INFO: Corrupt Normal.dot Causes Errors When Automating Word (247028)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Word 2003
  • Microsoft Word 2002
  • Microsoft Word 2000
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95 7.0a
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q247028

SUMMARY

One or more invalid Normal.dot template files may cause an out-of-process automation client to throw one of the following errors:
HRESULT: 0x8001010A
VB Error: -2147417846
"The message filter indicated that the application is busy"
HRESULT: 0x800A175D
VB Error: 5981
"Cannot open macro storage"
HRESULT: 0x800A142D
VB Error: 5165
"Word cannot open the existing [square]"

MORE INFORMATION

The Normal.dot template file used by Word might be corrupt. If you are encountering one of the errors described in the Summary section, you can temporarily rename the Normal.dot template to determine if it is the cause of the problem.

Renaming the Normal.dot template resets several options back to their default settings, including custom styles, custom toolbars, macros, and AutoText entries. It is strongly recommended that you rename the Normal.dot file rather than deleting it, so that you can restore these settings if the template is not corrupt.

Certain installations of Word may yield more than one legitimate Normal.dot file. These situations include multiple versions of Word running on the same computer or several user profiles on the same computer. In these situations, pay special attention so that you rename the correct copy of Normal.dot.

To rename the Normal.dot file follow these steps:
  1. Quit all instances of Word, including WordMail.
  2. On the Windows taskbar, click Start, point to Find, and click Files or Folders.
  3. In the Named box, type Normal.dot.
  4. In the Look In box, select your local hard disk drive (or an alternate user template location if you are running Word from a network server).
  5. Click Find Now to search for the file.
  6. For each occurrence of Normal.dot that appears in the Find dialog box, right-click the file. Click Rename on the shortcut menu. Give the file a new name, such as OldNormal.dot or Normal-1.dot.
  7. Minimize the find dialog box.
  8. Restart your automation client to start Word.

If Word starts correctly, you have resolved the problem. In this case the problem is a damaged Normal.dot template. You might need to change a few settings to restore your favorite options. If the Normal.dot file you renamed contains customizations, such as styles, macros, or AutoText entries that cannot be easily recreated, you may be able to copy those customizations from the old Normal.dot file to the new Normal.dot file by using the organizer.

For more information about using the organizer do the following:
  1. Click Office Assistant.
  2. Type Using the Organizer.
  3. Click Search.
  4. Click Use Settings from Another Document or Template.

If your toolbar customizations are stored in a custom toolbar, you should be able to copy them using the Organizer. Unfortunately, if the customizations were made to one of Word's built-in toolbars you might need to recreate them after you rename your template because you cannot copy those changes with the Organizer.

(c) Microsoft Corporation 1999, All Rights Reserved. Contributions by Chris Jensen, Microsoft Corporation.

REFERENCES

For additional information about the error messages, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

173547 WD: Error Message: Word Cannot Open the Document

189439 WD97: Word Fails to Open "Cannot Open the Existing <Square Symbol>"

224338 PRB: Error 800A175D - Could Not Open Macro Storage

246018 BUG: Automation Error 8001010A when Automating Word 2000

272347 OFF98: Visual Basic Error Messages When You Start Office Program or Visual Basic Editor, or Run a Macro

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:3/23/2006
Keywords:kbAutomation kbinfo KB247028
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.