Word won't open

Givedark · 01-28-2013, 09:18 PM

Word (2008) will no longer open. No matter what method I use to open the program, nothing happens. The tiny blue light under the icon comes on for a fraction of a second, and then just goes out again. The program was working fine until I quit the application (using file quit)- now it just refuses to open. No errors or warnings. I tried removing all of the microsoft files in user-> library, but since that did not work I returned them

After looking around I thought it might be a problem with Mountain Lions resume feature; however, I can not turn it off. The forums claim that there is a box to turn this off in preferences-> general, but there is no such option.

How can I turn off auto resume (it's a dumb feature, I want it off regardless of the Word problem), and are there any other ideas for why this might refuse to open?

NaOH · 01-28-2013, 09:31 PM

1. Try restarting your Mac then see if Word will launch.

2. In System Preferences > General, the resume feature is titled Restore Windows When Quitting And Re-opening Apps.

anthlover · 01-28-2013, 09:34 PM

You might have to trash all office prefs, failing that reinstall it after trashing all prefs and reinstalling it. The office prefs are the most likely culprit. We can post the trashing directions if the prior suggestion does not resolve it.

Givedark · 01-28-2013, 09:47 PM

NaOH,
Restarting didn't work.

That option in system pref is not there
http://postimage.org/image/bqae5fard/

anthlover, what else should I trash besides the com.microsoft files and the "Microsoft" folder in user-library-preferences folder?

Givedark · 01-28-2013, 09:58 PM

If it's any help, console gives me this error if I try to start Word:

1/28/13 10:56:16.199 PM com.apple.launchd.peruser.503[206]: ([0x0-0x7d07d].com.microsoft.Word[565]) Job appears to have crashed: Trace/BPT trap: 5

anthlover · 01-28-2013, 10:39 PM

Here is the removal instructions from MS. You can skip to step 3 I believe if want to whack away at prefs first.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2500821

On a side note Also you can do a quick test a do a safe boot, restart with shift key held down and see if word starts. Similarly you can create a new users and see if the problem persists under the other user.

I would start with trashing the prefs. If you have the installer handy you then I would do the full monty from step1.

In the mean time do not forget about libreoffcie and neoffice but of which are very good.

trevor · 01-29-2013, 10:40 AM

There are many reports on the Microsoft forums about an inability to run Word 2008 under Mountain Lion. (There are also people reporting that it works, so whatever the issue is, it's common but apparently not universal.) I've never seen any good explanation of the problem, nor any good solution to the problem. The most common advice is to upgrade to Word 2011. Sorry for what is essentially a non-answer.

Trevor

anthlover · 01-29-2013, 07:43 PM

I have 2008 and 2011 no issues with 2008 and ML across a couple of machines. I trashed 2008 recently because I could find a reason to keep both. I prefer Neo and LibreOffice but I have Office 2011 just cause.

Think you need to follow wiping prefs and or wiping prefs and reinstalling more likely. Bad prefs for doing this is very common with MS office.

01-28-2013, 09:18 PM	#1
Givedark Triple-A Player Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 86	Word won't open Word (2008) will no longer open. No matter what method I use to open the program, nothing happens. The tiny blue light under the icon comes on for a fraction of a second, and then just goes out again. The program was working fine until I quit the application (using file quit)- now it just refuses to open. No errors or warnings. I tried removing all of the microsoft files in user-> library, but since that did not work I returned them After looking around I thought it might be a problem with Mountain Lions resume feature; however, I can not turn it off. The forums claim that there is a box to turn this off in preferences-> general, but there is no such option. How can I turn off auto resume (it's a dumb feature, I want it off regardless of the Word problem), and are there any other ideas for why this might refuse to open?

01-29-2013, 10:40 AM	#7
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,549	There are many reports on the Microsoft forums about an inability to run Word 2008 under Mountain Lion. (There are also people reporting that it works, so whatever the issue is, it's common but apparently not universal.) I've never seen any good explanation of the problem, nor any good solution to the problem. The most common advice is to upgrade to Word 2011. Sorry for what is essentially a non-answer. Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way

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01-28-2013, 09:31 PM	#2
NaOH Hall of Famer Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,641	1. Try restarting your Mac then see if Word will launch. 2. In System Preferences > General, the resume feature is titled Restore Windows When Quitting And Re-opening Apps.

01-28-2013, 09:34 PM	#3
anthlover Hall of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2,657	You might have to trash all office prefs, failing that reinstall it after trashing all prefs and reinstalling it. The office prefs are the most likely culprit. We can post the trashing directions if the prior suggestion does not resolve it.

01-28-2013, 09:47 PM	#4
Givedark Triple-A Player Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 86	NaOH, Restarting didn't work. That option in system pref is not there http://postimage.org/image/bqae5fard/ anthlover, what else should I trash besides the com.microsoft files and the "Microsoft" folder in user-library-preferences folder?

01-28-2013, 09:58 PM	#5
Givedark Triple-A Player Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 86	If it's any help, console gives me this error if I try to start Word: 1/28/13 10:56:16.199 PM com.apple.launchd.peruser.503[206]: ([0x0-0x7d07d].com.microsoft.Word[565]) Job appears to have crashed: Trace/BPT trap: 5

01-28-2013, 10:39 PM	#6
anthlover Hall of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2,657	Here is the removal instructions from MS. You can skip to step 3 I believe if want to whack away at prefs first. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2500821 On a side note Also you can do a quick test a do a safe boot, restart with shift key held down and see if word starts. Similarly you can create a new users and see if the problem persists under the other user. I would start with trashing the prefs. If you have the installer handy you then I would do the full monty from step1. In the mean time do not forget about libreoffcie and neoffice but of which are very good.

01-29-2013, 07:43 PM	#8
anthlover Hall of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2,657	I have 2008 and 2011 no issues with 2008 and ML across a couple of machines. I trashed 2008 recently because I could find a reason to keep both. I prefer Neo and LibreOffice but I have Office 2011 just cause. Think you need to follow wiping prefs and or wiping prefs and reinstalling more likely. Bad prefs for doing this is very common with MS office.