WD98: Troubleshooting OLE Server Issues in Microsoft Word 98 (179251)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

This article was previously published under Q179251

SYMPTOMS

The following are OLE issues that you may encounter in Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition:

  • The OLE server object is not available in the Object dialog box (on the Insert menu, click Object).

    -or-
  • You receive the following OLE server error message:
    The server application, source file, or item cannot be found. Make sure the application is properly installed, and that it has not been deleted, moved, or renamed.


    -or-
  • You are unable to edit an OLE object that exists in a document.

WORKAROUND

To troubleshoot OLE issues in Word 98, use the following methods in the order specified. After you try a method, test the OLE application to see whether the problem is resolved.

Method 1: Reinstall the OLE Application That Is Having the Problem

This is the preferred method to ensure proper registration. Because Office 98 Macintosh Edition does not include a maintenance mode Setup option, you must run the Installer to reinstall the server application. After the installation is complete, the server application is re-registered.

For additional information about a method for reinstalling OLE applications, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

179217 OFF98: Using First Run Installation to Troubleshoot Mac Office

Method 2: Double-click the OLE Server Application

Double-clicking the server application forces it to start, at which point it is registered. Most of the OLE applications are located in the Microsoft Office 98:Office folder.

An error message may appear, informing you that the server application must be started from within a program. If the error message appears, allow the server application to run, quit it, and then try running it from within Microsoft Word 98.

Method 3: Delete the Office Registration Cache File

The Office Registration Cache file is new to Office 98 Macintosh Edition. This file, which contains OLE registration information about the Office 98 programs, is located in the System:Preferences folder. It is a combination of information from the Settings file and the Registration Database files.

This file allows you to re-register Office programs without deleting the registration databases. (You should always try to delete the Office Registration Cache file before you try to delete the Registration Database file.)

Method 4: Delete the Registration and PPC Registration Database Files

A last-resort method for resolving Office 98 OLE server issues is to delete the Registration Database file and the PPC Registration Database file. Do not delete these files if you are having trouble with only a single OLE server application. These files contain registration information for non-Office programs, as well.

CAUTION: You should always make a backup copy of these files before you delete them.

When you install a program, Setup registers it in the Registration Database file and the PPC Registration Database file. These files are located in the System:Preferences folder. The Registration Database and the PPC Registration Database files also contain information about OLE 2.0 functionality.

NOTE: The Embedding Preferences file contains information about OLE 1.0 functionality. If you delete the Registration Database, the PPC Registration Database, or the Embedding Preferences file, the system recreates the file when you start an OLE 1.0 or OLE 2.0 program.

MORE INFORMATION

Rebuilding the Registration Database file has the following effect:

The Custom dictionary will be missing from Word. To re-establish the Custom dictionary, click Preferences on the Tools menu, and then click the Spelling and Grammar tab. Click Dictionaries, click Add, browse to the correct folder, and then select the Custom dictionary. Click Open and then click OK.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/4/2002
Keywords:kbprb kbtshoot KB179251