Word Starter 2010, Windows Live Mail, My Documemts issues

[wmangold]

Banged my head enough on this one. Customer complained that he could not open a Word attachment in is Windows Live Mail (Win 7 64-bit). When I double-click on the attachment, Word Starter 2010 would start but then hangs on the "Starting Microsoft Office Click-to-Run" pop-up. He also complained that he could not open any docs from his My Document folder. Correct, we could not open any Office docs with his Starter software.

I ran a "change" (i.e., repair) from Programs & Features (selected the "Remove all Officer user settings related to this product option) and it succeeds "OK". I open Windows Live Mail and then open the word attachment and voila, it opens!!! I check a few more emails with Office attachments and they open fine.

HOWEVER -- I then go to My Documents and Word Starter cannot open a document. It hangs again.

I go back and repeat the process in Programs & Features, come back to My Documents, and voila, the documents open just fine. Go into Windows Live Mail and guess what, I can't open those attachments.

In a nutshell ---- I fix one (e.g., repair via Programs & Features) and it breaks Windows Live Mail attachments. I fix Windows Live Mail attachments to open, but then it breaks the capability to open documents out of My Documents. Ad infinitum.

I hate the work-around to have to save the attachment to My Documents and then open it but it is better (as per the customer) than from within Mail. I hate half-baked solutions. And he claims it all worked fine up to about 2-3 weeks ago.

ANY directions would be appreciated / help /suggestions, etc., short of downloading some funky 3rd party software to run at a cost. BTW: the customer wants to avoid having to upgrade to Office for $220.

Oh yeah, PDF files open fine all the time from within Mail.

 

[Layback Bear]

Is this a Trial version of Word that has just run out of the prescribe time limit?

 

[wmangold]

I didn't know MS Word Starter was considered a "trial" version. It came from the manufacturer (Lenovo) when the customer bought the laptop. I'm also a bit confused about this whole "Click-to-Run" functionality associated with it (which I don't mean to get off track on but I think it's all part of Starter package). I've tried all the Mr Fixit routines, searched everything (forums, microsoft support, etc.) I can, and read just about everything on the potential solutions, but no one addresses the specific problem I've identified. The other area I've looked into and just don't see anything to change is the Win 7 firewall. PS: customer is running my preferred anti-virus: Microsoft Security Essentials. THANKS for the contact!!! Will

 

[wmangold]

FYI: Starter does not expire: What is Office Starter 2010? - Starter - Office.com

 

[Layback Bear]

This might be of some help.

Microsoft begins phasing out Starter edition of its Office suite | ZDNet

 

[wmangold]

Thanks for the link. I pretty much knew this was Microsoft's angle to get customers to upgrade (at a significant cost). However, the article does not indicate that Starter will not run (or fails to run in my case in one or the other apps (Live Mail or standalone). This also "implies" Microsoft should continue supporting Starter -- but -- I do know how big corps operate.

I'm the local PC guru in this small town. Most are senior citizens here and upgrading for $220 is not an option for this guy. I was considering the LibreOffice or the OpenOffice.org (freebies) and work at removing this Starter package. I've spent a lot of time on this bizzare problem and yet, won't be charging this gentlemen for all my efforts. BUT -- I do want to get him some functionality back if possible.

So -- comments on the 'freebies' I mention are welcome, but I sure would like to find a resolution to the current configuration (Windows Live Mail attachments and Office Starter opening files out of My Documents).

 

[Layback Bear]

Take a look at this. It might help. I haven't done this so I can't say how good it is.

 

[grits]

Sorry to intrude here but I've been trying to understand the Office Starter - ClickToRun that I have so am reading all posts that may apply.

I clicked on LB's link & am posting screen shot of what I found. I don't take WOT as gospel but yet don't feel safe without it.

 

[wmangold]

No, intrude - please! Anything to get my mind off trying to solve this bizarre situation is appreciated. I'm not sure I understand the image/content. What are you telling me here? Are you suggesting maybe a virus of some sort causing my issue? Thanks!

