[Solved] Serious Problem opening files .doc .xls

[eritzman]

I have just replaces OOo 2.3 with 2.4. I am having a problem opening .doc & .xls files.

I can create files with no problem, however when I try to open the file I just created (or a previous file for that matter) I get the following error.

"The application can't be started, The user interface language can't be determined"

I have done everything I can think of to remedy this, including searching this board, with no luck.

I would greatly appreciate any help.


Eric

[Hagar Delest]

Please read the Survival Guide for the forum. What OS? Windows I guess?

What installer have you used? I'm especially talking about the language: US, UK, ...?

[eritzman]

Windows XP and English.

[Hagar Delest]

English US or English UK? If the latter, try to install the former.

[eritzman]

English US.

I haven't installed any language packs. I did set it to default, restart the program, set it back to English US & restart the program again. It hasn't made a difference.

I have been using OOo for at least 3 years and have never had a problem like this.

[eritzman]

OK everyone. I have found the root of my problem. When I clicked properties on that file it had open with listed as OO 2.3. Even though I have removed this program. The "always use this action for this kind of file" area is grayed out. Now I have to figure out how to make it open in 2.4 for every file I create.

[Hagar Delest]

I see you've tagged your thread as solved. How have you fixed it? It may be useful for other users in the future.

[demarcoc]

I've had this problem with Windows XP file type associations when you update certain programs. It's sort of hit-or-miss, and can arise even when you've uninstalled the relevant program, as seems to have happened to you.

My suggestion, which hasn't failed me yet, and has worked with all the various versions of OOo I've installed, is to uninstall the previous version, then run a utility like CCleaner or RegCleaner to remove all registry entries for the program.

Once that's done, you should be able to install the new version with no file association problems. Don't forget to check the options on the OOo install screen to re-associate MSOffice file types with OOo, and you should be all set.

Also, I'd suggest hanging on to the .exe for the version of OOo you're currently using as well as the previous version, just in case you want to roll back. If you do roll back, the same rules apply -- uninstall the existing version, remove all the registry entries, then install the other version.

Note that this does NOT affect any of the settings you have in Documents and Settings/[username]/Application Data/OpenOffice.org2 -- all of your templates, preferences, etc. will carry over even if you do the uninstall and the registry clean-up.

[eritzman]

I went into the control panel/ folder options /file types and went down the list changing every file type that I wanted to open from OOo 2.3 to 2.4. It didn't take but a couple of minutes to change once I found out where to do it.

I hope my hassle helps someone else. I shall once again enjoy using OOo.