Word Crashing

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Word Crashing

I am having problems with word crashing on me, i have been using it without any problems until yesterday and now it just crahses continuously, according to the activity monitor it is using up 99% of my CPU! I read something about downgrading some german files but that probably doesnt apply to me since i am writing my thesis in english? but i still tried removing those german files but it didnt make any difference, it still crashes. I would really appreciate any help! I am in the middle of thesis writing and this is realy not the best time for this 😟

MacBook Pro 1.83 GHz, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Jun 9, 2006 5:59 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 9, 2006 6:36 PM in response to macsmak

Hi

Try deleting your Word preferences file at

your home/Library/Preferences/com.Microsoft.word.plist

Matt

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Answer 2

macsmak Author

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Jun 10, 2006 3:15 PM in response to Matt Clifton

Hi Matt,
I tried deleting that file and it still crashed, any other suggestions?

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Answer 3

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Jun 10, 2006 3:33 PM in response to macsmak

Create a new account, name it "test" and see how Word works in that User acct? (That will tell if your problem is systemwide or limited to your User acct.) This account is just for test, do nothing further with it.

Open System Preferences >> Accounts >> "+" make it an admin account.

Let us know and we'll troubleshoot this further.

-mj
macjack@gmail.com

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Answer 4

macsmak Author

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Jun 11, 2006 3:42 AM in response to macjack

Hi MackJack,

Actually the problem isnt as persistent as i thought.. I still havent figured out why it sometimes works and sometimes doesnt. I tried making a test account and it seemed to be working fine there, then i went back to my account and it crashed on me 3 times.. or maybe i shouldnt say crashed.. it stops responding according to the activity monitor. Sometimes its fine even though i have lots of other programs open but sometimes it wont work even though its the only program running.. But i have noticed that there is a blank window that pops up at the same time as it freezes.. maybe its audomatically-saving changes?

MacBook Pro 1.83 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

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Answer 5

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Jun 11, 2006 4:38 AM in response to macsmak

Often MS Word issues are font related. You might navigate to ~(YourHome)/Library/ Fonts and drag this folder to the desktop.
Then restart and test Word. If it does not quit for a long enough period either try adding the fonts back few at a time, or do without them.
( Likely suspects are Times RO & Helvetica Fractions.)

-mj
macjack@gmail.com

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Answer 6

macsmak Author

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Jun 11, 2006 3:23 PM in response to macjack

Thanks, that was helpful! I did a compatibility check in word and it came up with issues relating to an uninstalled english proof toolbox and that i was using characters that might not display correctly in older versions of word for apple.. anyway i guess i should try and install those missing fonts and toolboxes, right?

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Answer 7

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Jun 11, 2006 4:29 PM in response to macsmak

You can try that, frankly I've never used that Word option so I'm not sure. Did you try moving ~/Library/Fonts to the desktop? Word should operate fine without this folder, although you will be limited to OS X fonts until you sort it out, find the troublemakers and replace your other fonts.

-mj
macjack@gmail.com

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Answer 8

macsmak Author

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Jun 13, 2006 3:03 PM in response to macjack

I tried removing the fonts but then word couldnt open the equations so i put them back. The good thing is that if it doesnt crash right away it doesnt do it at all.. it either works or it doesnt, so i ususally just open the documents a few times untill it stops crashing. I am going to re-install the word and i am also getting more RAM hopeflly that will work.. otherwise i guess i'll try and work around the problem (if it doesnt get worse that is), and trouble shoot it when i have more time!

Thanks alot for the help though!

I´ll let you know if it works after i re-install it

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Answer 9

A A P L

Level 7

21,764 points

Jun 13, 2006 3:50 PM in response to macsmak

Go to versiontracker.com and download:
Linotype FontExplorer X.
It has an option called: Clean System Font Folders under the Tools menu.
This will bring your system back to "stock" and place all other fonts in a folder on your desktop.
It's also free and a really good font manager.
Now, after you reboot, delete the following: "com.apple.FontBook.plist"
Reboot.
Don't use FontBook (assuming you did use it) - stick with FontExplorer X.
FontExplorer X can also delete font caches - including those for Office.

One other thing - did your computer have the "Office 2004 test drive" on it by chance? That needs to be uninstalled before installing and updating Office 2004 - which BTW, was updated today to 11.2.4.

Scott

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Answer 10

macsmak Author

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Jun 16, 2006 1:15 AM in response to A A P L

Thanks its stopped crashing 🙂

I think it was the test drive that was the problem as you suggested.
WORD startet working fine after i realised there is an uninstall feature under the Microsoft Office/Other Tools folder that does a thorough clean up (as far as i can see), it deleted something called "Microsoft Office X (including test)"
I had previously tried deleting word and re-installing it myself without success. I think i didnt delete all the files and preferences.

I also cleaned up the font issue with Linotype FontExplorer X.
The only problem left was because of a spelling and grammar tools issues, but the solution for that can be found here in case someone else has that problem 🙂
http://word.mvps.org/mac/SpellCheck.html#Fixes

Thanks 🙂

P.s I also got more RAM so that helped as well it was terribly slow before!

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Answer 11

A A P L

Level 7

21,764 points

Jun 16, 2006 11:15 AM in response to macsmak

Glad to hear it helped you!
Enjoy your Mac.

Scott

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