Replies

Mark,

Thanks for the input. I started in SAFE MODE and the problem went away. So, it appears you are right in that it is something loading at startup.

I’ll start the trial and error process of finding out which item is causing the problem (msconfig).

Thanks for planting the idea .

BH Davis

Legare,

Nope, they don’t….which is weird. The top right buttons now are up just below the program “max” and “min” buttons. If you hit the “restore” button, the window pops down to look like my screen shot early on in this thread. Then I have the “problem” and the “max” button does not put it back to “proper”. However, the “max” menu choice in the drop down menu on the Excel icon on the top left of the window will put it back to fully maximized. The max button on the top right of the window seems pretty screwed up….and that’s probably where the problem lies.

Now, I just tried the same thing in AutoCAD….same problem is occuring. This must be a Win98 SE issue. Very interesting!!!

Thanks again,
BH

FIXED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is almost too embarrasing to report……..and I don’t completely understand why it’s working this way.

The “minimize” and “maximize” buttons at the top right of the worksheet haven’t been working right as I reported early on. I just left clicked on the “Excel” button at the top left of the worksheet. It’s pop-up menu also lists “minimize”, “maximize” etc. I always thought these were just menu duplicates of the “min” and “max” buttons at the top right of every Windows program or worksheet screen. However, I hit “maximize” there and it flipped everything back to the way it’s supposed to be. Go figure?!?!?!

Anyway, thank you all again for your willingness to help. I can only say that I try to do the same on the professional woodworking forums and hopefully it all balances out in the end.

BH Davis

Legare,

Unfortunately both my XLStart directories are empty. I did a F on C drive and found 2 XLStart directories. So that’s no help. If you look at my post a couple of messages above you’ll see the list of things I’ve tried………hopefully I’ve got them all listed there.

Thanks again,
BH Davis

Legare,

Thanks for the suggestion. However, there are none listed under, TOOLS, ADD-INS. It is empty. I should have mentioned that above.

Thanks,
BH Davis

Okay, here’s what I’ve done so far and the results. I don’t expext you to continue trying to nurse me through this….if you have any other thoughts though they are appreciated.

First, Excel starts as it should with the “/safe” switch.

All items below do not correct the problem though:

1. All add-ins were removed….no improvement
2. Excel10.xlb was deleted (temporarily) and Excel created a new Excel10.xlb after restarting and making an alteration to the toolbar….no improvement.
3. Ran the REPAIR program from the Office XP CD…….no improvement.
4. Found 2 XLSTART folders on the hard drive………both are empty and there is no “personal.xls” file.
5. Re. the Jan Karel Pieterse suggestions: I think I’ve examined all the suggestions and tried what applied (above items) except for the “start up” programs which I’m not sure how to identify.

So, that’s it. Sorry to be such an incompetent with this. If I can help you out with woodworking or woodworking machinery question someday I’d be happy to return the favor! That’s my area…………

Thanks,
BH Davis
http://www.curvedmouldings.com

Hans,

I disabled all the Add-ins in from Office Excel setup (Add/Remove programs) and this had no effect. I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean by “Personal.xls” though.

Also, I’ll reread Jan Karel’s post to see if I can pick up something else there.

Thanks again,
BH Davis

OKAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Using: “C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOfficeExcel.exe” /Safe in the START, RUN window SOLVES THE PROBLEM!!!!

But, I’m not sure where to go from here since I start Excel from a number of places on the computer and I’d have to add the “/safe” switch to all of them. And I’m sure that’s only an asperin and not the cure.

Thank you very much for getting me this far!
BH

Here’s a screen shot.

BH

Double clicking maximizes it if it isn’t already, and reduces the window size if it already is maximized.

HOWEVER, when it is maximized, the icon does NOT change to the double window icon………it remains the full window icon you would press TO maximize the window………I hope that’s clearly stated! Also, when maximized you are able to move the window around, which you should not be able to do. Maybe a reinstall?

BH

HansV,

I wish it were that simple, but the maximize button “maximizes”, but the title bar is still there. I’m beginning to wonder if I’m nuts and the title bar always was at the top of the worksheet in Excel, unlike in Word.

BH

Jan Karel Pieterse,

Thank you for taking a few minutes to help with this.

I looked at DATA, VALIDATION, LIST and saw generally how it works on a cell. How would I go about getting this to be part of my MACRO that I use to bring up the INPUT BOXES?

Thanks again,
BH Davis

Mike,

I don’t know if I mentioned this earlier here…I did somewhere….and should have if I didn’t.

The problem ONLY occurs in OFFICE 97 apps. So, I have no printing related problems in AutoCAD, Print Shop etc.

BH Davis

Leif,

Thanks for taking the time to post the reply. I was just experimenting with my printer settings a few minutes ago. The screen shot you uploaded is exactly what my settings are.

I should have mentioned I do not have problems in any other programs….just Office 97.

BH Davis

Edited by gwhitfield on 21-Mar-02 07:05.

EDIT : Please post any responses to General Office Solutions

I’m going to restate my PRINTING problem with Office 97 in Windows XP to reflect some new realizations of the problem.

In the earlier post I stated that the printing from Excel 97 and Word 97 were affecting my FILE OPEN and FILE SAVE AS windows, significantly slowing down the search for the file list. This is correct.

However, that is not the only place effected. ALL OTHER ACTIVITY on the computer takes a back seat to the printing process in Excel and Word. It’s as though all the cpu power must be directed towards the Office program print and none is available for other multi tasking purposes.

I can find no place in Word 97 or Excel 97 to make setting adjustments other than TOOLS, OPTIONS, PRINT, BACKGROUND PRINT on or off in Word. Setting this on or off had no effect.

Am I going to have to bite the bullet and buy Office XP?

BH Davis