Another Process Uses Normal.dot When You Automate Word (818953)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Content Management Server 2002
  • Microsoft Word 2002
  • Microsoft Word 2002 Service Pack 1 (SP-1)
  • Microsoft Word 2002 Service Pack 2 (SP-2)

SYMPTOMS

When you are using Microsoft Content Management Server (MCMS) Authoring Connector and you automate Microsoft Word, you may receive the following error message if you open two or more Word documents, and you then close the second or later instances of Word:
This file is in use by another application or user.
(C:\...\Normal.dot)

CAUSE

Typically, only one instance of Word runs for a user, and that instance holds the Normal.dot template. Any changes that are made to the toolbar cause that instance to save the template. If another process is holding that template, the user is prompted to save the template in another location.

When you automate Word (for example, if you want to perform background tasks that you do not have to see or interact with), a new instance of Word is created. This new instance holds and locks the template.

When you use MCMS Authoring Connector, changes are made to the toolbar. These changes invalidate that instance and require you to save Normal.dot when you close the application.

RESOLUTION

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Content Management Server 2002. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

906142 How to obtain the latest Content Management Server 2002 service pack

Hotfix information

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Hotfix Replacement Information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File Information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
   Date         Time   Version        Size  File name
   ------------------------------------------------------   
   10-Dec-2002  21:52  4.0.1381.4   65,600  Cmsupdate.exe    
   15-May-2003  00:09  5.0.1632.0  229,944  Offcon.dll       
   01-May-2003  17:21                1,650  Update.inf

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce the Behavior

  1. Install Authoring Connector for MCMS 2002.
  2. Click Start, and then click Run.
  3. Open a command prompt, and then type the following at the command prompt to start Word with the /automation switch:

    winword /automation

  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to create a second Word instance.
  5. Close the Word instance that you created in step 4.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this Is a problem In the Microsoft products that are listed In the "Applies To" section. This problem was corrected in Content Management Server 2002 Service Pack 1.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/7/2005
Keywords:kbContentMgtServ2002sp1fix kbHotfixServer kbBug kbfix kbQFE KB818953 kbAudDeveloper
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