Microsoft KB Archive/236394

Knowledge Base

WD97: Proofing Tools Do Not Function As Expected

Article ID: 236394

Article Last Modified on 1/24/2007

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Word 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q236394

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

You may experience the following problems with the proofing tools in Microsoft Word 97:

• The thesaurus does not suggest any synonyms for any words.
  

-or-

• Word stops responding (hangs) after you try to use the spelling checker.

-or-

You may receive the following error message:

This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. If the problem persists, contact the program vendor.

If you click Details, you receive an error message similar to the following:

WINWORD caused an invalid page fault in module MSSP232.DLL at 0137:307effe8

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
To resolve these problems, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Delete Proofing Tools Registry Key and Proofing Tools Folder, Run Office Setup to Reinstall

1. Close all running programs, including the Office Shortcut Bar, and turn off any antivirus software.
2. Click Start and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type regedit and then click OK.
4. Locate the following registry key:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Proofing Tools

5. Select the folder Proofing Tools.
6. On the Edit menu, click Delete.
7. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
8. Close the Registry Editor.
9. Right-click Start and then click Explore.
10. Locate the following folder:

    C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared

11. Back up any files with a .dic extension before performing the next step. Select the Proof folder. On the File menu, click Delete.
12. Close Windows Explorer.
13. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
14. In Control Panel, double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
15. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click Microsoft Office 97.
    
    If you are using a stand-alone version of one of the Office programs, click the appropriate product in the list. Then click Add/Remove.
    
    NOTE: For Microsoft Windows 2000, follow these steps:
    1. In the Add/Remove Programs window, click Change/Remove Programs.
    2. In the list of installed programs, click Microsoft Office 97 and then click Remove.
16. When the Maintenance Mode screen appears, click Reinstall.

This procedure repeats the last installation to restore missing files and settings. You then need to reapply the SR-1 or SR-2 update.

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

172475 OFF97: How to Obtain and Install MS Office 97 SR-1

151261 OFF97: How to Obtain and Install MS Office 97 SR-2

Method 2: Modify the Registry to Change the Value of the Thesaurus in the Data Key

1. Quit all programs.
2. Click Start and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type regedit and then click OK.
4. Locate the following registry key:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Proofing Tools\Thesaurus \1033\Normal

5. Double-click Dictionary and then change the value from msth_am.lex to msthbus.lex.

Additional query words: dictionary thesaurus spell check spellcheck no words wd97 hang response

Keywords: kbprb KB236394

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