KB: Crash in Microsoft Word when typing or selecting text
KB#: 110
Last updated: March 01 2006
The information in this article applies to:
- ZoomText v8.x and 7.x
- Microsoft Word 2000 with post-Service Pack 3 hotfix
- Microsoft Word 2002 with post-Service Pack 3 hotfix
- Microsoft Word 2003 with post-Service Pack 1 hotfix
PROBLEM
When running ZoomText with Microsoft Word 2000, XP or 2003, typing or selecting text may cause Word to crash. If Word is used edit email messages in Microsoft Outlook, this problem may also cause Outlook to crash.
CAUSE
These problems occur in versions of Microsoft Word (2000 or later) that have been updated with their respective September 2004 post-Service Pack hotfixes. These hotfixes patch a longstanding problem in Microsoft Word; a problem that ZoomText has been patching for several years — to provide enhanced ZoomText performance and system stability. The Word and ZoomText patches are not compatible, resulting in the problem described above.
Currently, these Word hotfixes are only available (on request) from Microsoft and GW Micro (the makers of WindowEyes screen reader).
SOLUTION FOR ZOOMTEXT 8.1
If you are running ZoomText 8.1, this problem can be resolved by installing the latest ZoomText update, version 8.12.1 or later. The update can be obtained (free of charge) using ZoomText's Automatic Updating feature, enabled in the Program Preferences dialog. You can also download the update from Ai Squared's 'Updates' web page: http://www.aisquared.com/Support/Updates.cfm.
SOLUTION FOR ZOOMTEXT 8.0 and ZoomText 7.x
For users of ZoomText 8.0, this problem can only be resolved by rolling back the Microsoft Word hotfix using the system restore utility (if the utility exist on the system and is active), or by reinstalling Microsoft Word. To start the system restore utility, select Start > Programs Accessories > System Tools > System Restore.
