Hi,

I have a big problem. I cut and pasted a picture into MSWord 2007 using SnagIt. The picture now comes up as a "SORT OF" background every time I try to use MSWord. It is not a real background. I have tried changing it using the background, pattern and etc. on the "page Layout" tab. I even removed MSOffice and reinstalled it. The $/%;4@ is still there.

This picture is a simple grid and covers the entire PRINT AREA. Not the entire page as a real backround. It seems to cover the same area as a pattern. I am stumped.

I am in real need of some help!!!!!

Thanks.


controlengineer

Hi controlengineer,

What you've managed to do is to add the picture to Word's 'Normal' template (which doesn't get deleted when you uninstall Word). You can delete it by editing or deleting the template.

To edit the template:
1. Go to Word Options|Advanced > File Locations and note where the 'User templates' are kept.
2. Go to File|Open and navigate to the 'User templates' folder.
3. Change the file type option to 'All Word templates'.
4. Select 'Normal.dot' or 'Normal.dotx' and open it.
5. Delete the image, then save the template.

To delete the template:
1. Go to Word Options|Advanced > File Locations and note where the 'User templates' are kept.
2. Close Word.
3. Use Windows Explorer to navigate to the 'User templates' folder.
4. Select 'Normal.dot' or 'Normal.dotx' and delete it.
5. Restart Word.
Note: deleting the Normal template also deletes any other customisations you've made for default fonts, paragraph spacing, etc, plus any macro's you've created.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Hello,


I have done all you recommended and I still have the problem.


Summary:


SYSTEM:
Windows Xp – 64 bit
Quad core
20 Tb hard drive
8 GB ram
2 Nvidia video cards – 1 GB each.
3 24 inch monitors


Problem: MSWord 2007 when booted comes up with a cross hatch pattern in the background. Very annoying.


Attempts:


It is not a picture. Cannot be selected and deleted.


Select all does nothing.


Object select does nothing.


The background cross hatch does not print.


Deleting the Normal.dotm file does not help.


Trying to edit the Normal.dotm file does not help. I even tried to open the file with a text file deitor. It is in binary form.


Turning off all Add-Ins does not help.


Turning off all macros does not help.


Uninstalling MSOffice and reinstalling does not help.


Trying the procedures on does not help
http://www.pcdon.com/word-unstable-corrupted-normal-dot.html






Trying the procedures on does not help

I am literally lost. I do not know what else to do.


Thanks,


controlengineer

Hi controlengineer,

Deleting the Normal.dotm file should delete anything in Word's startup templates and give you the original version next time you start Word. The fact that it didn't suggests the issue may not be a picture. However, just in case, go to Page Layout|Watermark and choose 'remove watermark'.

Another thought: Goto View and make sure 'Gridlines' is unchecked.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Here's how to fix it:
1. Close Word completely.
2. Locate and rename the Normal.dotm template:
This forces Word to regenerate a clean default template.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type:
%appdata%\Microsoft\Templates
-
- Press Enter.
- Find the file named Normal.dotm.
- Rename it to something like Normal_old.dotm.
�� When you restart Word, it will create a fresh Normal.dotm without the embedded image.

3. Restart Word and test.
Open a blank document and see if the grid image is gone.

Optional Cleanup
If you still see the image in existing documents, it may have been embedded in those files individually. You can:
- Open the document.
- Go to the View tab → Print Layout.
- Click on the image and press Delete.
- Save the document.
Let me know if the image shows up only in new documents or also in old ones — I can help you clean those up too.

Sallu: This thread is nearly 15 years old. Kindly don't resurrect ancient threads. Especially when they've already been marked as solved and your 'solution' has already been tried...

I have deleted your replies to multiple other ancient thread resurrections, too. And I'll be deleting the one here in due course, too.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]