WD98: Error Message Starting Word: Microsoft Visual Basic: Unexpected Critical Error, Can't Start the Program (185422)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q185422

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to start Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition, you may receive the following error message:
Microsoft Visual Basic: Unexpected critical error, can't start the program.

CAUSE

This problem can occur if the PPC Registration Database and Type Libraries folder are missing when you start Word.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, you can remove four Microsoft Extensions and run the Microsoft Office First Run installer, or you can reinstall Office 98 by using the Office Custom Install folder.

To run the Microsoft Office First Run installer, follow these steps:
  1. Quit all open programs.
  2. From the Extensions folder in the System Folder, move the following files to the Trash:

    Microsoft Component Library
    Microsoft OLE Automation
    Microsoft OLE Library
    Microsoft Structured Storage
  3. Close the Extensions folder and open the Office folder, which is located in the Microsoft Office 98 folder.
  4. Locate the Microsoft Office First Run installer, and double-click it to start it.
  5. In the Microsoft Office First Run dialog box, click Install.

To reinstall Office 98, follow these steps:
  1. Insert your Macintosh Office 98 CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive.
  2. Open the Office Custom Install folder.
  3. Double-click Microsoft Office Installer.
  4. Click Install.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

The PPC Registration Database (located in the Preferences folder) and the Type Libraries folder (located in the Extensions folder) are required for Word to start. If they are missing, the only way to reinstall these files is to perform a complete reinstallation from the Office Custom Install folder. First Run installation does not recopy the Type Libraries.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/4/2002
Keywords:kbbug KB185422
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.