to a non-default font before it was copied across? Was it from the same
: >version of Word?
: >
: >What version of Word is this: OEM, Retail or MOLP media and if it is XP
or
: >2003, has it definitely been activated?
: >
: >Terry
: >
: >: Not sure if I am quite ready for that yet.
: >:
: >: I just tried this one last experiment. I placed a backup set
: >: Normal.dot in my Templates folder. I opened Word with a template
: >: using a shortcut to that template on the desktop. If I look in the
: >: Templates folder, there is a ~$Normal.dot as well as a ~WRL0003.tmp
: >: file in the folder. When I close Word, these two obviously go away,
: >: but then I noticed that the Normal.dot has grown in size about 1 KB.
: >: I then checked by just opening and closing Word. After a few cycles,
: >: the original Normal.dot, which started at 36 KB is now up to 56 KB. I
: >: had noticed that the Normal.dot that I had replaced was about 256 KB.
: >:
: >: Does this add any information to the problem, or just make it more
: >: confusing?
: >:
: >: Scott
: >
: It is Word XP Retail.
:
: I just tried again to save changes (font) to this latest Normal.dot
: from the backup set, and it would accept the changes. And then the
: change back to the original font, as well. Why? I don't know.
:
: The Normal.dot started at about 35.5 KB. I then opened and closed
: Word several times, and then opened Word through a template as well as
: by opening Word, doing File/New and then from template. Closing Word
: increases the size of Normal.dot - by about 1 KB each time.
:
: Is that a normal occurrence, and is that why I found the Normal.dot to
: be 256 KB at one point?
:
: Scott

 

[Scott]

Under Tools, Options, Save tab, is the FastSaves option UNCHECKED?

Terry


: On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 18:39:53 -0000, "TF"
: <terryfarrell%40%6d%73%6e%2ecom> wrote:
:
: >Well the temp file would confirm that Word is seeing and using the
: >normal.dot that you copied across. I take it that even with this
normal.dot
: >you still cannot effect a change of the default font? Was the normal.dot
set
: >to a non-default font before it was copied across? Was it from the same
: >version of Word?
: >
: >What version of Word is this: OEM, Retail or MOLP media and if it is XP
or
: >2003, has it definitely been activated?
: >
: >Terry
: >
: >: Not sure if I am quite ready for that yet.
: >:
: >: I just tried this one last experiment. I placed a backup set
: >: Normal.dot in my Templates folder. I opened Word with a template
: >: using a shortcut to that template on the desktop. If I look in the
: >: Templates folder, there is a ~$Normal.dot as well as a ~WRL0003.tmp
: >: file in the folder. When I close Word, these two obviously go away,
: >: but then I noticed that the Normal.dot has grown in size about 1 KB.
: >: I then checked by just opening and closing Word. After a few cycles,
: >: the original Normal.dot, which started at 36 KB is now up to 56 KB. I
: >: had noticed that the Normal.dot that I had replaced was about 256 KB.
: >:
: >: Does this add any information to the problem, or just make it more
: >: confusing?
: >:
: >: Scott
: >
: It is Word XP Retail.
:
: I just tried again to save changes (font) to this latest Normal.dot
: from the backup set, and it would accept the changes. And then the
: change back to the original font, as well. Why? I don't know.
:
: The Normal.dot started at about 35.5 KB. I then opened and closed
: Word several times, and then opened Word through a template as well as
: by opening Word, doing File/New and then from template. Closing Word
: increases the size of Normal.dot - by about 1 KB each time.
:
: Is that a normal occurrence, and is that why I found the Normal.dot to
: be 256 KB at one point?
:
: Scott

Yes, Fast Saves was and is unchecked.

Scott

 

[ShahnoorTilak]

TF--you are correct, there is probably something else at work here, however
it is NOT the user. I was having the exact same problem. I could not
believe my eyes either, but Normal.dot was NOT being created. I am using
Word 2003. I put a Normal.dot into the folder as well but the changes did
not save. However, when I un-installed Acrobat 7.0, Word started creating a
Normal.dot

Scott--I know how frustrating this was. Out of curiosity, did/do you by any
chance have Acrobat installed?

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

See the last section of
http://www.gmayor.com/lose_that_adobe_acrobat_toolbar.htm