Office 2008 12.1.1 (#2): problems updating -- fixes; double-clicking does not open documents
Many users are unable to install this update.
Problems updating -- fixes Many users are experiencing difficulty in installing the Office 2008 12.1.1 update. In most cases of failure, the following error message is displayed:
"You cannot install Office 2008 12.1.1 Update on this volume. A version of the software required to install this update was not found on this volume."
A few sample reports:
- "I "have Office 2008 version 12.1.0 installed on my Mac running OS X 10.5.3 and have been unable to update it to version 12.1.1. It downloads the update fine, but when I try to install I get a message saying "You can not install 12.1.1 update on this volume."
- "I have tried to install this update 5 times and each time I get the same problem."
Note that Microsoft Office 2008 Service Pack 1 (12.1) must be installed before 12.1.1 can be applied.
The first, and simplest potential fix to try in the case of a failed 12.1.1 installation: manually download the standalone update then drag the update installer from the disk image to the desktop.
Failing that, move on to this more tedious procedure:
- Quit all Microsoft applications
- Drag the Microsoft Office 2008 folder to the Trash and empty the trash
- Reinstall Office 2008 from your original installation media.
- Apply Service Pack 1
- Restart
- Run the 12.1.1 updater with no applications running
Double-clicking documents does not open them An issue extant in prior iterations of Office 2008 wherein double-clicking documents does not result in the expected behavior (opening) appears to persist in version 12.1.1.
MacFixIt reader Jim Bower writes:
"There was a bug whereby a Word document created in earlier versions of Word for Windows would not open up when double clicked in the Finder. You could open the document from an Open dialog box in Word OK. Microsoft was aware of this problem when I spoke to their technician last week. The technician indicated they were working on a fix and it would be available soon. I presume the just released version 12.1.1 would be that fix. Not so. The bug persists."
Our previous analysis revealed that Office 2008 12.1 is not able to fully recognize some type/creator combinations generated by specific email clients or older versions of Office applications.
One alternative is to use a utility like FileXaminer to batch change all documents to "null" file types in the interim, though we don't recommend that procedure.
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
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