My Word program has recently started to indicate "Requesting Virus Scan" on the bottom of the screen when I go to open a document. I am starting to get desparate as I can't use Word anymore. I have to shut down my computer after each attempt. What puzzles me is what caused this to change? I don't know if the normal.dot or normal.old could be the reason for the change. I have read through many posts and am aware that this problem is presumbly related to the Norton Antivirus software. As has been suggested I have tried to disable this function but have not been successful. I have Windows ME and Norton Antivirus 2000 which I have found out is no longer supported by Symantec. This particular version of Norton requires that you use the Run feature to disable the antivirus scanning Word. I see that in my system I have a folder for NAV (norton) with all the relevant programs under it and also one for Norton Utilities with just the Quartine folder and PREMEND (whatever that is). I have put in the following command. "c:Windows\System\Regsvr32" -U "C:\Program Files\Norton antivirus\OfficeAV.dll" I have made slight modifications. as follows: Nav(norton) to replace Norton antivirus and /U to replace -U. and regsvr32 to regsvr32.exe However, nothing has worked. If anyone can provide a solution for me I would be very greatful. Val G.

Since NAV2000 is no longer supported, why not uninstall it and get a virus program that works. You can try several programs on a trial basis, my favorites to deal with this situation are eset's NOD32 or srnmicro's SOLO. There is grisoft's AVG, which is free too. You could also use one of the on line scans available at Panda, Trend Micro or Symantec websites, to see if you have a virus. Make sure you check 'system restore" as antivirus programs cannot deal with any virus files in it. If there is a virus idenified in the restore files, you must turn off "system restore" to clean your computer.

Thank you for responding. I shall consider your suggestions since it is annoying to have problems and then find the software isn't supported anymore even though I pay for a subscription each year. I deleted the normal templates for Word and it seems to be working even though I no longer see the normal.dot file.

VNG, I too foudn out my version of NAV was obsolete. I upgraded it and its just dandy running under ME. I did disable its Word scanning tho, too annoying. I would suggest to uninstall everything and just upgrade and use NAV. To me its cheap protection.