Member Avatar for jems

I downloaded McAfee Personal Firewall Express v4.5 to my computer. Since I have done this, my computer sometimes freezes when I boot up. When it freezes, I hit Ctrl + Alt + Dlt. It says that Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar Not Responding. When this happens, I turn off the computer and reboot the computer. This usually corrects the problem. How can I solve this problem; I don't want to have to reboot my machine everytime I turn it on. It runs Windows 98 and Microsoft Office 97.

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A compact, Win98‑focused troubleshooting plan that builds on the suggestions already posted by , and but avoids guesses.

Start with a Safe‑Mode test. Windows 98 will not process normal startup Run/RunOnce items in Safe Mode, so if the shortcut‑bar problem (or the boot freeze) disappears there you know a startup program or extension is the likely cause. To get the Win98 startup menu hold the Ctrl key as the system boots and choose Safe Mode, then try a normal login and a couple of Office apps. (kozee.tweakdoctor.com)

If Safe Mode clears it, isolate the startup culprit with the System Configuration tool instead of random reboots: Start -> Run -> type msconfig, use the Startup tab to disable groups of items (binary‑search style: disable half, reboot, narrow down). That identifies the offending program without blind guessing. Keep a note of any changes so you can restore known‑good entries. (netsquirrel.com)

Because the trouble began after adding new security software, temporarily remove or fully uninstall that product for a test (don’t just “disable” drivers if an uninstall option is available). If removing it fixes the boot, reinstall a version that explicitly supports Win98/Office97 or check the vendor’s KB for known conflicts. Microsoft’s Win98 startup troubleshooting guidance explicitly recommends uninstalling newly added software when boot/shutdown problems start after an install. (pcreview.co.uk)

Finally, the Office shortcut functionality is provided by an Office startup helper that you can remove or reinstall via Add/Remove Programs (Change -> Add/Remove Features -> Office Tools -> Shortcut Bar) if the component itself is corrupted. The Office 97 Knowledge Base documents that helper and gives safe removal/reinstall paths — use that to restore just the shortcut‑bar component rather than a full reinstall. Also note the “Compatibility” property trick mentioned by applies to XP and later, not native Win98 compatibility settings. Back up any product keys and the registry before removals or edits. (ftp.zx.net.nz)

If these steps don’t isolate the cause, next actions are: check for bad VxDs/drivers, run ScanDisk/CHKDSK, or test with a clean Office reinstall (keep your installs/serials handy).

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Member Avatar for Catweazle

Moved to 'Windows Software' section.

Member Avatar for Montrell274

#1: you can remove it from startup
#2: Upgrade your version of Office

I haven't much advice for shortcut bar problems, but check to make sure that in the processes tab that a process named OSA.exe is running. I believe that is the office startup program. I don't konw how much help this is, but it is the best i can do.

Member Avatar for Member #991240

Something that works fine when Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar won't work like it did, is to click Task Manager [Ctrl + Alt + Del], find Microsoft Office, right-click and go to Properties. Once there, choose the Compatibility tab, and make sure you place a checkmark on "Run this program in Compatibility Mode for... " Next, do the same for All Users, by clicking on Show settings for all users, and place a checkmark on, "Run this program in Compatibility Mode"

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