UNRESOLVED - Office start-up problem

Biggins · 26-02-2010 9:14am #1

Work collogue has office installed on his machine.
Every time he starts it up now he keeps getting the following window saying office is setting itself up - yet the full application is installed already!

Then he gets the following:

I have no idea what the hell its installing but its doing it EVERY time office starts up!

From double clicking a document to actually being able to use it, it takes about ten/twenty minutes minimum.
I have tried to disable any addons but that has made no difference.
Anyone suggest anything as to whats going on?

By the way, have also ran the Office diagnostics tool and that could find nothing!

matt-dublin · 26-02-2010 10:27am

run the office install, make sure u choost options, then install all components on the computer locally.

Biggins · 26-02-2010 11:16am

matt-dublin wrote: »

Run the office install, make sure you choose options, then install all components on the computer locally.

Where is the "locally" option?
Looked everywhere - no sign of it.
I have installed everything possible that came with the disc, and put onto the hard-drive.

matt-dublin · 26-02-2010 11:43am

do a full installation (i think the options are full, recommended and custom)

Biggins · 26-02-2010 12:07pm

matt-dublin wrote: »

do a full installation (i think the options are full, recommended and custom)

Have done that a number of times - as well as repair a number of times.

I'm getting nowhere so can anyone suggest alternatives that have a spelling checker that works!
I have tried Openoffice.org and Lotus Symphony - their spelling checkers sucks big time or do not function at all and this is THEE vital component that is need to be working.

homer911 · 26-02-2010 1:06pm

Sorry, I cant see the screenshots, but is this Office 2007 or 2010?

Has he got both installed by any chance?

When I installed Office 2010 alongside Office 2007, I started getting these messages when opening Word 2007

Biggins · 26-02-2010 1:21pm

2007 installed and only 2007.

RoadKillTs · 26-02-2010 1:24pm

Hi Biggins. Does the user have any other versions of office installed on the computer?

Possible solution here

Biggins · 26-02-2010 1:56pm

RoadKillTs wrote: »

Hi Biggins. Does the user have any other versions of office installed on the computer?

Possible solution here

No, Just one version of Office. Going to try the suggested solution right now.
Let you know how I get on.

UPDATE: No joy - still at square one. Problem still persists.
Even though I have FULL ABSOLUTE admin' rights - I get the following:

IF i can get around THIS problem I might be able to apply the above suggested fix.
Even though I have FULL admin rights, its still telling me I don't have permission! WTF???

Been trying to solve this now for near two full days.

HELP!

Codpeas · 26-02-2010 3:03pm

Biggins wrote: »

Been trying to solve this now for near two full days.

HELP!

Let's see if we can get some good logs that will give us a direction to chase this in. Go to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc511506.aspx and looking at the "TCO (GIMME) logging" and "Windows Installer logging" sections for reference, enable these two types of logging.
Then clean out %TEMP% (if you can - if not then datetime will tell you the relevant bits) and then start an app, wait till all the dialogs go away, shut down app and then collect all the logs from the TEMP folder. Then you can either post them here or I will PM you my email address and will take a look as soon as I can.
Note: In the case of the Windows Installer logging I see it recommends "voicewarmupx" as the string of switches but "voicewarmup" should be sufficient (and probably quicker).

RoadKillTs · 26-02-2010 3:14pm

Did you see in the fix that the user used a tool called "security explorer" to change the key?
Cant seem to find a reliable download for it.
Strange allright.

Biggins · 26-02-2010 3:19pm

Codpeas wrote: »

Let's see if we can get some good logs that will give us a direction to chase this in. Go to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc511506.aspx .

I go that and all I get is the "Bing" search engine!

RoadKillTs wrote: »

Did you see in the fix that the user used a tool called "security explorer" to change the key?
Cant seem to find a reliable download for it.
Strange allright.

I can't find it either.

Its getting to the stage where I am going to have to wipe the complete machine to solve this bloody problem.

Codpeas · 26-02-2010 3:28pm

Biggins wrote: »

I go that and all I get is the "Bing" search engine!

Hmmm, then just go to technet.microsoft.com and search for TCOTrace - should return that page in the results.

