Troubleshooting Steps in Common Microsoft Office and Other Applications

Sometimes we encounter weird problems that appear from time to time while using our PCs or notebooks. As such, we've got to be armed and ready to carry out some diagnostic tasks to ensure that we eliminate 90% of the possible issues system wide. If these steps could not resolve the issue, I'd recommend re-format and re-install Windows as it'll be faster and more cost-effective to do that as re-install of Windows these days are pretty 'fast'.

Provided of course, you have all the drivers information, back-ed up data and all applications needed for the re-installation.

The troubleshooting for Common Microsoft Office or application issues especially when Windows gets cranky are:

1. Try to repeat the problem to find a pattern to the issue. 
2. If you're able to, that's good because we'll rely on the pattern to troubleshoot the issue
3. General guideline for troubleshooting for Ms Office issues
4. Go with Microsoft way of i-fix it at http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/ 

If i-fix it can't fix it, then:

1. find out when the problem occured, and 
2. then try to perform a system restore to (Before the problem happened).

If there's no system restore, go with these steps: (outlined here) 
Basically in summary, it's run the diagnostic tool that comes free with Ms Office, from 2007 on-wards. Location of fix tool is in Programs > Microsoft Office  > Microsoft Office Tools > Microsoft Office Diagnostics.

Run all the diagnostics to ensure that the Ms Office installation and system is well.

In the event where there is no system restore and no diagnostics - (Tough luck) 
Or, the system diagnosis stated that all is well....

1. run registry repair using Ccleaner, backup registry first using the ccleaner tool, save it to my-docs folder
2. go to add-remove programs, perform repair of the Microsoft Office
3. restart system and run all ms office updates and windows updates

I believe this should resolve 90% of all Microsoft Office issues. Do let me know if you have comments or improvements!