October 27, 2008

Rewrite for MS Word Visual Basic Error Message

My re-write of a dense error message to improve rapid comprehension.

= Original Message =
[file://C:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\OFFICE\Alerts\WatsonAlertHelp.htm]

This error is usually due to insufficient memory or low disk space. It also occurs when the default Word template ('normal.dot') is corrupt, the 'VBE6.DLL' file is the wrong version, or permissions to the Temp folder on a server share do not allow access to the folder by the user.

Low memory or disk space can be solved by either closing unused applications, de-installing unused programs or files from the hard drive, or by adding RAM or a larger hard drive. In some cases, a memory leak may have been encountered and is consuming RAM without your knowledge. If you suspect a memory leak is the problem, shut down Word and VBA and restart the computer.

Rename the normal.dot file and restart Microsoft Office Word. When you exit Word, Word will rebuild a new normal.dot file. If you have a backup of the normal.dot, you can replace the defective one with the backup copy instead of having Word repair the file.

If the VBE6.DLL is not the correct version, replace it.

If the network permissions are inadequate for access to a TEMP folder on a server share, consult the administrator and determine if the permissions can be changed. Otherwise, redirect VB to use a local Temp folder.

[link:
http://watson.microsoft.com/dw/errormessages.asp?
ProductName=Office11&EventSource=OfficeErrorMessages&EventID=10094
&Language=1033&productBuild=11.0.5525.0]

------------------------------
= My Rewrite =

"The Visual Basic environment could not be initialized."

"This error is [often] due to insufficient [system] memory, or low disk space.
[The error can also occur] _when the default Word template (normal.dot) is corrupt_,
[or] _the 'VBE6.DLL' file is the wrong version_,
or [, if the "Temporary" folder used by MS Word resides on a shared server,] _permissions to the 'Temp' folder do not allow access [to the current user]_.

Remedies / Potential Fixes:
1)
Low memory or disk space can be solved by either closing unused applications, de-installing unused programs or files from the hard drive, or by adding RAM or a larger hard drive. In some cases, a memory leak may have been encountered and is consuming RAM without your knowledge. If you suspect a memory leak is the problem, shut down Word and VBA and restart the computer.

2a)
Rename the 'normal.dot' file and restart Microsoft Office Word. This file is located at "C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates".
After you restart and exit Word, Word will rebuild a new 'normal.dot' file.
2b)
If you have a backup of the 'normal.dot' template file, [instead of having Word repair the file,] you can replace the current (defective) file with the backup copy.

3)
If the VBE6.DLL is not the correct version, replace it.[*]

4)
If the network permissions are inadequate for access to a TEMP folder on a server share, consult the administrator and determine if the permissions can be changed. Otherwise, redirect Visual Basic (VB) to use a _local_ Temp folder.**

Link: [More help fixing this error is available online]
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* (I can't rewrite this point because there is no info offered on what constitutes "correct", how you would replace it, et cetera.)
** No idea how this would be done...

1 comment:

  1. For the URL you mention, you may want to try this redirec that used to be on the "watson.microsoft" site:

    http://oca.microsoft.com/resredir.asp?SID=NNN

    where NNN is some code (whatever SID is).

    ReplyDelete

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