Comments on: Slow opening MS Office files on computer http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/slow-opening-ms-office-files-on-computer/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:54:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: MacsPC http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/slow-opening-ms-office-files-on-computer/#comment-61390 MacsPC Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:19:42 +0000 #comment-61390 [I][B]SORRY[/B][/I] - I don't know WHY the FreeRAM address went everywhere - [B]it looked OK when I put it in ![/B] It's w w w. [B]yourwaresolutions . com / software . html[/B] I've removed the h t t p & w w w. & split the address to prevent the auto formatting AGAIN !!!! [I][B]THERE ARE NO SPACES[/B][/I] [I]Cheers[/I] [B[I]]- M!ke -[/I] (Macs-PC)[/B] SORRY - I don’t know WHY the FreeRAM address went everywhere - it looked OK when I put it in !

It’s w w w. yourwaresolutions . com / software . html

I’ve removed the h t t p & w w w. & split the address to prevent the auto formatting AGAIN !!!!
THERE ARE NO SPACES

Cheers
[B]- M!ke -
(Macs-PC)

]]> By: MacsPC http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/slow-opening-ms-office-files-on-computer/#comment-61388 MacsPC Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:10:44 +0000 #comment-61388 [I][B]- I've just thought of something I meant to mention - [/B][/I] Using a [I]better[/I] proggy than msconfig.exe [I]( I use a couple )[/I] to view "Auto-Start" Loaders - almost every installed software from Office / Lotus etc right down to Nero / Power DVD throw loaders in there - these are usually Pre-Bundled with new machines. [B]Switch off EVERYTHING [I]that is not essential [/I][/B]- I had to do this to so many PC's at my old place that I lost count ! BUT [B]IT WORKS !!![/B] [I]You will not only improve performance BUT you may stop the problem program clashing with your software[/I]. [B]EVEN STOP OFFICE from Auto-Loading[/B]. Remember - ALL of these programs will function 100% normally without the Auto-Loader - they install "Boot Auto-Starters" there so they have a tiny bit of Ram reserverd so they can start a little bit quicker. The problem is - usually - about 85% of the "Aauto-Loaded" softwares will not get used from one day to the next BUT they're still sitting in the memory - just awaiting that ONE TIME you might run them. [I]Reguardless of the amount of RAM you have installed[/I] - you can get a large amount back ! Personally I SWEAR BY [B]FreeRAM XP Pro[/B] [I]http://www.yourwaresolutions.com/software.html[/I] [B]A single click can empty your ram from 25Mb FREE to 300MbFREE - Running XP Pro on a 512mb RAM[/B] - this may also help you to load files faster. [I]IF you are interested in any of the softwares etc. I've mentioned - PLEASE CONTACT ME & I'll try to sort you out !!!![/I] [B]:o)[/B][B] [I]- Mike -[/I] ( Macs PC )[/B] [I]Mike.Macs_PC@NTLworld.com[/I] - I’ve just thought of something I meant to mention -

Using a better proggy than msconfig.exe ( I use a couple ) to view “Auto-Start” Loaders - almost every installed software from Office / Lotus etc right down to Nero / Power DVD throw loaders in there - these are usually Pre-Bundled with new machines. Switch off EVERYTHING that is not essential - I had to do this to so many PC’s at my old place that I lost count ! BUT IT WORKS !!! You will not only improve performance BUT you may stop the problem program clashing with your software.
EVEN STOP OFFICE from Auto-Loading. Remember - ALL of these programs will function 100% normally without the Auto-Loader - they install “Boot Auto-Starters” there so they have a tiny bit of Ram reserverd so they can start a little bit quicker. The problem is - usually - about 85% of the “Aauto-Loaded” softwares will not get used from one day to the next BUT they’re still sitting in the memory - just awaiting that ONE TIME you might run them.

Reguardless of the amount of RAM you have installed - you can get a large amount back !
Personally I SWEAR BY
FreeRAM XP Pro

[I <a href="http://www.yourwaresolutions.com/software.html" title="http://www.yourwaresolutions.com/software.html" target="_blank">http://www.yourwaresolutions.com/softwar...</a>

A single click can empty your ram from 25Mb FREE to 300MbFREE - Running XP Pro on a 512mb RAM
- this may also help you to load files faster.

