Installation FAQ

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How can I install OpenOffice.org without administrative privileges or without system integration?

If you do not have administrator privileges or if you do not wish any system integration (which means file associations and menu shortcuts), see Alternative Installation of OpenOffice.org for Windows.

When trying to install OpenOffice.org I get a message about a missing library. How can I solve this?

This message generally means that you have a file which got corrupted during download. To verify this you can use the md5sum utility as described on the download page. This tool generates a checksum that you can cross check with the value on the download server.

Why does the OOo install ask for Unicows.dll?

The Unicows.dll file is a library needed for Windows95, Windows98, and Windows ME operating systems to work with international characters. It was needed for a time with early versions of OpenOffice 1.1 development series (1.1beta1, 1.1beta2, 1.1rc1 and 1.1rc2 ). It is included in the download for OpenOffice 1.1 and later versions. You do not need this DLL file if you have Windows NT or Windows XP.

Can I install OpenOffice.org on a Terminal Server?

Yes, use the install.exe -net command to do the initial server install.

Then use the installed OpenOffice.org setup.exe program to set up Workstation installations for each individual user. This can be a long process. It is possible to create a response file so that the installation is done automatically through a logon profile next time your users log into the system.

For more information:

The installer is looking for Java. Does it really need it to work correctly?

Java is not needed for OpenOffice.org to work correctly. However there will be some features which will not be available without it. For example, with 1.1 you will not be able to use the XSLT functionality, JDBC, applets, form generators, and Java Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for 3rd party modules, if no Java is installed.

For more information:

The installer is looking for Java. Where do I find it?

You can download Java from http://www.java.com or http://java.sun.com.

Which version of Java do I need?

The release notes should be able to tell you that information.

Java is installed, but why isn't it recognized?

Are you sure that you have the right version of Java installed? Please check the release notes for the version of OpenOffice.org you have installed.

When you have verified that you do have the right version of Java on your system, and it is still not recognized, you can manually insert the path in the relevant Java dialog during OOo installation.

After installation of OpenOffice.org, if Java is still not recognized, click Tools > Options > OpenOffice.org > Java. The OpenOffice.org Java window will open. In the box under "Java is already installed", highlight the version of Java installed. Click Add. Java will now be recognized by OpenOffice.org. You may have to repeat this step when you update Java Runtime Environment.

Can I install Java after I install OpenOffice.org?

Yes, you can run the program jvmsetup which can be found in the program folder of your OpenOffice.org installation.

How to convert files created with SRC680 snapshot builds, prior to m64, to the 2.0beta and later format?

Documents saved with SRC680 builds, prior to m64, cannot be opened by 2.0Beta or later. This especially applies to Writer documents. To be able to open them, files need to be coverted. Convert each file using the following procedure:

  1. Create a backup of the document.
  2. Rename the document to a file with the same name but an extensions that has the 2nd "o" replaced with a "d". For instance, test.oot becomes test.odt. For drawing documents, use the extension "odg". For templates,only the extension of drawing templates has to be changed to "otg".
  3. Unzip the sub documents "mimetype" and "META-INF/manifest.xml" from the document using an arbitrary zip tool.
  4. Within the unzipped "mimetype" and "META-INF/manifest.xml" files, replace all occurencies of "x-vnd.oasis.openoffice" with "vnd.oasis.opendocument".
  5. Add the "mimetype" file uncompressed to the document.
  6. Add "META-INF/manifest.xml" to the document.
  7. Load the document into OpenOffice.org and resave it.
For example, you have a file called 'test.oot' on Unix/Solaris. Use the following commands to convert the file:
$ cp test.oot test.odt
$ unzip test.odt mimetype META-INF/manifest.xml
$ mv mimetype mimetype.bak
$ sed -e"s/x-vnd\.oasis\.openoffice/vnd.oasis.opendocument/" mimetype.bak >mimetype
$ zip -0 test.odt mimetype
$ mv META-INF/manifest.xml META-INF/manifest.xml.bak
$ sed -e"s/x-vnd\.oasis\.openoffice/vnd.oasis.opendocument/" META-INF/manifest.xml.bak >META-INF/manifest.xml
$ zip test.odt META-INF/manifest.xml
$ [start OpenOffice.org, load file and save it again]

See also: 1.9 m65 Snapshot Release Notes

How to fix FC3 error error while loading shared libraries: /<path_to_openoffice.org_install_directory>/program/libicudata.so.26: cannot restore segment prot after reloc: Permission denied?

  1. cd into /etc/selinux/targeted/contexts/files
  2. Create a backup of file_contexts. NOTE: do not overwrite file_contexts.rpmnew
  3. Download the patch and only use it as a model as SELinux under FC3 is being updated too frequently for the patch to be used as is. The contents are correct for installs in /opt and /usr/local. NOTE: you may have to edit file_contexts if OOo is not installed in either /opt or /usr/local.
  4. Execute setfiles -l -vv -F file_contexts /usr/local/OpenOffice.org*/program/ for /usr/local/ installations.
  5. Execute setfiles -l -vv -F file_contexts /opt for OOo installations.
  6. Reboot if necessary.
  7. If all else fails, disable SELinux and reboot.

Why is Java needed in OpenOffice.org?

Java is necessary for use of the following in OpenOffice.org:

  • JDBC drivers
  • Using the XSLT, flat XML filters
  • Using Java applets in OpenOffice.org
  • Using Java-based languages in the scripting framework
  • Java Application Interface (API) programs for 3rdparty modules
  • Autopilot/wizard form generators
  • All accessibility functions
  • The OpenOffice.org testtool and QaTestDev programs

See also: The installer is looking for Java. Does it really need it to work correctly?

How can I add fonts to OpenOffice?

Exit OpenOffice and then run the spadmin program (located in your OpenOffice.org directory) and click on the “Fonts” button. The above information may work on some operating systems but it does not work on MacOS X Tiger PPC.

How do I improve the fonts (they look ugly)?

The font trouble shooting guide should be able to help you.

Why am I seeing squares instead of the desired language characters?

Whenever squares are shown instead of the desired characters, it is a sign that a required font is not been used. The right font may not be installed in the system or the wrong font, which does not contain the required characters, is assigned to the text.

To solve the problem, first ensure that the required font is installed in the system. Second, set the locale and fonts in Tools-Options-Language Settings-Language and Tools-Options-OpenOffice.org Writer [Drawing, Impress, etc]-Basic Fonts (Western, Asian).

Can I change the measurement units from centimeters to inches?

Yes, but it is slightly different between the components :

  • For Writer: "Tools" => "Options" and then "Text Document" => "General" => "Settings"
  • For Calc: "Tools" => "Options" and then "Spreadsheet" => "General" => "Metrics"
  • For Impress: "Tools" => "Options" and then "Presentation" => "General" => "Settings"

You can also change the settings by clicking the right mouse button on the ruler at the top of the page.

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