Documents slow to open in MS Word 2002

[Debbie17]

I have 3 questions.

1. It takes 30 seconds for documents to open in my MS Word 2002. However, if I keep 1 document open the whole time I am working in Word, then it takes 30 seconds for that initial document to be opened and 5 to 10 seconds for any other documents to open. This is still too slow. Based on the fact that keeping one document open helps speed up the process of opening other documents, does anyone know what might be causing this problem?

2. Detect and repair does not work. I get the error message: "Error 1919. Error configuring ODBC data source: MS Access Database, ODBC error 6: Component not found in registry. Verify that the file MS Access Database exists and that you can access it." Does this have anything to do with documents opening slowly, and how do I correct the problem? Additional information: Service pack 2 did not correct this problem, and I did uninstall Word Perfect when I reformatted my hard drive.

3. My normal.dot keeps automatically creating a shortcut to itself. I delete the shortcut and another is created when I open Word. Is this what should happen?

[PC_LOAD_LETTER]

fix for #2:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324628

as for #1, you mentioned SP2 (im assuming office 2002 SP2) if so you shouls apply Office 2002 SP3

[Debbie17]

Thank you for responding. Unfortunately, I do have SP3 installed, and I also have MDAC 2.8 SP1 installed on my computer via SP2. None of this has helped. Any more ideas?

[AO3]

Do you have any network printers installed? What OS are you using? CPU speed Memory?

Edited May 5, 2008 by AO3

[Debbie17]

No network printers. I have Windows XP Home Edition and 2 gig of memory.

An additional piece of information is that when I use the A switch, MS Word opens quickly.

[DarrenCarr]

Do you have any incorrect drive mappings to shares that no longer exist?

[Debbie17]

Sorry, I don't know what it means to have incorrect drive mappings to shares that no longer exist.

[PC_LOAD_LETTER]

i missed your comment about the /a switch earlier

based on that behavior i would try renaming/deleting this file: (word will recreate it)

C:\Documents and Settings\user name\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dot (might have to turn on hidden files/folders to get there)

if that doesnt work try cleaning out this folder:

C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\Startup

those are the 2 most likely culprits IMO but you can try the other things that are bypassed when the /a switch is used:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/826857