Microsoft Word Crashing Frequently on Mac OS X

Hi Anne -

Your friend Robb asked me to email you regarding some issues you’ve been experiencing with Microsoft Word on your Mac computer.

Two things come to mind.

1) Make sure you’re using the latest version of Microsoft Office – version 2008. 2004 and X weren’t particularly reliable & even less so on these newer Intel-Based Macs.

2) Make sure Microsoft Office has been patched. Microsoft constantly releases bug fixes issued through freely downloadable patches. You can obtain them two ways:

a) Open Microsoft Word and select ‘Check for Updates’ from the ‘Help’ menu. This will initiate the process to automatically download & install the patches. The steps are easy to follow. More information about this process is available here: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/help.mspx?CTT=PageView&clr=99-0-0&ep=7&target=ffe35357-8f25-4df8-a0a3-c258526c64ea1033 b) Download them manually. I wouldn’t recommend this method, but Office 2008 SP2 is available here. This update is the most critical. http://download.microsoft.com/download/C/5/3/C534F078-E9E8-4AAE-B845-AF88CD0FFC8E/Office2008-1220UpdateEN.dmg

We have found that without these updates, Microsoft Office is unreliable & crashes without warning. This has been noticed on both Mac OS 10.4, 10.5 & 10.6.

There is one other major glitch with Office (there are lots of little glitches, but that’s Microsoft for you) – None of the programs, especially Word, like long documents (ie + 50 pages). They have a hard time rendering & updating the pages quickly & as such are more prone to crash because of it. If possible, we recommend keeping documents as small as possible – even breaking up a novel into individual files, one per chapter.

Hope that information helps -

Best,

hunter greene Brainspiral Technologies, Inc.

New PC Workstation

Hi Jack -

Good to talk to you today.

We have purchased the following systems for various clients:

http://us.shuttle.com/H7_G4500.aspx

With the following:

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8Ghz Processor 2GB RAM 500GB SATA Hard Drive Keyboard/Mouse DVD Burner 8 USB Ports Network Card

Total cost: $600

I would also figure on an additional $100 for installation (including copying over data from existing PC, adding printer, configuring email, etc).

They are very nice machines – reliable, fast, small.

There are cheaper (and definitely more expensive) options as well – but I think for your needs now & for another 4-6 years, this system will serve you very well.

Let me know what you think.

Best,

hunter

Networkable Laser Printers

Well you never know.

Those Brother printers are great, but like most inexpensive printers, they simply aren’t built to last.

Networkable laser printers range in price from about $100 to $1500.

The cheaper printers are fast & the quality is very good, but the toner cartridges don’t last long & so in the long run they end up costing more.

These are both very nice printers:

HP P2035N http://www.amazon.com/HP-P2035N-LaserJet-Printer-Monochrome/dp/B001AHJN3M/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255540430&sr=8-15 Brother HL-5370DWT http://www.amazon.com/Brother-HL-5370DWT-Printer-Wireless-Networking/dp/B0025KVK70/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255540556&sr=1-5

Both less than $300.

My recommendation would be to use the printer you have now for as long as possible & then upgrade it to a newer one.

Best,

hunter

On Oct 14, 2009, at 11:43 AM, Hogeland wrote:

> Actually, with some more TLC it seems to be working again…but > perhaps we shouldn’t press our luck. > > —– Original Message —– > From: > To: hunter greene > Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 9:38 AM > Subject: printer > > Hi Hunter – > > My laser printer – BrotherHL-2070N – is once again acting like it > has no paper, even though the tray is full. This happened about a > year ago and you fixed it. I’ve tried working with the parts that > seem to play a role in lifting the paper to no avail. Do you think > we should just get a new printer at this point? This one has lasted > a few years and might be done. > > If we do opt for a new one, do you have any suggestions for a decent > laser printer for the home? If it would be easiest for you guys to > set it up, I’d be happy to make an appointment (and will defer to > whatever you suggest as far as ordering the printer). > > Many thanks – > Anne >