Biggins · 26-02-2010 3:39pm

Codpeas wrote: »

Hmmm, then just go to technet.microsoft.com and search for TCOTrace - should return that page in the results.

Tried that EXACTLY (entered "technet.microsoft.com") and got kicked to Bing again with listing results - clicked them - got the bing search engine AGAIN.
...so I tried looking for the tool you then suggested and got the following:

If I click on any of the above I get kicked back to the "Bing" search engine for the fourth time!

Tried all the above in IE8 - Firefox and Chrome.

Codpeas · 26-02-2010 3:57pm

Biggins wrote: »

If I click on any of the above I get kicked back to the "Bing" search engine for the fourth time!

Tried all the above in IE8 - Firefox and Chrome.

Weird... anyway, the relevant info you want is basically:

REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Common\Debug]
"TCOTest"=dword:00000001
"TCODarwinTest"=dword:00000001
"TCOAssertInstalls"=dword:00000001
"TCOTrace"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer]
"Logging"="voicewarmup"
"Debug"=dword:00000007

Biggins · 26-02-2010 4:10pm

Codpeas wrote: »

Weird... anyway, the relevant info you want is basically:

REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Common\Debug]
"TCOTest"=dword:00000001
"TCODarwinTest"=dword:00000001
"TCOAssertInstalls"=dword:00000001
"TCOTrace"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer]
"Logging"="voicewarmup"
"Debug"=dword:00000007

Tried to check that out but only got as far as "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Common\"
There is no further subdir' "Debug"

matt-dublin · 26-02-2010 4:31pm

just uninstall all microsoft office products and reinstall IMO, getting over complicated here.

Biggins · 26-02-2010 4:37pm

matt-dublin wrote: »

just uninstall all microsoft office products and reinstall IMO, getting over complicated here.

In the process of doing just that, however if the I can't gain access to the ".pip" section in the registry, the problem might still persist (and so far it has).
I have already done 6/7 un-installs/installs/reboots of Office alone in order to try and resolve this.

Fysh · 26-02-2010 4:59pm

Biggins wrote: »

In the process of doing just that, however if the I can't gain access to the ".pip" section in the registry, the problem might still persist (and so far it has).
I have already done 6/7 un-installs/installs/reboots of Office alone in order to try and resolve this.

You could try setting the C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Office directory as writeable, then reinstall. This is where the .pip files themselves are stored, and may help resolve the issue.

Biggins · 26-02-2010 5:30pm

Fysh wrote: »

You could try setting the C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Office directory as writeable, then reinstall. This is where the .pip files themselves are stored, and may help resolve the issue.

Thanks, will try that too.

UPDATE: Sadly, that didn't help the original problem.
Managed to remove the .pip dir but didn't help the original problem which still continues.

Angus Og · 26-02-2010 5:57pm

Is Norton anti-virus on? Saw on another forum that Norton causes this problem.

Biggins · 26-02-2010 6:03pm

Angus Og wrote: »

Is Norton anti-virus on? Saw on another forum that Norton causes this problem.

No, Its not installed. Never has been.

Codpeas · 26-02-2010 6:08pm

Biggins wrote: »

Tried to check that out but only got as far as "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Common\"
There is no further subdir' "Debug"

It needs to be created. Easiest thing to do is to save the following section via notepad as a file called logging.reg:

REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Common\Debug]
"TCOTest"=dword:00000001
"TCODarwinTest"=dword:00000001
"TCOAssertInstalls"=dword:00000001
"TCOTrace"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer]
"Logging"="voicewarmup"
"Debug"=dword:00000007

Then double-click on the file to get it merged into the registry. The resultant logs from having these keys set this way should give us pointers as to why Office thinks it needs to carry out such heavy-handed ROD (Repair On Demand) operations at launch. That will then hopefully lead us to the actual problem and from there we can get a solution.

Biggins · 26-02-2010 6:52pm

Codpeas wrote: »

...double-click on the file to get it merged into the registry. The resultant logs from having these keys set this way should give us pointers as to why Office thinks it needs to carry out such heavy-handed ROD (Repair On Demand) operations at launch. That will then hopefully lead us to the actual problem and from there we can get a solution.

