On an x64-based version of Windows, two instances of the print properties dialog box open, or Word stops responding when you try to access the printer properties, and you cannot print

Symptom 1

Consider the following scenario. You run a 32-bit program on a computer that is running one of the following operating systems:

• An x64-based version of Microsoft Windows Server 2003
• An x64-based version of Microsoft Windows XP
• A 64-bit version of Windows Vista

You open the Print dialog box, and then double-click the Properties button for the printer. Notice that in this scenario you click the Properties button two times.

In this scenario, two instances of the printer Properties dialog box open. Then, if you make changes in one of the dialog boxes and then click OK, the program may stop responding (hang) for about 10 seconds. Then, the second dialog box may stop responding. Additionally, when you click the X on the title bar to close the printer Properties dialog box, you receive the following error message: When you click End Now, the Print dialog box appears, and you can access the program. However, you cannot print.

Symptom 2

Consider the following scenario. You run Microsoft Word on a computer that is running one of the following operating systems:

• An x64-based version of Windows Server 2003
• An x64-based version of Windows XP
• A 64-bit version of Windows Vista

You open the Print dialog box, you click Properties for the printer, and then you press ESC two times. Notice that in this scenario you press the ESC button on the keyboard two times.

In this scenario, Word may stop responding (hang). When you try to close Word, you receive the following error message:

Workaround for Symptom 1

To work around this problem, you must close the program, and then you must restart the program.

Note To avoid this problem, click the Properties button for the printer only one time.

Workaround for Symptom 2

To work around this problem, follow these steps:

1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
2. Do one of the following:
   • If you are running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, click Task Manager.
   • If you are running Windows Vista, click Start Task Manager.
3. Click the Processes tab.
4. Click the Winword.exe process.
5. Click End Process, and then click Yes or End process.

Note To avoid this problem, press ESC only one time, or click the Close button (X) to close the Print dialog box.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information about the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 and of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: