!i am having some extremely frustrating problems with word. When it opens it says" cannot open existing (normal.dot)"... :? Word opens still, but when I try to open a word doc that I made, it says it "needs a converter to display the file." Then I click ok to install it and basically nothing happens, it doesn't repsond. I try to uninstall Office to reinstall it, and it says "Error 2203- internal error WINDOWS\installer\12508d.ipi -*series of numbers* Contact your IT department for help"

I did some research on how to solve the problem with the normal.dot template, tried some things, but I still can't do anything. Anyone have some help for me? I tried the regedit too, nothing yet, I need this program to work!

You didn't happen to install this version, did you?

No, but maybe I'd have better luck with that version.

I have 2003 Professional Edition

old school.


Perhaps try reinstalling the application

I tried reinstalling but it fails every time. I click on 'remove', it says "gathering information" and I wait for about 1 1/2 minutes and it gives me the error message, and does not complete uninstalling. I even tried the "repair problems' feature in add/remove programs, same error message.

Easy fix.....

Find and delete "normal.dot"..... it'* probably hidden... so be sure to click "view all files" in folder options.

That should fix it.

That'* what one of my friends told me too, I searched and couldn't find it. I'll try that again.

You could try reinstalling. Most MS products have a "repair install" where it looks for missing/corrupt files and replaces them.

already tried that..gives me the error. cannot uninstall, said there was a fatal error during installation...

I deleted normal.dot....but it still does not work!!! Is it a problem with the registry keys!? Normal.dot is gone, but I open word, it opens fast now, but when I try to open a .doc file, nothing happens for at leats 30 seconds, then it says "Word needs a converter to display this file correctly. this feature is not installed, would you like to install it now?" I click yes, then the program does not respond and I have to 'End Now." This is so damn frustrating. It'* the same problem I've been having.