Problem with embedded objects

From: JMF (jfavaro_at_tin.it)
Date: 03/15/04 

Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2004 11:02:56 +0100

Here's a puzzle. Suddenly a few days ago I discovered that I could no longer
embed and edit Microsoft Equation objects in Word. Nor could I embed and
edit Excel objects. This is new -- it was possible before.

The only thing that comes to mind that I might have changed is that I tried
installing WinZip 9.0, it came up with one of those dll files that "nobody
seems to want any more, do you want to delete it?" I *thought* I said "no,"
but I suppose there's a chance I didn't.

Anyway: the problem is not limited to Word/Office, since I also tried it in
WordPad. It gave me the same problem, saying "Failed to create object. Make
sure the application is entered in the system registry." Aha! That's the
first time I have even a clue as to how to go about searching for the
problem.

But I don't know anything about the registry, except enough to know that if
I mess it up, it's doomsday for me.

So I thought I'd first ask for an expert's advice on how to proceed to
investigate this problem. In general: what could it be that would suddenly
make it impossible to work with embedded objects? What kind of link is
"broken" that wasn't broken before?

Thanks for any help,

John