Come on Works, work!

August 1, 2005 9:22 AM

Extremely odd and specific Microsoft Works word processor text entry problem...

Customer has Microsoft Works (2002?) on Windows XP. They were having a problem entering text in the Works word processor (Wwp). We did a full "wipe and reload" - format, reinstall Windows, install updates (SP2 etc). No viruses or other malware present. They tried it out at our store, no problems. When they get it back to their house, they can't type in Wwp. You can use Alt and Ctrl shortcuts, you can paste in text from elsewhere, backspace works, but you cannot actually enter new text using the keyboard. You can type text into a WordArt dialog box, but not directly into the document. New and saved documents have the same issue, so I don't think it's a "default template", "Word/normal.dot" kind of thing. It doesn't seem possible that it's a hardware issue - the entire keyboard works in everything else, with or without Wwp open, and partially works in Wwp. The same issue remains after removing extraneous hardware like printer, scanner, etc. I even unplugged the mouse, leaving only the power cable, keyboard, and monitor attached. No luck. What in the heck is going on here?

posted by attercoppe to computers & internet (5 comments total)

Have you personally witnessed it not working at their house?
posted by words1 at 9:28 AM on August 1, 2005

Their text color isn't white, is it?
posted by chiababe at 9:45 AM on August 1, 2005

Yes, I did not originally work on it, but I went to their house and tested it - that's how I can tell you all the detail I've given.

No, the text color isn't white. The cursor doesn't move, there's really no indication that Wwp is aware that any text entry is being attempted. I did try different fonts at different sizes and in different colors - no difference.
posted by attercoppe at 9:53 AM on August 1, 2005

can you type anywhere else?
posted by clarahamster at 2:28 PM on August 1, 2005

As previously stated:

"You can type text into a WordArt dialog box, but not directly into the document."

and

"the entire keyboard works in everything else"

Did you have a more specific question that those don't cover, but that you were unable to articulate?
posted by attercoppe at 9:19 PM on August 1, 2005