[mediainenglish]

Can someone please help. When I search my computer, it doesn't find the Normal.dot template file anywhere. This means that I cannot edit the template that Word 2003 uses whenever it brings up a document. I've read all the help files and the normal.dot template just isn't where the help files say it should be. As a matter of fact, it just doesn't seem to be on my computer. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

[TotallyCalifornia]

Hi mediainenglish,

Make sure that you include hidden files in your search - it's easy to miss the checkbox in advanced search.

If it fails, look in C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates - that's where the template should exist.

Then, if there isn't one there, maybe you have the same problem I did! See
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/I_have_no_N...003-t18799.html

This is only a problem if you have installed Adobe Acrobat Professional or Elements after the Word installation. Word wasn't saving the Normal.dot with "Save" - you have to use "Save All". Thanks to peterm for that solution!

I hope thius helps.

[mediainenglish]

Thanks TotallyCalifornia,

I have installed Adobe Acrobat, so that must be the problem.

I tried to create a new Normal.dot, but apparently do not know how. When I try to save it as a template to the C:\Documents and setting\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates directory, it won't let me. It says that you cannot save over an opened document. I also then see a file called Normal in the window.

What exactly do I have to do?

[TotallyCalifornia]

It sounds like you have the same problem that I did. If you have not looked at the other forum item that I mentioned ( http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/I_have_no_N...003-t18799.html ), then you MUST at least look at this Adobe tech note:

http://www.adobe.com...ocs/331259.html

Adobe Acrobat 7 has a bad "feature" that disables the ability for Word to automatically save Normal.dot, unless you use Save All.

To test that this is the problem, try this:
1. In Word, hold down Shift, then select File > Save All. (Save All only appears if the Shift is held down.)
2. Look to see if you now have a Normal.dot. (You should.)

The Save All command is not on the File menu by default, so try adding it by customizing a menu.

So whenever you want to make a change that sticks in Normal.dot, you have to select Save All.

Thank you Adobe. And thanks to peterm who pointed me to the workaround.

[rhysbar]

I solve this one by first making and saving a new normal template (save as Template) as normal2.dot.
This seems to create a normal.dot file as well.
Next I search for normal, then delete the normal.dot file (With Word closed) and rename normal2.dot as normal.dot.
N.B. As noted above, I first go to Explorer/tools/folder options/view and check the "show hidden files" and uncheck the "hide protected operating system files" box.
Word seems to create normal.dot on demand, because it doesn't appear in a search until after the above exercise.

[kiin]

Hello to everyone.
I'm new and having what I think is a similar problem with MS Word 2002 and normal.dot. I tried the, "Save All" approach and got a insufficient memory message.
I am running XP Home. I was getting a not responding message whenever I tried to do anything with Word. I took it to a computer shop and was told I lacked memory. I purchased an extra 256 MB of RAM for 510 total. I got home and deleted files, cookies, a lot of unused programs, cleaned the C drive, defragmented the disk, almost completely cleaned up my desktop ..... And now when I go to open a Word file it says, "insufficient memory" ??

I have looked everywhere for the normal.dot file/template in order to delete it. I have been where, "No man has been before .... " and Still cannot find it.

My computer is a notebook. Gateway, Model 450SX4
On my page file it says I have 426 MB used and 819 MB available

I don't think it is really a memory problem; but it is a problem.
Any help out there would be greatly appreciated.
With much thanks, and kind regards
kiin

[MS22]

You saved my mind! I was about loco until I put C:\Documents and Settings\my username\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates in the search and found "my" Normal document. I deleted it and in a moment a new Normal doc appeared, all blank and useful! I went to Word and opened it and the blank appeared. I opened a new blank Word doc and it really was blank!!! You are amazing! Thanks!