Sorry, I was away...
Starting in safe mode worked for both by using the control button and not
using the control button when starting word. I do not know if this means
anything but he last file that was loading in safemode with a please wait
prompt and the bottom of the screen was driver (crc.disk.sys) before loading
to desktop safemode.
OK then I think you need to take this to a Windows forum or newsgroup.
Apparently, something is loading into Windows that's interfering. Possibly
there's a tool that's using Word for something, this is generating a dialog
box that't not being dismissed. The Windows specialists can help you find out
what's loading and show you how to lock those things out, one-by-one, until you
track down the culprit.
Be sure to explain the problem and that starting Windows in Safe Mode "fixes"
the problem (for the duration of the session). And mention the version of
Windows you're using as well as if you are logged in as an administrator (or
whether you can log in as an administrator).
Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 17 2005)
http://www.word.mvps.org
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