"Find Text" Unexpected Error Causing Repeated Crashes 4.1.5

[Brother Rabbit]

Hello,

Have been using OpenOffice for a decade or more with only the rare instance of a crash or three every year or so that have always gone away with no effort on my part. (probly system related on other computers I use it on for work)

Today, after using OpOff for 20-30 minutes within an .xls file without experiencing any trouble it crashed with "Unexpected error" as the only reason. After multiple attempts to continue working all ending in additional crashes, usually corresponding with an attempt to quick find, I attempted to check for updates and have been receiving an "Checking for an update failed. Error reading data from the Internet. Server error message: ." each time I try. Obviously 4.1.5 is the current version, so I didn't expect an update, but thought I should mention it. All other elements of WiFi connection appear to be working without issue.

I have now attempted editing an .ods file to check if it was file format issue with this decade old file I use nearly every day/rebooting/uninstalling and reinstalling 4.1.5 twice/uninstalling 4.1.5 and installing 4.1.4, just in case. Same issue in each instance.

Additionally, I attempted to search within a new document that had not been saved and received the same error, so I think I can safely rule out the file itself, as it's happened with both older files, newer saved files and with blank, unsaved brand new files.

I'm at a loss and would really like not to have to switch over to the system I just replaced, for this deadline 12+ hour order I'm working on in the next few days.

Any assistance or additional troubleshooting advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[thomasjk]

Try resetting the user profile viewtopic.php?f=74&t=12426. This sometimes corrects odd errors.

[Brother Rabbit]

That made so much sense and has worked with other programs and similar issues.

Unfortunately, after renaming the user profile folder I am experiencing the same crash.

Sad part is, if I could get around the quick search it seems like the program might work for now. After a decade of using it hundreds of times per hour during Calc use, it's muscle memory to use it at this point.

...Oddly, after testing with the new user profile I played around with moving the Find Text entry widget and Find & Replace, which I also use constantly for other reasons and while Find & Replace is up, Quick Find seems to not crash the program, but when I close Find & Replace... crash. Ugh. I guess this is my temporary work around with constant saves to avoid data loss when I inevitably close Find & Replace, as I've always been able to do. (no I'll just remove Find Text from View -> Toolbars... sigh)

I'm going to consider this an open issue still, unless a Mod thinks otherwise I'd love to continue gathering additional troubleshoot options until something brings the program back to original intended operational parameters with a functional "Find Text" feature.

Thanks for the assistance everyone.

[RusselB]

An almost identical topic at viewtopic.php?f=5&t=94783

[Brother Rabbit]

An almost identical topic at viewtopic.php?f=5&t=94783

Thanks for that, I've added this thread to that one, but as I say there, sometimes having a couple threads actually garners more attention to the issue and different responses between them and I'm really hoping extra attention will get a resolution sooner.

Mods, feel free to lock this one if necessary though.

[Brother Rabbit]

*bump*

Modified the title to better specify the issue.

I've been leaving Find & Replace open, as for some odd reason I can use the Find Text search, only when that is open.

I attempted to hide the Find Text search bar and instead use the Backwards checkbox but it's just a stopgap not a workable solution as the Find Text option removes a click (checking the Backwards checkbox) from hundreds of searches per use of the program, so it's really slowing things down.

Also, as the main spreadsheet I use daily is nearly 10K rows, the fact that the Find Text search allows me to hold down Enter and it will auto scroll through all the applicable keyword entries saves massive additional clicks, as the Find & Replace requires me to click Enter for each line change.

I truly believe this is an issue exclusive to the latest patch/update to Win10 and either newer HPs, or possibly this model specifically?

Anyway, really hoping someone can discover a workable fix, or Apache sees the two threads I'm aware of regarding the issue and creates a patch/update to resolve it completely.

Thanks for everyone's assistance so far. =:xB

[RoryOF]

Try removing the Windows update mentioned in this post
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=94826#p452075


If that cures the problem, follow the link in the above post and prevent the update reinstalling.

[Brother Rabbit]

Appreciate it, and that is likely the only current fix. Since I'm already training myself to only use Find Text while Find & Replace is up for now, I think I'm going to leave the update, but that is very helpful.

Really prefer Microsoft fix the updates, rather than having to uninstall them and block them, which there might be other things they're benefiting. (guess I have to move my desire for Microsoft Managed Desktop up from -10 to -9 with this one...) =:xB

[RoryOF]

Appreciate it, and that is likely the only current fix. Since I'm already training myself to only use Find Text while Find & Replace is up for now, I think I'm going to leave the update, but that is very helpful.

Really prefer Microsoft fix the updates, rather than having to uninstall them and block them, which there might be other things they're benefiting. (guess I have to move my desire for Microsoft Managed Desktop up from -10 to -9 with this one...) =:xB

You may appreciate that Microsoft are unlikely to fix something that affects a free competitor software!

Note that many of the Forum Volunteers, as their forum signature shows, have moved away from Windows to a linux distro.

[Brother Rabbit]

Still hoping for a fix that doesn't involve uninstalling updates, if at all possible. (Maybe Apache can do something about this too?)

[AJJones]

I have same issue. I have a Calc doc that I've been using for years and when I use the Find Text tool in the toolbar area, the doc automatically shuts down and has to be reopened using the Recovery tool. Very frustrating. Am running 4.1.5 which was installed approx. 3 months ago and wondering if that is my problem. For instance, is "Find Text" tool no longer a valid tool for use in this new version? ... or something else? Thanks in advance for any solutions to this problem.

[RusselB]

This problem seems to be limited to those running Windows 10.
RoryF posted a reply earler in this topic which referred to the topic at viewtopic.php?f=6&t=94826#p452075 which contains a subsequent link to prevent the update that seems to be causing the problem from reinstalling.