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Problems with Word on an Intel Mac
→ Posted by: on the: 23 Aug 2006
Ontap over the last 6 months we've been updating our systems, workflow, software and hardware. Last Thursday the day finally arrived that I could ditch my old iLamp, being last in-line for a new computer, and embrace a new Intel MacBook Pro.
As unglamorous as it sounds most of my time in the office is spent writing letters, technical/creative briefs and proposals in MS Word. I am therefore very dependant on MS Word.
To my horror MS Word didn't behave itself under Rosetta, in fact I nearly decided to use Boot Camp and boot into Windows to use Word until Word for Mac had gotten it?s act together.
My symptoms were as follows:
- When using anything other than the system fonts I couldn't save my documents as Word would crash and bring down other apps with it.
- Word taken ages to boot.
After doing some research I discovered a very simply solution to Word crashing on saving documents.
All you have to do is:
- Go to Word preferences (pretzel + comma)
- Click 'Save' to the left in the menu
- Ensure 'Save preview picture with new documents' is unchecked
That sorted out the problem for me.
As for Word taking ages to boot, I'll have to live with it until a native version of Word is released.
Other than the issues I experienced in Word I haven't had any other problems running an Intel Mac. I love my MacBook Pro.
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
Thanks for your briljant tip. btw I love my Macbook too. ;-)
Rob Bosveld wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
This does NOT work. Tried it.
kidd redd wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
Kidd, that's a shame. hmmmmm. It works for me and for others too, what version of Word are you on, 11.2.3?
Glen Richardson wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
I may have spoken too soon. Yesterday, I attempted the fix three separate times, and still got the crash. I tested it again this morning after my previous post and it seems to work today. Very mysterious. At the end of the day, it's still a workaround, and a very Microsoftish one at that. My experience with my Intel Mac has been more of the same. Adobe runs poorly through Rosetta, Airport takes forever to find a wireless network, and I have to spend time in forums looking for answers like my old Windows days.
kidd redd wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
I found another problem. Open a document, select View>Master Document and then try to split the screen. MS W 2004 crashes. Have you guys seen anything like this? -FC
FC wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
FC - I get the same problem too. I'm guessing it's an issue which cannot be resolved (until Word is native on Intel) as the app just closes as soon as you click the 'split' option. Looks like a severe problem, keep us posted.
Glen Richardson wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
I tried the original tip to disable the Preview Picture. Howevere both new and old documents crashed as soon as I tried to enter new text. Upon restarting Word, the default settings were re-instated since i.e. the Preview Picture was no longer disabled. I hasve the latest software updates for MAC OS X (10.4.7) and MS Office 2004 (11.2.6) on my new leased Intel iMAC in my office at work (small University campus in BC Canada). I now regret being the only one at my small campus who has remained a MAC user! Perhaps I should run Windows on this machine after downloading Bootcamp.
Marten Lettinga wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
Marten - Have you tried opening Word without any documents open then turning off preview pictures and then restarting Word?
Glen Richardson wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
Glen - I will try that as soon as I get to my workplace after running some errants. That just might work or I may try to get computer services to do a fresh install of MS Office 2004 if that fails whenever they are at our campus next.
Marten Lettinga wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
Glen - MS Word still shuts down whenever editing an existing document or beginning to create a new one even though this time, the Preview Picture setting remained disabled. Hope computer services can arrange for a clean install of MS Office 2004 soon before my classes begin.
Marten Lettinga wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
Marten - doesn't sound like fun. This 'fix' obviously doesn't work for every situation, shame. As I was faced with the same situation I looked into free alternatives to MS Word. NeoOffice, appeared to offer the best alternative. Although it looks ugly it does the trick. Hope that helps!
Glen Richardson wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
Glen - Computer Services is shipping me a CD with MS Office on it - they think a fresh install might do the trick. Let's hope!
Marten Lettinga wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
UPDATE - Mac OS X Version 10.4.8 fixes the OpenType font issue in Microsoft Word.
Glen Richardson wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
Or you could kiss Microsoft arse goodbye and buy ThinkFree Office for OSX Universal. http://www.thinkfree.com/common/main.tfo
Nick Karfoot wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
I'll second the right-click crash bug. This has burned me more times than I can count now. I don't remember having the problem on PPC hardware, though.
chris wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
I have a problem whenever trying to use the right click in any MS Office 2004 app. The program simply crashes. Tried using the double tap to right click on the new macbook pro, and the CTRL + Mouse Button to right click, and the right click on my wireless mighty mouse.
suleiman wrote
Comment on: 6 June 2007 - 14:20:12
suleiman - That's a new bug to me, grrrr. Here's hoping the next version sorts everything out!!!
Glen Richardson wrote
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