Done, just waiting for office to start-up again, 20 minutes waiting now...
(...and this is after from a full fresh re-install - again!)

UPDATE: ok, installed and set-up as laid out. - where do I go from here?

Ginger · 27-02-2010 8:04am

Biggins wrote: »

No, Just one version of Office. Going to try the suggested solution right now.
Let you know how I get on.

UPDATE: No joy - still at square one. Problem still persists.
Even though I have FULL ABSOLUTE admin' rights - I get the following:

IF i can get around THIS problem I might be able to apply the above suggested fix.
Even though I have FULL admin rights, its still telling me I don't have permission! WTF???

Been trying to solve this now for near two full days.

HELP!

To fix that issue follow the instructions on my blog (http://www.certsandprogs.com/2010/02/fixing-error-1402-access-denied-on.html#axzz0gimyTJ0M)

Additionally, check the MSI install log and see if its got any additional info on that

woolymammoth · 01-03-2010 9:57am

you might consider using the likes of RevoUninstaller to remove Office, then scan the PC for all leftover files/folders/reg entries. Then maybe install to a different directory, like say "c:\program files\msoffice07". Do you know if there was any version installed?

docmol · 01-03-2010 10:09am

Would you not be way faster wiping machine and reinstalling os ond office from scratch? Guaranteed fix, 2 hours max

Biggins · 01-03-2010 12:46pm

woolymammoth wrote: »

you might consider using the likes of RevoUninstaller to remove Office, then scan the PC for all leftover files/folders/reg entries. Then maybe install to a different directory, like say "c:\program files\msoffice07". Do you know if there was any version installed?

Just '07 Office for sure.

docmol wrote: »

Would you not be way faster wiping machine and reinstalling os ond office from scratch? Guaranteed fix, 2 hours max

Its looking that way to be honest. The headache is the usual one, other apps installed, data back-up, driver chasing, etc.

Codpeas · 01-03-2010 12:53pm

Biggins wrote: »

UPDATE: ok, installed and set-up as laid out. - where do I go from here?

I need to see the logs to be able to help further...

petes · 01-03-2010 1:57pm

Biggins wrote: »

Just '07 Office for sure.

Its looking that way to be honest. The headache is the usual one, other apps installed, data back-up, driver chasing, etc.

You could use something like drivermax (free) to backup the existing drivers and restore them once the install is complete.

Angus Og · 01-03-2010 2:02pm

There is a post by a guy called 'dekerser' on this page. He was missing some files. Might help.

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistaprograms/thread/669644e3-4c67-4a2e-b0d3-5bf50ec19292

skar · 01-03-2010 2:32pm

hi,
After installation complete, did you tick the box "delete installation files" (or something like that)?
I noticed that problem happens when playing with user profiles, and if installation is not full (I mean you have to check "custom install" and tick all packages to run 'em from HDD). And don't remove files used for installation after the installation(read first line). For me and other ~300 computers in my earlier job that worked. there is defferent storry if you play with user profiles (changing home derectories... etc.)

woolymammoth · 01-03-2010 10:47pm

You could argue for weeks on the whys and hows of why it's doing what it's not doing! And as curious as i would be myself to fix and know why, it's always just easier and quicker to fully remove all traces of the app & reinstall. Failing that, a clean wipe.. but I would be trying the lesser of the two evils first, to delete all traces of office, including files, folders, and registry entries.

In the event of a reinstall, something to backup the drivers, and maybe Ninite to reinstall some of your apps!

Alun · 02-03-2010 9:53am

I came across a situation like this recently. I tried completely uninstalling and reinstalling Office all to no avail. The only solution I found was to manually replace all the existing menu shorcuts with new ones pointing directly to the relevant .exe files rather than the ones that were installed by the setup. The weren't 'normal' shortcuts where you can look at the properties and see the .exe file it's referencing, there's just a greyed out reference to, e.g. 'Microsoft Word', so they must use some other mechanism instead.

OP, try and just double click normally on the various .exe files and see if it starts up normally, and if so the solution I gave will work.

