[Solved] OpenOfice 4.1 freezing

[bilnrobn]

I have only had this happening in spreadsheet format, but that is the layout in which I do most of my work, but my gut feel is it is probably a general problem and could occur in other layouts as well.
After working for a while the screen suddenly freezes with the bars at the top and bottom of the screen flickering. Nothing works at all; I can't do further work , save or even close by clicking the cross at the top right of the screen. It seems to happen at random; sometimes after a quite short, and others longer, periods.If I reboot the computer and reopen Open Office it usually put up the 'repair the last document' screen and successfully does this.

I am thinking maybe the easiest solution is to uninstall Open Office and reinstall it from a fresh download. My computer is 64bit and the only option for Win10 seems to be 32 bit. Does this matter and is this the easiest solution?

[Hagar Delest]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

AOO being a 32bit application on a 64bit machine is not a problem at all.

Are the other applications impacted also? It's not clear if only AOO freezes or if it is the whole system.
You can try to reset your OpenOffice user profile.
If no change, make sure that there is no security application that could interfere. AOO on the white list? Especially if you use Avast.
If nothing works, try LibreOffice, much more developed than AOO.

[RoryOF]

Also, try running Windows in Safe Mode (as a temporary measure). If OpenOffice runs stable in that Windows mode, the problem is interference from some other program or driver. One could run a system diagnostic alongside OpenOffice (in normal Windows mode) and observe whether system resources are being slowly consumed. These are all diagnostic tests - depending on the results so the cure may differ.

[bilnrobn]

Thank you both for your very prompt replies. The problem does only affect OO. You have given me several options and I'll try applying them. I'll let you know how I go.

[bilnrobn]

I found that Avast was indeed blocking Open Office 4.1.1. I have now cancelled that setting and whitelisted all seven of the sub areas inside the Open Office app, (Calc, Writer, Draw, etc.)
I'm guessing that should fix the problem, but will leave this thread sit until I am sure that is so.
Thanks Hagar and Rory for your help.

[bilnrobn]

Further to what I just posted...
When I set up my new laptop about a month ago I found that I couldn't access my OO docs. A message "You are not authorized to open this document" always appeared. I got around the problem by copying all my OO docs to a thumb drive. That solved the problem, but in a rather unwieldy way.
So, it is looking more and more that Avast was causing both my problems.

[RoryOF]

Besides Avast blocking your documents, it is possible that Windows Defender or anti-Ransomware is doing so, or will do so. Post again if the problem continues. Windows 10 continuing updates can sometimes reset (to Microsoft's desire) your settings for these.

[bilnrobn]

Thanks Rory. I've been using OO quite a bit today and it is working fine. I think it was just Avast, but I'll keep Defender and Anti-Ransomware in mind in case it plays up again. I wasn't aware that Windows Security was actually running but I see on looking that App and Browser control is set to off and there is a suggestion to turn it on.
There doesn't seem to be a White list, just turn it on or off. Avast is doing the job so I'll leave it switched off.
I think we can say the problems, (both of them), are solved.

[ScarfaceGB]

Also, try running Windows in Safe Mode (as a temporary measure). If OpenOffice runs stable in that Windows mode, the problem is interference from some other program or driver. One could run a system diagnostic alongside OpenOffice (in normal Windows mode) and observe whether system resources are being slowly consumed. These are all diagnostic tests - depending on the results so the cure may differ.

I remember using safe mode for the first time at around 2009, because my laptop kept turning itself off abruptly with no warning, but when I tried safe mode, it cost me sound and internet.

[RoryOF]

Safe mode is only intended as a helpful diagnostic. It might indeed not allow sound and Internet, as it is not intended as a normal 24/7 mode in which to run your computer.

[ScarfaceGB]

Safe mode is only intended as a helpful diagnostic. It might indeed not allow sound and Internet, as it is not intended as a normal 24/7 mode in which to run your computer.

Plus I don't know how to set up safe mode, and I don't want to have to switch computers off incorrectly by holding the button on the console, it's not good. Maybe you have to press/hold a key as soon as you turn it on?

[LastUnicorn]

Windows startup settings (and getting into Safe Mode).

[ScarfaceGB]

Windows startup settings (and getting into Safe Mode).

I might give it a shot if this goes on and on and on, you see, I'm hesitating.

[LastUnicorn]

I might give it a shot if this goes on and on and on, you see, I'm hesitating.

I'm not clear on what the difficulty is you are facing but for what it is worth you might want to consider switching from OpenOffice to LibreOffice. There are several good reasons for making the switch anyway, some of which are mentioned here: [Tutorial] Considering a Switch from OpenOffice to LibreOffice? Some Useful Information