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General discussion

Word 97 SR-2 is making all my files "read only", why?

May 8, 2005 1:07AM PDT

My attempts at adding text to my Word 97 files is being thwarted by a mysterious and elusive macro, or some other equally deleterious force.

I have not protected any files, or requested "read only" from the "file menu> save as> options > read only" route. I didn't even know what a "read only" file was until confronted with this diabolical dialogue box telling me: "Sorry, this is a "read only" file", which forces me to re-save the file by re-naming it!

I am using MS Office 97 Pro with the above version of Word. I only recently upgraded from Office 95 Standard. Then, apparently, I must have "updated" the program at Microsoft; thus, the "SR-2"(my recollection's fuzzy on this point...).

Any suggestions on where I've gone wrong, or homeopathic remedies, life style changes, religious rituals, and such, which I might engage in to alleviate, or resolve, this pernicious little problem? I am willing to follow any advice with promise, at this point, and thank you, kindly, for any you can spare.

P-4 3.0 HT; 512 DDR Ram; Intel Mobo, 800 FSB, onboard audio/video; XP; DSL; Standard peripherals, 60 and 90 gig Hitachi HD's, 7200 rpm; 300 watt ps;[Adaware 6.0, Pest Control, Hijack This, MS anti-spyware, etc.; AVG a-virus; Zone Alarm Free firewall...hmmm, that's about it, I think. Oh, it's a "My Workbench Brand" P.C.

Thanks! -yawni-

Discussion is locked

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Actually a known bug with Office 97 on Windows XP.
May 8, 2005 1:19AM PDT

Microsoft has no plans to fix this.

Bob

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Options
May 8, 2005 10:09AM PDT

Hey, Bob:

Thanks.

So, I take it that my options are 1.) to file a "cost- ineffective" lawsuit for breach of warranty (fitness of purpose/ merchantibility) in a small claims court in California- seeking recovery of my $100 outlay for the XP operating system; 2.) Do nothing/live with it; 3.) Upgrade to a more current Microsoft Office product; or 4.)Purchase a Word Perfect suite?

Thanks for the quick answer, Bob.

Any inside info on best MS Office product, other quirks? I guess that this is the route I'll take when I get thoroughly bugged...

Was this bug mentioned in the XP release notes, by any chance? Just curious.

Thanks, again.

-yawni-

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Knock yourself out.
May 8, 2005 10:13PM PDT

There are some that wail at this, but workarounds might work or may not.

1. Try the compatibility tab on the shortcut that launches Word. Try Windows 95, 98, NT?

2. Start Word then open the file.

3. I use Open Office and do not have any issue plus I can open Office 2003 documents which Office 97 can't do.

http://www.openoffice.org - "It's what I use."

Bob

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Re: "Read Only" XP file limitation
May 11, 2005 5:39PM PDT

Thanks for the info, Bob.

I checked out and bookmarked Openoffice for ref; particularly, if I need to open a 2003 doc.

As a lawyer, I'm dependant upon the "legal pleading" form (wizard) available (with some effort) from Microsoft. The main feature is providing numbered lines in the left margin with 2 vertical lines separating the text on the left and one on the right.
My MS version has never been able to match the numbers exactly to the corresponding line.

Someday, I'd like to find a forum (or start one myself) which sorts out word processing issues plaguing those working in legal fields. Then, of course, maybe, Mr. Gates has reconciled, somewhat, with the legal profession and resolved most of the "oversights" frustrating the legal community in earlier Microsoft programs.

On the "read only" issue: I am committed to XP because of the "resource limitation" inherent in Win98SE. Regarding your other suggestions: I do not suffer the same automatic "read only" protection popping up upon opening any other Word (.doc) files than my own catch-all "telephoneX.doc" files which are an accumulation of telephone numbers and notes, which, now, contain macros introduced, possibly, from internet downloads, or copies...which prompts the dialogue box at startup (or opening of the file) asking if I wish to disable the macros. I check yes but don't see, or understand, any connection to converting (or subverting) the file to "read only"!

Nonetheless, I shall persevere!

Thanks, again.

yawni

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Stay tuned. Legal Pleading in OO.
May 11, 2005 10:01PM PDT

It's a safe bet that it will be added or someone has the template/macro already.

Bob

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Re: New Problems Posted
May 18, 2005 4:16AM PDT

Hey, thanks, I'll keep an eye out for the pleading template.

I was just starting to feel comfortable working around this ''read only'' problem, pursuant to some sugggestions, here, when ''BAM''... ANOTHER serious problem seems to have materialized in my 97 Word application!

Since it appears unrelated, I'm going to post a new topic: ''Word 97 SR-2 is generating duplicate files-Why?''

In perusing the forum (Bob) I did notice another similar problem posted by another member and I'm beginning to wonder if all these issues are related

Anyway, I wanted to close this thread and thank you all for your assistance to date. (I would embed a link if I knew how to do it..)

Thanks.

-yawni-

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Yah. It's another Word 97 and Windows XP anomaly.
May 18, 2005 5:14AM PDT

You might not have it running as a NT/95/98 compatible application and then again? I never found out if you did this.

I'm unsure if you understand that Word 97 is not stable under Windows XP. There are many that keep trying, but it is broken with no plans to fix.

Bob

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change from read only
May 8, 2005 4:37PM PDT

I suppose you know how to remove the read only status?

Open explorer > find file > right click select properties > unclick read only sometimes you have to change this for the container folder before it works.

In XP with a lot of programs you can actually do the above in the "Save as" window. Once again right click on the file > select properties > uncheck "read only" > save file.

Sure the above isn't as good as an autosave maybe but it's something.

later

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Re: Related Problems Possibly Pressing
May 18, 2005 4:34AM PDT

Yes, thanks.

I was able to work around the problem doing something similar to what you suggested. Unfortunately, I can't post the formula because I'm not sure what I did. [If someone else ever replies to this thread for assistance, I'll make the effort to back track...]

Anyway, just when I thought I had this application under control another problem popped up! Since I'm not sure if it's related I'm posting a new topic: ''Word 97 SR-2 duplicating files-why?''[strange, abnormal, and unfamiliar features...]

Wanted to close this thread and thank you...

yawni