IF you are interested in any of the softwares etc. I’ve mentioned - PLEASE CONTACT ME & I’ll try to sort you out !!!! :o) - Mike -
( Macs PC )
 <a href="mailto:Mike.Macs_PC@NTLworld.com" title="mailto:Mike.Macs_PC@NTLworld.com">Mike.Macs_PC at NTLworld.com</a>

]]> By: MacsPC http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/slow-opening-ms-office-files-on-computer/#comment-61387 MacsPC Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:42:20 +0000 #comment-61387 [B]Hi Folks - I have to start by saying that i'm no Office Expert[/B] - [I]I can't stand 2007 BUT that's not important.[/I] :o) Anyway - When I worked at my previous job - we had a couple of instances of this problem - due to "Roaming Profiles" & one thing we found was that one common issue was that users had excessively large personal Windows & Office profiles. [B] Check to see if your .PST files etc. are large [I]( we had a couple at 200+ mb )[/I] - which on a standard PC would be OK but on a ROAMER - it has to be downloaded to the PC for every use ![/B] [B]Does your PC start up slowly [/B]- do you put your password in & then have a delay - especially under the dialogue "Loading Your Personal Settings" -[B] if so - see how much you can back-up to CD etc & remove from roaming.[/B] [B]Also - I agree that the system is looking for hardware[/B] & timing out -[B] have you tried going into safe mode & removing all drive hardware etc & network cards & then booting up normally ?[/B] This shoud force windows to realise that not all is as it once was - [B]as it will have to re-install the hardware BUT there will be NO SIGN of the histoiric hardware !!![/B] [B]Finally I ALSO AGREE with the theory of Software Clash [/B]- This has been proved above by you switching to Safe Mode & no problems loading. Try un-installing ANY old - un-used software. Run a decent registry checking software . . . even purchased NEW - it will cost you around $200 LESS than your solution. Go into Explorer settings / File Types & Assosiate the office files with something stupid like WordPad / NotePad etc. & re-boot [I][B]( DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THEM LIKE THIS ) [/B][/I] then after the re- boot - using Explorer - "Right Click" one of your files & select "Open With" (DO NOT SELECT FROM THE CHOICES PROVIDED - but instead "Choose Program" NOW select the correct software - ie .Wrd = Word etc. BUT [B]remember to tick the "Always use this program to open this file type"[/B] [I][B]This little excersise SHOULD RESET explorer's control over what is called to open what file[/B][/I]. IF ALL ELSE FAILS -[I] IS the "Direct Shortcut" etc. problem you have - really worth $240 [/I] - even to a business - after all - how many licences will this grant you etc. I think you've done the right thing asking on this forum. The answers may not have been timely since you asked last year BUT THEY'RE ALL FREE !!! [I]I hope I've been of SOME HELP [/I] [B]:o)[/B] Cheers [B] [I]- M!ke -[/I] (Macs-PC)[/B] Hi Folks - I have to start by saying that i’m no Office Expert - I can’t stand 2007 BUT that’s not important. :o)

Anyway - When I worked at my previous job - we had a couple of instances of this problem - due to “Roaming Profiles” & one thing we found was that one common issue was that users had excessively large personal Windows & Office profiles. Check to see if your .PST files etc. are large
( we had a couple at 200+ mb ) - which on a standard PC would be OK but on a ROAMER - it has to be downloaded to the PC for every use !

Does your PC start up slowly - do you put your password in & then have a delay - especially under the dialogue “Loading Your Personal Settings” - if so - see how much you can back-up to CD etc & remove from roaming.

Also - I agree that the system is looking for hardware & timing out - have you tried going into safe mode & removing all drive hardware etc & network cards & then booting up normally ? This shoud force windows to realise that not all is as it once was - as it will have to re-install the hardware BUT there will be NO SIGN of the histoiric hardware !!!

Finally I ALSO AGREE with the theory of Software Clash - This has been proved above by you switching to Safe Mode & no problems loading. Try un-installing ANY old - un-used software. Run a decent registry checking software . . . even purchased NEW - it will cost you around $200 LESS than your solution. Go into Explorer settings / File Types & Assosiate the office files with something stupid like WordPad / NotePad etc. & re-boot ( DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THEM LIKE THIS ) then after the re- boot - using Explorer - “Right Click” one of your files & select “Open With” (DO NOT SELECT FROM THE CHOICES PROVIDED - but instead “Choose Program” NOW select the correct software - ie .Wrd = Word etc. BUT remember to tick the “Always use this program to open this file type”

This little excersise SHOULD RESET explorer’s control over what is called to open what file.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS - IS the “Direct Shortcut” etc. problem you have - really worth $240 - even to a business - after all - how many licences will this grant you etc. I think you’ve done the right thing asking on this forum. The answers may not have been timely since you asked last year BUT THEY’RE ALL FREE !!!

I hope I’ve been of SOME HELP :o)
Cheers
- M!ke -
(Macs-PC)

]]> By: Bobvonh http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/slow-opening-ms-office-files-on-computer/#comment-57624 Bobvonh Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:04:23 +0000 #comment-57624 nope, it was kodak easysharing. sorry nope, it was kodak easysharing. sorry

]]> By: Bobvonh http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/slow-opening-ms-office-files-on-computer/#comment-57623 Bobvonh Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:44:36 +0000 #comment-57623 hi, office docs was really slowly opening, but fast when I first open ie. word (xp, 2003) and then open file from word menu. problem was solved when I shut off WIFI antena ( there was no wifi connection ). hi,
office docs was really slowly opening, but fast when I first open ie. word (xp, 2003) and then open file from word menu.
problem was solved when I shut off WIFI antena ( there was no wifi connection ).

