WORD 97: Crazy sequence to quit

[wdc]

I am trying to resurrect an old Laptop (Dell Latitude Model CP M338T with Windows NT) I inherited to see whether it has enough functionality that I can give it to a friend who is just getting into computers.

Needless to say, I am running into many problems. This is one of them.

The system includes a WORD program designated “WORD97 SR-2” that seems to work just like my WORD 2003 except that I need to go through this sequence each time I try to quit Word after I save my file:

1. I click File\Exit …. I get the message “Do you want to replace the existing Normal?” , to which I click No.
2. I then get a Save As screen showing Save in: with “Template” in the dropdown box and File name: Normal. I click Cancel.
3. A blank screen appears with the standard headings (File/Edit/View/ Insert/..) across the top. I click File/Exit.
4. This screeen then appears: “Changes have been made that affect the global template, Normal. Do you want to save those changes?” I click No and, finally, I get back to my Desktop of icons.

Can anyone tell me how I can shortcut this sequence of steps?

Thanks much.

[Steve R Jones]

That's an error situation that all versions of Word will do.

Normal which is probablt Normal.DOT is the standard template you see when you open Word. It is prone to corruption. Odds are pretty good that if you delete the file, all will be well the next time you open word....

** Note that I haven't used Word 97 in MANY years so the above is an educated guess. **

[wdc]

Steve: Thank you so much. To be sure ... what's the best way to delete the file Normal? Do I search for it as <normal.dot> or just as <normal>?

As I understand it, the file Normal will be regenerated on the next call for WORD (or is it on the next boot)?

[Steve R Jones]

I know that in version 2000 to 2003, the file is called Normal.dot

And after you delete it (with word closed) it gets recreated the next time you open Word.

[Train]

Word 97 had the same general operating performance as later versions such as Word 2000.

So, I believe Steve has it right.

[wdc]

Steve, Train: Continued thanks. But WIW I'm afraid deleting NORMAL did not fix the problem.

Right now if I use the Find to search for normal.* I get just 3 files, all part of RealPlayer. Yet WORD continues to work; and I still have to go through all those "crazy" steps to exit the program.

[Train]

You need to show the extensions.
Scroll down to 98.
http://nunzioweb.com/misc/show_file_extensions.htm

[SpywareDr]

You are prompted to save the changes to the Normal.dot or Normal.dotm or Normal.dotm global template every time that you quit Word
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/291352

[wdc]

Train:

<<You need to show the extensions.
Scroll down to 98.
http://nunzioweb.com/misc/show_file_extensions.htm>>

I am afraid I do not understand what/why you are telling me here.

Spyware Dr. -- Suppose I say YES when prompted to "Do you want to save those changes to the global template Normal?" I have been consistently saying NO. Might <that> fix my crazy sequence problem? I am tempted to try but don't want to do something that will make things irreversably worse.

ALL: I should have mentioned earlier (sorry for the oversight) that the OS on this old pc is NT 4.0.

[SpywareDr]

Did you try the steps outlined in the link I posted above?

The first thing they wanted you try was:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
   
   
2. On the Save tab, click to clear the Prompt to save Normal template check box.

If that doesn't solve the problem, there are more things you can try further down that page.

[wdc]

Doc: Partial success! I tried your suggested fix:

<<The first thing they wanted you try was:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

2. On the Save tab, click to clear the Prompt to save Normal template check box.>>

Now each time I Exit I get the message: "Changes have been made to the global template, Normal. Do you want to save the changes?" I say No and I am returned to my desktop; none of that crazy sequence anymore!

Suppose I said Yes? Would that cause a serious unfixable error? Or might it just work? Safe to try?

[SpywareDr]

Create a backup of your current normal.dot file, and then answer Yes?

[Steve R Jones]

Normal which is probably Normal.DOT is the standard template you see when you open Word.

Your system thinks (and is probably correct) that you have made changed to the standard default template...Many people do this on purpose so that everytime they open Word - there are new and improved stuff there and they don't have to add it each time they type a letter.

So either say YES or Delete the darn file...You'll get old and gray headed if it takes you a week to sort small things like this out

[wdc]

After all my hesitation I finally said YES to the "Do you want to replace the existing Normal..?" Only to get the message,
"This file is Read-Only. C:\Program Files\....\Normal.Dot"

Why do they ask if you want to change Normal if it <can not> be changed?
I guess I'll live with the (really minor) annoyance.

Thanks to all. You are great.

[SpywareDr]

To remove the Read-only attribute from your Normal.dot file, try this:

1. Do a Start > Search for
   normal.dot
2. When it's found, right-click it and select Properties.
   
   
3. Remove the checkmark from the little box next to "Read-only", then click Apply > OK.