Greyed out menu items

saint48 · 11-22-2008, 09:42 PM

About a week ago, all Office 2003 programs, Word, Outlook, Excel, etc., have had virtually all menu selections go grey (non functional). I have reinstalled it twice plus numerous Detect and Repairs with no change. Prior to this time, everything was working fine. Now, I can't alter or save or sent etc. It's all grey to me. I have spent several days on this now and have hit a brick wall. Why oh why? I have done Google and Microsoft searches on the problem but there were no solid clues as to why this happened nor directions to undo it. If this is a puzzzle of some sort, I give up. Does anyone have the solution?
Thanks
Saint48

**gistek** · 11-23-2008, 03:07 PM

I've had that happen on one or two items or item groups, but never on "all" at once. Usually it's due to a setting that was changed somewhere in options, customize, tools, or similar utilities.

Since you've tried repairs and reinstalls, it's probably not an applet.

Did you check your OS settings? Particularly the ones associated with accessibility.

Also, how is your available RAM and HD space? MS apps can do funny things when those numbers get low. Some also don't like fragmentation, so cleaning up the disk and defragging can help.

Plus, you never know what's biting on the internet now-a-days. Running full anti-spyware and anti-virus scans might be in order.

saint48 · 11-26-2008, 11:23 PM

Thanks for your reply. I haven't solved it yet but will continue trying. I think the problem is with some initial setting made when the program was installed. However, I've used this same problem for several years with no problem. I recently re installed my entire system and had to do the same with Office 2003. It's difficult to say whether the time saved by using computers equals time spent in maintaining their operation. Thanks again, I'll let you know when (doesn't that sound hopeful) I've figured it out.

11-22-2008, 09:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
saint48 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP Service Pack 3	Greyed out menu items About a week ago, all Office 2003 programs, Word, Outlook, Excel, etc., have had virtually all menu selections go grey (non functional). I have reinstalled it twice plus numerous Detect and Repairs with no change. Prior to this time, everything was working fine. Now, I can't alter or save or sent etc. It's all grey to me. I have spent several days on this now and have hit a brick wall. Why oh why? I have done Google and Microsoft searches on the problem but there were no solid clues as to why this happened nor directions to undo it. If this is a puzzzle of some sort, I give up. Does anyone have the solution? Thanks Saint48

11-23-2008, 03:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
gistek Folding Along Join Date: May 2007 Location: PA, USA Posts: 1,904 OS: Bobbi=xp, sp3 Muse=Vista Home Premium	Re: Greyed out menu items I've had that happen on one or two items or item groups, but never on "all" at once. Usually it's due to a setting that was changed somewhere in options, customize, tools, or similar utilities. Since you've tried repairs and reinstalls, it's probably not an applet. Did you check your OS settings? Particularly the ones associated with accessibility. Also, how is your available RAM and HD space? MS apps can do funny things when those numbers get low. Some also don't like fragmentation, so cleaning up the disk and defragging can help. Plus, you never know what's biting on the internet now-a-days. Running full anti-spyware and anti-virus scans might be in order. __________________ I am not a computer professional, My advice comes from personal experience and/or friends who are computer professionals. Learn By Doing Un-versity Interested in Search and Rescue? Check out the Civil Air Patrol. Come Fold with us. TSF Folding@Home Team

11-26-2008, 11:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
saint48 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP Service Pack 3	Re: Greyed out menu items Thanks for your reply. I haven't solved it yet but will continue trying. I think the problem is with some initial setting made when the program was installed. However, I've used this same problem for several years with no problem. I recently re installed my entire system and had to do the same with Office 2003. It's difficult to say whether the time saved by using computers equals time spent in maintaining their operation. Thanks again, I'll let you know when (doesn't that sound hopeful) I've figured it out.