Word 97

[shoot3gun]

As a last resort, I did a search to find a forum where someone might be able to solve my problem. I have not been able to do it myself. I hope this is where I can find the help I need.

I'm using a Windows XP Home system, and Microsoft Office Professional 97. My problem is with Word.

Earlier this month, my wife asked me to print the envelopes for our Christmas card list. She recently had surgery on her hand and has trouble writing.

A database was created using Access. She developed the custom envelope size for the cards she was using and e-mailed it to me. We had decided to use my computer and printer since my Epson was easier to print envelopes on.

I printed everything without a problem and was quite happy.

However, the next time I went to use Word, when I opened the program, Access also opened, and the envelope document that my wife had e-mailed me appeared on the acreen. The document was complete with our return address and the default settings from Access in the place where you would put the addressee's information. I closed everything out and re-opened Word, only to have the same thing happen again.

I deleted any file I could find that related to the Christmas card list, including the Access database, the envelope form my wife had e-mailed me, even her e-mail where she did so. The problem still existed.

Believing that there was still a connection between Word and Access, I deleted Access from the computer and opened Word. The same document appeared, along with a message indicating trouble connecting with Access. I used the option to discontinue trying to open Access.

Access was reinstalled.

Now when I opened Word, it no longer tried to open Access, but it still brought up the same envelope document, just like before. I tried saving the envelope document then deleting it from the folder. However, this did not help.

I then deleted and reinstalled Word, only to still have the same problem.

I then completely deleted Office Professional 97 from the compter and reinstalled it. I still had the same problem.

Last night, I was working on an old document and closed it out. This now left me with a blank, dark gray screen, and no blank page to work with. I opened the default blank document and the envelope form appeared, so I knew that my deafult document was now this form.

I went into page setup and changed the default document to an 8.5" x 11" page, and this worked, sort of.

Now, when I open the blank default document, I get an 8.5" x 11" page, but still with our return address and the deault mail merge settings from Access in the place where you would put the adressee's info. Access does not open.

I highlighted the return address and deleted it, only to have the entire document go away. I was unable to resolve this.

As it stands right now, I cannot open a blank document and start from scratch. When the blank opens and I delete the return address, the document goes away. If I need a blank document now, I will have to open an old one, do a "save as" then delete the content. However, since I haven't tried this, I don't know if it will work or if I'll be presented with the envelope document again.

Any suggestions???????

Thank you,

Denny

[Martin L]

Moved to appropriate forum, General Discussion is not a trashcan where you can dump your posts, next time post in the appropriate forum directly

[colinbate]

It looks like your default template (normal.dot) has become corrupt delete this file & start word it will be recreated for you.

Martin L

Moved to appropriate forum, General Discussion is not a trashcan where you can dump your posts, next time post in the appropriate forum directly

Since when has a forum for office 2000 and above been the right place for office 97 problems.

Regards

Colin Bate

[Martin L]

all office posts should go in here....

[shoot3gun]

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry I upset you so much. I did not see where this fit better than in General Discussion. It wasn't intended to be placed in a dumping ground. This was my first post. Sorry I asked you for help.

[EchoNoise]

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry I upset you so much. I did not see where this fit better than in General Discussion. It wasn't intended to be placed in a dumping ground. This was my first post. Sorry I asked you for help.

Now now, don't be like that

Create a Word document, set it up to however you want it to look like at first start-up... and then save it as a template called Normal.dot