save as command causes word to hang up

OK.  I tried your "run" solution and it did not help.  Then I tried the Microsoft solution and restarted the computer.  It still has the same problem.  Even when I use Task Manager to end VERCLSID.EXE I still have the same problem.

I am running Windows XP Media Center on a recent version of an HP Pavillion zd 8000.  I do not have an HP printer.  Mine is an Epson RX700 All in One.

Isnt there a way to return to the previous OS version or is there some other solution possible?

I want to add two other information items.  The problem only occurs witrh my external USB drive.  It does not occur on the C: drive.

I have a similar problem with Outlook.  If I try to save an attachment to the external drive, Outlook hangs up.

I have checked the sharing settings on the external drive and it is set to share to the maximum extent.

It gets worse.  I saved some photo attachments to the C: drive.  When I right click on the group of them to preview them, the hourglass appears for about twenty seconds then it just stops.  The menu that normally appears never appears.

Ignore what I said about the C drive.  It doesn't work either.  I also installed all the office updates.  Still the same problem.

HELP!!!

Well in that case maybe you've found another piece of software that conflicts. The solution will be the same, but the GUID (the long numbers in the command above) you need to add will be different.

First of all, uninstall the Hotfix from Add/Remove Programs "Security Update for Windows XP (KB908531)" to verify it definitely is this hotfix. If it works without, it is. Install it again though, because it's important.

Assuming it is definitely the hotfix, the next trick is finding the GUID.

Download and install this program: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html

From the list it produces, identify the shell extension relating to your epsom software. Right click the line and press Ctrl+C then paste here and we'll see what we can work out.

I removed Security Update for Windows XP (KB908531) and now my Office products work just fine.  It is totally irresponsible of Microsoft to issue this update in its present form.  I am sure they knew that it would cause Office to crash.  If they didn't, they are even more incompetent - it is their own software for God's sake!

I downloaded the software and sorted by company.  It did not find any shell extension from Epson.  Unfortunately, your system does not allow me to paste in the results.  If I had an email address, I could send it to you.