WD97: Spell Checker Doesn't Work (Old Keyboard Driver)

 Last reviewed: February 3, 1998
Article ID: Q163733
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to set a different default language, the default language in Word is continuously reset to "no proofing." Changing the default language has no effect.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if you have an old style keyboard driver installed on your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

When text is formatted for "no proofing," the proofing tools will skip over that text and not check it. The net effect is that words that should be marked as misspelled are not.

Word determines the default language based on the current keyboard driver that is in use. If the current keyboard driver is invalid or outdated, Word will set the default language for the documents as "no proofing."

If you have an outdated keyboard driver installed, you may get the following message when you check the keyboard settings in the Windows Control Panel: 

     Old style keyboard driver detected, pane disabled.
If you are using Windows 95 perform a quick test to see if the keyboard driver is the problem by starting Windows in Safe Mode.

NOTE: Starting Windows NT in VGA mode will not bypass the keyboard driver.

  1. Restart the computer.

  2. When you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, press F8.

  3. Select the Safe Mode option, and then press Enter.

    Windows starts and loads generic drivers.

  4. Start Word.

  5. On the Tools menu, click Language.

    If a language other than No Proofing is selected, then the currently installed keyboard driver is the problem and the user should contact their hardware manufacturer for an updated driver.

To determine what keyboard driver is loading, check the Keyboard setting using one of the following methods:

Method 1: Check the Windows Control Panel

  1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

  2. Double-click Keyboard.

  3. Click the General tab.

    The name of the keyboard driver appears in the Keyboard Type box.

Method 2: Check the System.ini

  1. Click the Start button, click Run, and type 'sysedit' (without the quotation marks).

  2. Click the system.ini window to bring it to the front.

  3. In the [boot] section will be a keyboard line that should say: 

          keyboard.drv = keyboard.drv

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q163057
   TITLE     : Unable to Change Default Language for New Documents

   ARTICLE-ID: Q141306
   TITLE     : How to Enable Support for Multiple Languages in
               Windows 95

Additional query words: speller red underline auto automatic checker
checking spellcheck proof
Keywords : kbproof kbusage kbfaq
Version : 97
Platform : WINDOWS
Hardware : x86
Issue type : kberrmsg

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Last reviewed: February 3, 1998
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