WORD 2003 will not start

CluelessDad · 02-02-2009, 03:44 PM

When I open Word (from icon or run) I get the following message

"Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."

I have tried to run safe mode e.g. winword /a. I have also run the detect error and correct from the ADD/REMOVE file area. And I have re-installed MicroSoft Office 2003.

Excel, Powerpoint, and outlook open with no issue.

Thank you

azmak · 02-03-2009, 08:12 AM

have you tried to delete normal.dot file if not search for this file and delete it and then check.
you have not mentioned when you tried to open winword /a what hapnd. did word worked fine in that mode.
which antivirus software you have on your system.
have you tried to open word in windows safe mode and checke.d

CluelessDad · 02-03-2009, 08:46 PM

Normal.dot file is not on the computer. When I tried to open in winword /a mode I got the same error message

"Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."

I have Avast Antivirus

I did start Windows up in SAFE mode. WORD does start when Windows is in SAFE mode. I then restarted windows in normal mode and WORD returned the same error message.

azmak · 02-04-2009, 09:45 AM

click start=> my computer => c: drive => programs => microsoft office => office 11 => check if you have winword.exe file.
try to run that file and see if you get any error message.

CluelessDad · 03-05-2009, 05:36 AM

Winword.exe was present. Word did start when XP was in Safe mode. Also started sometimes by clicking on a word document file.

Finally gave up and reformated - reinstalled everything.

Working now.

02-02-2009, 03:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
CluelessDad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP, service pack 3	WORD 2003 will not start When I open Word (from icon or run) I get the following message "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item." I have tried to run safe mode e.g. winword /a. I have also run the detect error and correct from the ADD/REMOVE file area. And I have re-installed MicroSoft Office 2003. Excel, Powerpoint, and outlook open with no issue. Thank you

02-03-2009, 08:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
azmak Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 215 OS: XP / VISTA / Win 7	Re: WORD 2003 will not start have you tried to delete normal.dot file if not search for this file and delete it and then check. you have not mentioned when you tried to open winword /a what hapnd. did word worked fine in that mode. which antivirus software you have on your system. have you tried to open word in windows safe mode and checke.d

02-03-2009, 08:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
CluelessDad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP, service pack 3	Re: WORD 2003 will not start Normal.dot file is not on the computer. When I tried to open in winword /a mode I got the same error message "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item." I have Avast Antivirus I did start Windows up in SAFE mode. WORD does start when Windows is in SAFE mode. I then restarted windows in normal mode and WORD returned the same error message.

02-04-2009, 09:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
azmak Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 215 OS: XP / VISTA / Win 7	Re: WORD 2003 will not start click start=> my computer => c: drive => programs => microsoft office => office 11 => check if you have winword.exe file. try to run that file and see if you get any error message.

03-05-2009, 05:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
CluelessDad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP, service pack 3	Re: WORD 2003 will not start Winword.exe was present. Word did start when XP was in Safe mode. Also started sometimes by clicking on a word document file. Finally gave up and reformated - reinstalled everything. Working now.