Technical Support Note 17

Sign-It! Macro with MS AntiVirus Protection

Issue:

When installing the Sign-It! Macro, after clicking OK to install nothing happens. The macro fails to install because of the macro antivirus protection feature in Word 97 that prevents the Normal.dot file from being modified.

Solution:

Microsoft’s web site (www.microsoft.com/office/antivirus/office/word/normaldot.htm) includes a document macro which turns on the antivirus protection feature. This feature can also be turned on manually via the Visual Basic Editor provided with Word 97.

The protection feature password protects the normal.dot file and requests the password when the normal.dot is edited. However, running the SignWd97.dot macro file does not cause a request for a password nor is the Sign-It macro installed. To temporarily disable the protection feature perform the following steps.

1.   In the Tools menu, point to Macro and click Visual Basic Editor

2.   In the View menu (in Visual Basic Editor), click Project Explorer

3.   In the Project Explorer window, click on the Normal item with the right mouse button and click Normal Properties. You will be asked for the password. Enter the password.

4.   Click on the Protection tab and deselect the Lock project for viewing checkbox.

5.   In the File menu, click on Close and return to MS Word to close the Visual Basic Editor.

6.   Load the SignWd97.dot file to install the Sign-It! Macro. When the warning about embedded macros dialog box appears, click on EnableMacros to continue.

7.   To restore the macro virus protection, repeat the above steps and turn on the Lock project for viewing checkbox. You must then reboot your system for the protection to be enabled.