Replies

Some more interesting comments on this subject. My thanks again to all those who contributed. Some answers to queries:

* The Word version is 2003 on both computers.
* Charles Kenyon’s point about the comparison between repairing Normal.dot and System Restore is, of course, valid. But if you have a restore point only just before the corruption occured then System Restore could be the best option – if it works. I suspect many Windows users out there are much more comfortable with SR than they are with interfering with a critically important file.
* Anyway, I have now corrected the problem by messing around with the Normal.dot file, which worked perfectly well, of course. Perhaps the next time I will try the alternative.
* My thanks again to you all. I believe the topic is exhausted now and should be closed.

Many thanks to all those that replied to my post. With respect to jscher2000’s right click menu option, I can say that I have both a Windows 7 computer and an old XP desktop. The right click menu of Windows 7 contains the “restore previous versions” selection in the list of options, which I assume means that it should restore that specific file to an earlier version. Including, possibly, the Normal.dot file. This restore option is not available in XP. My corrupt Word is, of course, on my XP computer. Perhaps I should try and correct the problem by using System Restore. I will think about this.

Marshall

I thought I was pretty clever finding my work-around, but you have topped me. I did as you suggested and moved my BCMWLCPL.CPL file to another location and – eureka, problem solved. Well done. An earlier post (JoeP) thought my problem was a corrupt .cpl file, but did not know which one. You have saved me working through all 50 of them! At the moment, I connect via a cable, but if, in future, I use the built-in Dell wireless system I will have to remember the new location of the problem .cpl file. We clearly have a problem here caused by Dell and I will try and contact them to advise them of the fault. Which will not be easy, since here in the UK they become invisible once the computer sale has been made.

My thanks again to all who contributed to this thread.

RP

My thanks again for those that responded to my problem. Since I first posted, I have tried uninstalling some junk programs with no effect (one up to you, Walt), but I have now found a work-around. My problem has been the inability to access programs from the Control Panel, the first time I try. On the second and subsequent trys I am OK and the “W.E. not responding” error does not occur. What I have found is that if I change the display designation on Control Panel from “Link” to “Menu” (right click on “Start”, select “Properties/Start Menu/ Customise and change the Contol Panel options from Link to Menu”), then I can access all the programs in “Control Panel” first time and every time. Why this is so is a complete mystery to me, but it works on my computer. If anyone has a technical explanation for this, I will be pleased to hear from you.

RP

Three responses within 24 hours of posting my first problem in the Lounge. I am very impressed and many thanks for the guys who replied, all of whom are Stateside. My intial reactions:

JoeP: I checked the Event Viewer without finding any obvious answers. I will continue to view the log immediatrely after I get my recurring problem and check it out again. Prior to your suggestion, I had not used this useful tool before. I understand all the .cpl files are stored in System 32 and when I looked there, I counted nearly 50 .cpl files listed. But it was not possible to distinguish Microsoft files from third party files; opening the “Properties” of each file did not show the owner of the file. If you can advise on how I can identify third party .cpl files, this would be most helpful.

trebor: Nice to know I am not alone. If we can exchange our Dell-installed Junkware, we might find a common feature. I have pre-installed on my computer: Dell Quickset, Dell Dock, Dell Quickset64, Cisco EAP/PEAP/LEAP modules, Power DVD DX from Cyberlink Corp and WildTangent Games. All these programs are listed in the “Uninstall” list. There were others, but I have already uninstalled these and still have my “not responding” problem.

Ted Myers: As you can see from my response to trebor above, I am starting to remove the programs I don’t want and this may provide the answer in due course. Here in the UK, technical service from Dell is not good and not cheap. Although my new computer is around only 1 month old, Dell do not provide free support for software issues and only limited support for hardware failures. Their FAQs on the Dell website don’t cover my problem.

Many thanks again for your interest in my problem. I hope to get there in the end.

RP