Biggins · 04-03-2010 11:56am

Tried every solution possible and only one partly worked.
Creating direct links for the exe's from their original root locations for the various Office parts.
Meant I lost the standard "New office..." and "Open Office..." shortcut I had on my start Menu.
I also now still can't double click on a Word/Excel/etc document and start the corresponding app from there.
Hopefully 2010 when released for sale will solve this problem. From what I have found there is a serious amount of this problem happening and a desperately poor - non-existent really - response from Microsoft.

In the meantime I any using a little known tool called "Softmaker Office" and I have to say I have found it to be MUCH, MUCH better than office now.
Faster, more alterable, better icons (for the better Thesaurus - easy to use too!) and better size, cleaner, can save in Office formats and read from them, etc more functions...
SERIOUSLY, its worth checking out. HERE

So something good came from a fall! If this caught on, it could KILL Office dead.

Fysh · 04-03-2010 1:03pm

Biggins wrote: »

Tried every solution possible and only one partly worked.
Creating direct links for the exe's from their original root locations for the various Office parts.
Meant I lost the standard "New office..." and "Open Office..." shortcut I had on my start Menu.
I also now still can't double click on a Word/Excel/etc document and start the corresponding app from there.
Hopefully 2010 when released for sale will solve this problem. From what I have found there is a serious amount of this problem happening and a desperately poor - non-existent really - response from Microsoft.

In the meantime I any using a little known tool called "Softmaker Office" and I have to say I have found it to be MUCH, MUCH better than office now.
Faster, more alterable, better icons (for the better Thesaurus - easy to use too!) and better size, cleaner, can save in Office formats and read from them, etc more functions...
SERIOUSLY, its worth checking out. HERE

So something good came from a fall! If this caught on, it could KILL Office dead.

Did the problem persist through a reinstall of the OS?
Also, what version of the Enterprise install media are you using? I'm curious to compare it to the version I use at work...

Biggins · 04-03-2010 2:31pm

I didn't get the opportunity to reinstall the operating system as there was too much serious items/drivers/etc also installed, to warrant a complete wipe.
I'm sure however if I had of done this, it would solve the problem though.

"Enterprise install media" ? If you mean what version of office was installed and tried to be re-installed, it was the top of the range ultimate version.

Alun · 04-03-2010 3:08pm

Biggins wrote: »

Creating direct links for the exe's from their original root locations for the various Office parts.

Glad that worked.

I also now still can't double click on a Word/Excel/etc document and start the corresponding app from there.

Try right clicking on a document, selecting "Open with ..." , "Browse..." and again manually selecting the relevant .exe file for each document type.

Biggins · 04-03-2010 3:18pm

Alun wrote: »

Try right clicking on a document, selecting "Open with ..." , "Browse..." and again manually selecting the relevant .exe file for each document type.

Tried that, same fault result.
Completely removed Office now and sticking with "Softmaker Office".
Far as I can see the computer and user is much better off - so its a win that has arisen out of a loss situation ...and they get to install two other free copies of it free too - at a much cheaper price for the first copy, even better!

Office can be waved bye to.

matt-dublin · 04-03-2010 3:41pm

what other software do you have on your PC, i would say its some third party app that using someithing in the office install.

Biggins · 04-03-2010 4:14pm

matt-dublin wrote: »

what other software do you have on your PC, i would say its some third party app that using something in the office install.

Possibility however nothing else is effected in any way or shape and on the effected pc is only standard professional tools.
No games or crap of such like that might cause strange things to conflict such as dll files, drivers, etc.
Everything was running fine for a long time then Office went suddenly strangely wacko (yes, I checked any subsequent updates too).
Scanned for everything possible (multiple times) using Malwarebytes, PCTools System Doctor, Ad-aware and Microsoft Security Essentials. Negative result.
Also check the firewalls. Clean as a whistle.

Computer is now 100% fine (as before Office errors) now that Office is removed.
Quite happy now with a better (Starmaker) Office package that suits, found.
If one of the mods can change the start of the title of this thread to "Compromised found - Office start-up problem" or similar, thanks.

UNRESOLVED - Office start-up problem

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