]]> By: Vfalcone74 http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/slow-opening-ms-office-files-on-computer/#comment-55711 Vfalcone74 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:38:17 +0000 #comment-55711 Today I had another guy at work look at my computer and he did 2 things which have so far resolved the issues. First, there was an XP service running called "theme...", I can't remember the whole name of it, I'll post it later if the other guy remembers. This service was also running on his computer and we verified that it is an authentic XP operation, I don't run any Windows themes anyway, so it's disabled. The other thing he did was remove some software for an Intel modem that we don't know how it got there. I don't have an Intel modem and I don't use the one I do have. We think this is the more likely cause of the issues. This was simply uninstalled using "Add or Remove Programs" from the Control Panel. As i stated above, so far all functions have returned to my computer and office files open normally again. Standby also works and links in emails open as quickly as before. Not sure why a modem software would cause these issues, but I didn't have to re-format and re-install everything. Today I had another guy at work look at my computer and he did 2 things which have so far resolved the issues. First, there was an XP service running called “theme…”, I can’t remember the whole name of it, I’ll post it later if the other guy remembers. This service was also running on his computer and we verified that it is an authentic XP operation, I don’t run any Windows themes anyway, so it’s disabled.

The other thing he did was remove some software for an Intel modem that we don’t know how it got there. I don’t have an Intel modem and I don’t use the one I do have. We think this is the more likely cause of the issues. This was simply uninstalled using “Add or Remove Programs” from the Control Panel.

As i stated above, so far all functions have returned to my computer and office files open normally again. Standby also works and links in emails open as quickly as before. Not sure why a modem software would cause these issues, but I didn’t have to re-format and re-install everything.

]]> By: Vfalcone74 http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/slow-opening-ms-office-files-on-computer/#comment-55646 Vfalcone74 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:59:48 +0000 #comment-55646 Asmt56, I didn't have good results to your response. 1. There were no files in the xlstart folder, and personal.xls does not exist anywhere on my local hard drives. 2. I removed PDFmaker functionality for Office, and that did not change the issue. I also ran "Repair" from the Adobe installation and that also did not change anything. 3. PDFmaker.xla could not be found anywhere on local hard drives. Last week, for no apparent reason, the problem went away and I was able to open files by double-clicking on them. Monday morning, after booting up (shut down over the weekend), the issue was back and I have to open from within the app again. Anything else? Thanks. Asmt56,

I didn’t have good results to your response.

1. There were no files in the xlstart folder, and personal.xls does not exist anywhere on my local hard drives.
2. I removed PDFmaker functionality for Office, and that did not change the issue. I also ran “Repair” from the Adobe installation and that also did not change anything.
3. PDFmaker.xla could not be found anywhere on local hard drives.

Last week, for no apparent reason, the problem went away and I was able to open files by double-clicking on them. Monday morning, after booting up (shut down over the weekend), the issue was back and I have to open from within the app again.

Anything else?
Thanks.

]]> By: Asmt56 http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/slow-opening-ms-office-files-on-computer/#comment-55597 Asmt56 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:13:47 +0000 #comment-55597 If you have Adobe Acrobat on your machine that may be causing the problem, especially if you upgraded from 2003 to 2007 version. I have seen several remedies for this: 1 - See if you have a personal macro workbook (Personal.xls) in the directory C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel\xlstart. Delete it and see if that works. 2 - Change the settings for Adobe PDF Maker. In the control panel click on add/remove Programs, select Adobe Acrobat Professional and click the change button. Select Modify and click Next, then expand the Create Adobe PDF section and expand the Acrobat PDFMaker section. Click the arrow next to Microsoft Office and select the last option "This feature will not be available". Click Next and Finish. (Note: this requires the installation disk) This will allow you to make PDF files from other software. 3 - Search and delete the file PDFMaker.xla in the Office directory. I have not needed to do this so I don't know which option is the best. If you have Adobe Acrobat on your machine that may be causing the problem, especially if you upgraded from 2003 to 2007 version. I have seen several remedies for this:

1 - See if you have a personal macro workbook (Personal.xls) in the directory C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel\xlstart. Delete it and see if that works.

2 - Change the settings for Adobe PDF Maker. In the control panel click on add/remove Programs, select Adobe Acrobat Professional and click the change button. Select Modify and click Next, then expand the Create Adobe PDF section and expand the Acrobat PDFMaker section. Click the arrow next to Microsoft Office and select the last option “This feature will not be available”. Click Next and Finish.
(Note: this requires the installation disk) This will allow you to make PDF files from other software.

