Office97 problem: Excel hangs when I try to File>>Open

[Antoneo]

Hey guys, this problem is occuring on a Dell computer (P3 450, 256 RAM, 10 gigs HD) running Windows98 and Office97.

The Excel program itself exectutes fine. However when I try to open a file using ctrl+o or File>>Open or the Open icon on the taskbar, Excel simply hangs. It seems to be searching for something in the My Documents folder. There is only Norton Antivirus 2002 running in the background and this problem seems to have suddenly come up. I know that a workaround is to open the required excel file by finding it through explorer... but I shouldnt have to do that .

Anyone have this problem before? Any known fixes?

 

[LiLithTecH]

Try disabling Find Fast or deleting the current index(s).
If the index gets corrupted it will cause the symptoms
you are experiencing.

For a How to DISABLE FIND FAST INDEXER:
Disable Find Fast

Find Fast is also a BIG System Resource Hog.

 

[Antoneo]

Good idea LiLithTecH, I completely forgot that Office 97 had that "feature"... I'll check that out tomorrow when I go to work. Thanks

 

[Antoneo]

Doh, disabling fast find did not work (yes I followed the directions and did not just delete the shortcut) . A complete reinstallation of MS Office97 did not help either. Oh well, looks like I have to reformat. Thanks anyway guys!

 

[Pretty Cool]

Reformat your hard drive for one application? I would at least try uninstalling the Office and reinstalling it into a different directory.