[Solved] OpenOffice won't open any files

[Rhed]

I've been trying to fix this problem for a few days. Nothing seems to work. When I click on any ODS file, The splash screen appears briefly and then it disappears and an error box with

"Write Error. The file could not be written"

pops up. The file lock has been created by not cleared when the program terminates. If I try to open the same file a second time (with the lock file still existing) then I get a

"Document in Use" box which says "Document file 'xxxx.ods' is locked for editing by: Unknown User Open document read-only or open a copy of the document for editing."

Either selection gives me the error box described above. I've updated OO from 4.1.3 to 4.1.11 and the problem persists. I've checked all the file attributes and permissions. All files open using software other than OO. I might just have to upload the files to Google Docs and update them there, but I'd prefer not to do that. Haven't explored the "Unknown User" issue. All users should be known to the system. Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

[RoryOF]

With OpenOffice closed, delete the .lock file. Also check in the root of the OpenOffice user profile ( details at: [Tutorial] The OpenOffice User Profile
for another lock file and delete it.

Then see if OpenOffice will start.

[Rhed]

I'm sorry. That did not work. This error is a fatal one and soffice.exe always closes.

[RoryOF]

Have you restarted Windows?

[Rhed]

Of course. This has been an ongoing problem that I can't figure out. Do you know why the user is unknown?

[RoryOF]

As far as I remember the "unknown user" message may be because a lock file is left in the root of the OpenOffice User User Profile. But be aware that I don't use any current Windows, so my information may be wrong.

[Rhed]

I don't have any lock files in the root of the OpenOffice user profile. I think I'll completely remove OO, scrub the registry of any left behind keys and then reinstall OO to a completely different location.

[RoryOF]

Delete the User Profile to prevent any "memory".

[Rhed]

So sorry. That didn't change anything. I deleted C:User/.../AppData/Roaming/OpenOffice as suggested. I've also found that if I create a new file, I can't save it. When I attempt to save, I'm told the file doesn't exist. Curiouser and curiouser and curiouser....

[Hagar Delest]

Seems very close to this one: "Error saving the document", "File could not be written".

[John_Ha]

See [Tutorial] Problems with Windows Defender under Windows 10 at viewtopic.php?f=74&t=97507.

Windows is preventing ...\soffice.bin from writing the lock file - investigate why.

[Rhed]

OS seems to have been corrupted. I don't know the culprit yet. I suspect HP Support Assistant. Ran

Code: Select all

ICACLS * /T /Q /C /RESET

as admin and the icons on my desktop changed to thumbnails of the actual files. Still couldn't open OO files. Noticed the Documents & Settings hidden folder was corrupted with recursive "Application Data" folders so files couldn't be found. Removed the recursion. Also noticed that User/* folder was set to read only attribute. Manually changed it... several times, but it won't go away. Even running ATTRIB * -R as an administrator won't remove it. But I can open OO files and I can save them. PHEW!

[John_Ha]

Check for malware.