Bizarre Contribute message with Word and Excel

[Staplessoccer]

I've used Contribute for about five years. Suddenly, when I open either
Microsoft Excel or Word, I get a message saying "Windows installer preparing to
install Macromedia Contribute 3." I have to hit cancel 3 or 4 times to get rid
of the message; then Excel or Word opens without any further problems. This
happens all the time, with these 2 programs. I have no problem opening
Contribute the way I always have. Any ideas on how to get Excel and Word back
to normal?!

[ThinkInk]

Maybe disabling the office plugin will help:

[url]http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/webforums/forum/messageview.cfm?forumid=55&catid=290&threadid=1214 943&highlight_key=y&keyword1=toolbar[/url]

[Staplessoccer]

Didn't help. I never modified, changed or upgraded Contribute in any way. And it doesn't seem to be a toolbar issue, but rather Contribute 3 trying to install itself.

[campuniverisity]

Yes, I work for a university and we have several people with this same problem. They have just learned to deal with it, but it shouldn't be that way.

[Staplessoccer]

So how did the university folks deal with it?!

[campuniverisity]

We didn't. We spent way too much time trying to fix it and finally resigned to
the fact that we couldn't. We tried to contact support, but Adobe doesn't
provide support for Contribute 3. Everything still functions ok, but it is a
huge annoyance.

[Staplessoccer]

THANKS -- not the answer I wanted to hear, but in the grand scheme of computer issues, things could be a whole lot worse!

[samatproaccessories]

I call this CBS (Contribute Bastard Syndrome), the only way I fix it is you do
what it wants. I figured this out because if you let it go it says it wants to
read the install CD for some reason, well I put the CD in it does it's dance
and presto no more configure message. So when the window comes up next time
put in the Contribute CD, I've narrowed it down to it does this either when
there is a Flash update or Java update or both, so don't lose the CD!

Symptoms of CBS are the Contribute configuration window pops up when you:
1) Right click on anything in windows explorer
2) Open any Microsoft Office program
3) Paste anything in windows explorer

Different symptoms have happened to me for different updates so you may have
them all or one. There also may be more symptoms but these are the ones I have
experienced so far.

Cheers
Coleridge49

[Staplessoccer]

THANKS for the insights. The only problem is, I downloaded Contribute -- don't
have a CD! Here's how I'm solving the problem (don't laugh): I'm getting a
new computer. NO, not because of this issue -- it was just time.

[qdubb]

I have come across this issue as well with users and the resolution for me was
found here: [url]http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301[/url]. The Windows Cleanup
Utility has been the answer for me. I agree with samatproaccessories that the
issue appears to have something to do with Flash or Java updates. The only
time I have seen the problem re-occur is with a change with Flash, and that was
today.

[Unregistered]

I had same issue with word and excel 2010

Resolution -
File>Options>Ad Ins

There may be a Flashpaper add in toward the top of the screen.

In the selection box at the bottom, select "COM Add Ins" and click GO
Select Flash paper add in and choose remove, then OK

This worked for both excel and word for me.

Good luck.

Jeff