 

[grits]

I'm sorry, not good at choosing my wording for posting. No,not suggesting virus. That shot just shows what many WOT users think of the download site that was in Layback's post. It tells me to either avoid the site or be very careful there. By the way, Layback Bear is waaay more advanced than me & has helped me in the past.
Sorry, I'm of no help to you. I'm looking for help of my own concerning the Click to Run & Office Starter.
I hope you get your's solved.
grits

 

[robinb9]

Just so you know office 2007 or 2010 Starter are watered down versions of office and very very limited usages It is put on new computers to get a taste of the office suite so when you run them and wind up with a problem like yours it basically forces you to upgrade if you still want it need the functions
If your client cannot afford the suite I highly recommend Libre Office. 4
I have it on all my clients computer who want the basic non heavy duty formulas, and it works just like ms office

 

[robinb9]

Also I put it on for those who cannot afford office or are retired and do not need it in an office environment
The only thing it does not have is outlook but you can install Windows live mail
The office program works on windows 8 also

 

[Layback Bear]

Sorry folks. Thank you grits for the information. I remove the hyper link in my previous post. It is not worth taking a chance.

robinb9 has a very good suggestion with Libre Office.

 

[robinb9]

Thank you, layback , I try

 

[wmangold]

AH -- understand now. I respect this forum more than any out there so LB's feedback is most welcome as well as your's. I've searched on the Click-to-Run feature (on Microsoft for sure) and things lead me to believe there is a newer update to one I have installed, but do you think I can get the download? NOPE. I checked versions of several dll files and all are older than MS's site on C-t-R. So, (rhetorically speaking), where's the download? MS leads you off into la-la land. I think LB's input is enough to convince me to go with the freebie from LibreOffice or the openoffice.org (apache) client since the customer isn't really an Office person -- just needs to read files sent to him (e.g., .doc/docx, xls/xlsx, etc.) Interesting though how he claims it worked fine up to about the time MS sent out its monthly pushes/updates. Yet, I can't tell which one may have broken it all. Not sure but my gut tells me something in that complicated / busy windows firewall for Win 7 is the culprit.

 

[grits]

I've never used or learned any thing of Office, I only activated that darn Starter so I could view some Office docs that were sent to me. I now have them all in a folder on my desktop. So would you still recommend Libre for someone like me? I may want to learn Office someday.
Thank you,
grits

Edit - didn't see wmangold's post when I did mine, was gonna post a separate to him/her but will do here with a partial screen shot of my reason to get rid of it, fills up my Event Viewer & wondering if you get the same.

 

[robinb9]

I like libre office better than open office because you do not need java with it like you have to install java with open office, you download java only if you need it

 

[wmangold]

Well -- I've given in on this one -- WAY too much trouble-shooting time on this. To me, it is clear MS wants you to pay for the upgrade of the full Office suite which LB so eloquently indicated earlier. SO -- I've installed LebreOffice 4.0 from libreoffice.org and so far, it looks and works great -- both with Windows Live Mail as well as from the My Documents pool. Took a bit to find the right download link and some stupid torrent which I despise. BTW: I left Starter on the machine so the customer can "open with" if they so desire but I suspect he'll be just fine.

I'll keep this thread open for awhile in the event someone really has the answer to solve this one.

 

[Lisastar9]

Did you install libre office while you had starter still installed on your computer. My brother is having problems with starter and can't open word documents. And he doesn't want to pay for office 2010.

Well -- I've given in on this one -- WAY too much trouble-shooting time on this. To me, it is clear MS wants you to pay for the upgrade of the full Office suite which LB so eloquently indicated earlier. SO -- I've installed LebreOffice 4.0 from libreoffice.org and so far, it looks and works great -- both with Windows Live Mail as well as from the My Documents pool. Took a bit to find the right download link and some stupid torrent which I despise. BTW: I left Starter on the machine so the customer can "open with" if they so desire but I suspect he'll be just fine.

I'll keep this thread open for awhile in the event someone really has the answer to solve this one.

 

[wmangold]

LIBREOFFICE is great -- and totally free! I installed it and it works VERY well indeed. I think I may have a new app for future customers I will gladly recommend and save them big money buying Office. GO FOR IT -- LibreOffice 4 is here! --- Funny, I was a software configuration manager for big companies and was not a fan of any open-source software due to the "risks". In this case -- I'm becoming a lot more appreciative of all the hard work developers/designers put into the open source tools available out there!