3 - Search and delete the file PDFMaker.xla in the Office directory.

I have not needed to do this so I don’t know which option is the best.

]]> By: Vfalcone74 http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/slow-opening-ms-office-files-on-computer/#comment-55477 Vfalcone74 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:47:52 +0000 #comment-55477 I have the same issue as noted in this question. It takes 5 minutes for files to open when dbl-clicked, but no time at all when opened from within the app. It also takes about 3 minutes for internet links to open from within emails and Standby mode no longer works (click on standby and nothing happens, even overnight, and no error messages). All other shut-down modes work fine. Dell Latitude D620 Windows XP Pro 2002 SP2 Office 2000 (except Outlook) - Outlook 2003 2GB RAM What I've tried so far: checkdisk, defrag, Norton virus scan, spyware scan, full uninstall and reinstall of Office 2000, rename Office Registry entries to force recreation. Per the discussion here, I disconnected all network connections, turned off alternative input devices (I cannot find anywhere to tell me how to replace the ctfmon.exe file just in case this is corrupt), and I'm not running any add-ins on Word or Excel - Powerpoint has one, but that has been there for a year and no one else is having this trouble. Other suggestions or things I can try? I have the same issue as noted in this question. It takes 5 minutes for files to open when dbl-clicked, but no time at all when opened from within the app. It also takes about 3 minutes for internet links to open from within emails and Standby mode no longer works (click on standby and nothing happens, even overnight, and no error messages). All other shut-down modes work fine.

Dell Latitude D620
Windows XP Pro 2002 SP2
Office 2000 (except Outlook) - Outlook 2003
2GB RAM

What I’ve tried so far:
checkdisk, defrag, Norton virus scan, spyware scan, full uninstall and reinstall of Office 2000, rename Office Registry entries to force recreation.

Per the discussion here, I disconnected all network connections, turned off alternative input devices (I cannot find anywhere to tell me how to replace the ctfmon.exe file just in case this is corrupt), and I’m not running any add-ins on Word or Excel - Powerpoint has one, but that has been there for a year and no one else is having this trouble.

Other suggestions or things I can try?

]]> By: Bhans http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/slow-opening-ms-office-files-on-computer/#comment-55046 Bhans Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:11:02 +0000 #comment-55046 First let me thank everyone who has been giving me help. I was out, so I just had the opportunity to check the last few suggestions. Docutech - I pulled the network cable and the delay was cut down to 2 minutes after I opened a couple of local Office files then put the cable back in and opened me "domain" Office files. This is a great improvement, from before, but not a real improvement from opening the application first and navigating through the Open option when it opens right away. Technochic - I am not sure I understand your suggestion to open Word or Excel in safe mode. If it means opening the application some way first then navigating to the file, then it is not an improvement. I don't have the delayed openings from opening files within the applications. Schmidtw - I'm not sure what you meant by ctfmon.exe being corrupted. I turned off ctfmon.exe by turning off Advanced Text Services in the Regional And Language Options in the Control Panel. It did not seem to make any improvement beyond what doing the cable re-attachment accomplished. I then opened msconfig.exe and checked under the Start Tab, thinking that this might be a way be more sure ctfmon.exe was turned off, but it wasn't there. I figured I should turn Advanced Text Services on again since I was not 100% sure I might not need one of its other services besides Alternative User Input (which is what I thought you thought might be causing the problem) I guess I'm resigned to opening the application first, which means I can't use links or My Recent Documents. For attachments, I will just have to download them all rather that just opening them. First let me thank everyone who has been giving me help.
I was out, so I just had the opportunity to check the last few suggestions.

Docutech - I pulled the network cable and the delay was cut down to 2 minutes after I opened a couple of local Office files then put the cable back in and opened me “domain” Office files. This is a great improvement, from before, but not a real improvement from opening the application first and navigating through the Open option when it opens right away.

Technochic - I am not sure I understand your suggestion to open Word or Excel in safe mode. If it means opening the application some way first then navigating to the file, then it is not an improvement. I don’t have the delayed openings from opening files within the applications.

Schmidtw - I’m not sure what you meant by ctfmon.exe being corrupted. I turned off ctfmon.exe by turning off Advanced Text Services in the Regional And Language Options in the Control Panel. It did not seem to make any improvement beyond what doing the cable re-attachment accomplished. I then opened msconfig.exe and checked under the Start Tab, thinking that this might be a way be more sure ctfmon.exe was turned off, but it wasn’t there. I figured I should turn Advanced Text Services on again since I was not 100% sure I might not need one of its other services besides Alternative User Input (which is what I thought you thought might be causing the problem)

I guess I’m resigned to opening the application first, which means I can’t use links or My Recent Documents. For attachments, I will just have to download them all rather that just opening them.

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