INFO: Corrupt Normal.dot Causes Errors When Automating Word

ID: Q247028

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word 2000
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
  • Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0

SUMMARY

One or more invalid Normal.dot template files may cause an out-of-process automation client to throw one of the following errors:

HRESULT: 0x8001010A
VB Error: -2147417846
"The message filter indicated that the application is busy"


HRESULT: 0x800A175D
VB Error: 5981
"Cannot open macro storage"


HRESULT: 0x800A142D
VB Error: 5165
"Word cannot open the existing [square]"


MORE INFORMATION

The Normal.dot template file used by Word might be corrupt. If you are encountering one of the errors described in the Summary section, you can temporarily rename the Normal.dot template to determine if it is the cause of the problem.

Renaming the Normal.dot template resets several options back to their default settings, including custom styles, custom toolbars, macros, and AutoText entries. It is strongly recommended that you rename the Normal.dot file rather than deleting it, so that you can restore these settings if the template is not corrupt.

Certain installations of Word may yield more than one legitimate Normal.dot file. These situations include multiple versions of Word running on the same computer or several user profiles on the same computer. In these situations, pay special attention so that you rename the correct copy of Normal.dot.

To rename the Normal.dot file follow these steps:

  1. Quit all instances of Word, including WordMail.


  2. On the Windows taskbar, click Start, point to Find, and click Files or Folders.


  3. In the Named box, type Normal.dot.


  4. In the Look In box, select your local hard disk drive (or an alternate user template location if you are running Word from a network server).


  5. Click Find Now to search for the file.


  6. For each occurrence of Normal.dot that appears in the Find dialog box, right-click the file. Click Rename on the shortcut menu. Give the file a new name, such as OldNormal.dot or Normal-1.dot.


  7. Minimize the find dialog box.


  8. Restart your automation client to start Word.



If Word starts correctly, you have resolved the problem. In this case the problem is a damaged Normal.dot template. You may need to change a few settings to restore your favorite options. If the Normal.dot file you renamed contains customizations, such as styles, macros, or AutoText entries that cannot be easily recreated, you may be able to copy those customizations from the old Normal.dot file to the new Normal.dot file by using the organizer.

For more information about using the organizer do the following:
  1. Click Office Assistant.


  2. Type Using the Organizer.


  3. Click Search.


  4. Click Use Settings from Another Document or Template.



If your toolbar customizations are stored in a custom toolbar, you should be able to copy them using the Organizer. Unfortunately, if the customizations were made to one of Word's built-in toolbars you may need to recreate them after you rename your template since you cannot copy those changes with the Organizer.


REFERENCES

For additional information about the error messages, please click the article number(s) below to view the article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q163053 Errors Starting the Visual Basic Editor
Q173547 Error Msg: "Word Cannot Open the Document"
Q185165 Errors Initializing Visual Basic Editor
Q189439 Word Fails to Open "Cannot Open The Existing [Square]"
Q224338 Error 800A175D "Could Not Open Macro Storage"
Q246018 BUG: Automation Error 8001010A when Automating Word 2000
(c) Microsoft Corporation 1999, All Rights Reserved. Contributions by Chris Jensen, Microsoft Corporation.

Additional query words: 8001010A 800A175D 800A142D 0x8001010A 0x800A175D 0x800A142D

Keywords : kbAutomation kbVS600 kbWord kbGrpDSO kbDSupport
Version : WINDOWS:2000,6.0,7.0,7.0a,97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbinfo


Last Reviewed: December 17, 1999
© 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.