WD: Word for the Power Macintosh Fails to Start

• Microsoft Word for the Power Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
• Microsoft Office for the Macintosh, version 4.2.1

SYMPTOMS

When you try to start the Power Macintosh version of Word after starting from the System compact disc or Disk Tools disk, one of the following occurs:

• Word begins to start, and it then quits suddenly before the splash screen appears. There are no error messages. More specifically, the animated rectangles (commonly referred to as "zoom rects") zoom outward and then immediately zoom back in.

      -or-
  

• Word produces one of the following two error messages:

        The application "Microsoft Word" could not be opened because
        "Microsoft_OLE2" could not be found.
  

         -or-
  

        The application "Microsoft Word" could not be opened because
        "MicrosoftDialogLib" could not be found.
  

CAUSE

This behavior may be caused by general system problems. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q122195
   TITLE     : Troubleshooting Macintosh System Errors That Occur in
               MacWord

Case 1: The OLE Files Are Missing from the Path

When Word for the Power Macintosh starts, it looks for OLE files in the Extensions folder of the active System Folder. Since you did not start the computer with the same System that was running when you installed Word, these files are missing and Word cannot start. This situation does not apply to the 68K version of Word because this version of Word can start without OLE.

Case 2: Insufficient Memory

On a Power Macintosh with only 8 megabytes (MB) of memory, virtual memory must be turned on in order to run Word. Because the Memory Control Panel is not present in the System Folder of the Macintosh System compact disc, Word cannot start.

Due to the new memory model, applications optimized for the Power Macintosh (such as Word) take up more memory when virtual memory is disabled. This is because when virtual memory is active, the system automatically loads some components which it normally loads only on demand.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Since you cannot run Word on a Power Macintosh with only 8 MB of memory after booting from the System CD, we recommend that you make clean system installation for testing purposes. To do this, press COMMAND+SHIFT+K in the System 7.5 Installation dialog box, and click Install New System Folder in the dialog box that appears.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q127033
   TITLE     : How to Do a Clean Installation of System 7.5

Case 3: Inadequate System Resources

In most cases, Word for the Power Macintosh will not start if you boot from a Disk Tools disk, no matter how much built-in memory is available. This is because the System File on the Disk Tools disk has a minimum set of resources; the resources necessary to run the Power Macintosh version of Word are often absent.

WORKAROUND

To check for a damaged system for Word for the Power Macintosh, follow these steps:

1. Copy the following required OLE files from the Extensions Folder to the folder containing the Microsoft Word program.

         Microsoft Dialog Library
         Microsoft OLE Library
   

   NOTE: This places the files in the search path because Word also searches the program folder. Therefore, Word can start even when a different System is active. Once you are finished troubleshooting, delete the extra OLE files from the program folder so that the files don't take up extra space and don't interfere with the normal search path.

2. Start (boot) the Power Macintosh using the Macintosh System CD.

   If you have System CD version 1.0, insert the CD at startup.

   If you have System CD version 2.0, with the CD inserted in the drive, start the computer while holding down the C key on the keyboard.

   An alternate method of restarting with any Macintosh System CD is to place the CD in the CD-ROM drive, choose Restart from the Special menu, and press and hold COMMAND+OPTION+SHIFT+DEL while the computer restarts. Then, let go of the keys when the Happy Macintosh icon appears; otherwise, if you continue to hold the keys down, the hard drive will not mount and you will need to restart.

3. Start Word.

       - If the problem persists with Word after starting the computer this
         way, you can conclude that something is wrong with Word and not with
         the System or Finder file on the hard disk. In this case, you should
         remove and reinstall Word.
   

       - If Word behaves normally, you can conclude that your System or
         Finder file on the hard disk is damaged. In this case, you must
         reinstall your Macintosh system software. For assistance, check your
         Apple Macintosh manual, or contact Apple technical support.
   

         NOTE: It's always a good idea to back up your hard disk before you
         reinstall the Macintosh system software.
   

MORE INFORMATION

Restarting with a System from an alternate source is a common method for troubleshooting Word problems.

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q120099
   TITLE     : Booting a Power Macintosh from the System CD

   ARTICLE-ID: Q127033
   TITLE     : How to do a Clean Installation of System 7.5

  Microsoft Dialog Library
  Microsoft OLE Extension
  Microsoft OLE Library