GP Fault in the Find File Dialog Box in Preview View

ID: Q107504

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, version 6.0

SYMPTOMS

In Word for Windows, when you start Find File, you may receive any of the following errors:

   WINWORD caused a General Protection Fault in STORAGE.DLL

   WINWORD caused a General Protection Fault in WINWORD.EXE

   Serious Disk Error

   Segment Load Failure

CAUSE

Case 1

These errors occur if the first file that Find File tries to access is corrupt or located on a bad sector on the hard drive. In most instances, the document gives the same error if you try to open it by other methods, such as double-clicking on the filename in File Manager or by selecting the filename from Word's Open dialog box.

Case 2

A general protection (GP) fault occurs if you start Word with the /N switch (to start Word with no document) and then open the Find File dialog box while no document is open.

The GP fault does not occur if you start Word without the /N switch, if you do not switch to Preview view in the Find File dialog box, or if you open at least one document before you open the Find File dialog box.

STATUS

Case 2 has been confirmed by Microsoft to be a problem in Word for Windows. This problem was corrected in versions 6.0a and later of Word for Windows.

WORKAROUNDS

Case 1

Use the Windows File Manager to move the first document in the document directory to another directory. Be sure that File Manager is listing the files in the same order as Word's Find File, so that you can be sure of moving the first file in the list.

If you are using search criteria to build a file list, rename FILEMAN.INI (located in the Windows directory) to reset the Find File search criteria.

Restart Word and activate Find File again. Examine other directories and documents before attempting to read the suspected corrupt document.

Case 2

If you plan to use Find File, start Word without the /N switch.
-or-
When you start Word with the /N switch, open at least one document before you use Find File.

MORE INFORMATION

To obtain Word 6.0c, call the Microsoft Order Desk at (800) 360-7561 and request the Word 6.0c update. If you are outside the United States, contact your local subsidiary. To locate your subsidiary, see the Microsoft World Wide Offices Web site at:

   http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/default.htm

KBCategory: kbusage buglist6.0 fixlist6.0a KBSubcategory: Additional query words: 6.0 launch gpf winword custsales hang hung crash crashed locks locked frozen freezes crashing quit quits stopped word6 crashes bomb frozen

Version           : 6.0
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: February 5, 1998