Potential MAJOR bug in KB969604?

KB969604 for Word 2007 was released on 6/8 and was installed on my machine a
couple days ago. Since then, any time I save a document in Word 2007, any
document variables in the document become corrupt. If I uninstall KB969604
then the problem goes away. When I reinstall KB969604 the problem comes back.

With KB969604 uninstalled, doc variables are properly saved in the
settings.xml file as below:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar" w:val="This is a test value for a
variable"//w:docVars

However, with KB969604 installed, doc variables become corrupted when saved.
For example:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar"
w:val="d???_?????????Ä?????????????"//w:docVars

We've been able to reproduce this on multiple machines.

You can use the steps below to reproduce this:

* See if this KB is installed (it was released on 6/8) ... if not, it can be
installed from he

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

* Open a Word 2007 doc and create a doc variable ... you can do this by
creating a simple macro from the Developer tab, then execute the macro ...
the macro just needs to be this:

Sub Macro1()
ActiveDocument.Variables.Add Name:="MyVar", Value:="This is a test value
for a variable"
End Sub

* Save and close your doc ... change the file extension to "zip" and unzip
it ... open the "~/word/settings.xml" file and see if your variable is valid
or not.

* If it's corrupted, then uninstall the KB from Add/Remove programs (make
sure the "Show updates" checkbox is selected at the top of the dialog).

* Repeat the above steps with a new doc and see if your variable is corrupted.

If this is a defect, then it's a major one as all doc variables become
corrupted on save. Note that the variables only become corrupted on save ...
in memory, the variables are fine ... it's only when the docx is written out
that they become corrupted.

Can others reproduce this?

This is a known bug and has been reported.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

"ThirtySix Software" ThirtySix wrote in
message ...
KB969604 for Word 2007 was released on 6/8 and was installed on my machine
a
couple days ago. Since then, any time I save a document in Word 2007, any
document variables in the document become corrupt. If I uninstall KB969604
then the problem goes away. When I reinstall KB969604 the problem comes
back.

With KB969604 uninstalled, doc variables are properly saved in the
settings.xml file as below:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar" w:val="This is a test value for a
variable"//w:docVars

However, with KB969604 installed, doc variables become corrupted when
saved.
For example:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar"
w:val="d???_?????????Ä?????????????"//w:docVars

We've been able to reproduce this on multiple machines.

You can use the steps below to reproduce this:

* See if this KB is installed (it was released on 6/8) ... if not, it can
be
installed from he

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

* Open a Word 2007 doc and create a doc variable ... you can do this by
creating a simple macro from the Developer tab, then execute the macro ...
the macro just needs to be this:

Sub Macro1()
ActiveDocument.Variables.Add Name:="MyVar", Value:="This is a test
value
for a variable"
End Sub

* Save and close your doc ... change the file extension to "zip" and unzip
it ... open the "~/word/settings.xml" file and see if your variable is
valid
or not.

* If it's corrupted, then uninstall the KB from Add/Remove programs (make
sure the "Show updates" checkbox is selected at the top of the dialog).

* Repeat the above steps with a new doc and see if your variable is
corrupted.

If this is a defect, then it's a major one as all doc variables become
corrupted on save. Note that the variables only become corrupted on save
...
in memory, the variables are fine ... it's only when the docx is written
out
that they become corrupted.

Can others reproduce this?

Yes, it is known -- at least out here in the world outside the Microsoft campus.

We reported this bug last month when the suspect part of the update was
available only as a hotfix (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969961). That report
is still open and unacknowledged. Despite that report, the hotfix evidently was
rolled into the security update's general release.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so all
may benefit.

On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:26:01 -0700, ThirtySix Software ThirtySix
wrote:

KB969604 for Word 2007 was released on 6/8 and was installed on my machine a
couple days ago. Since then, any time I save a document in Word 2007, any
document variables in the document become corrupt. If I uninstall KB969604
then the problem goes away. When I reinstall KB969604 the problem comes back.

With KB969604 uninstalled, doc variables are properly saved in the
settings.xml file as below:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar" w:val="This is a test value for a
variable"//w:docVars

However, with KB969604 installed, doc variables become corrupted when saved.
For example:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar"
w:val="d???_?????????Ä?????????????"//w:docVars

We've been able to reproduce this on multiple machines.

You can use the steps below to reproduce this:

* See if this KB is installed (it was released on 6/8) ... if not, it can be
installed from he

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

* Open a Word 2007 doc and create a doc variable ... you can do this by
creating a simple macro from the Developer tab, then execute the macro ...
the macro just needs to be this:

Sub Macro1()
ActiveDocument.Variables.Add Name:="MyVar", Value:="This is a test value
for a variable"
End Sub

* Save and close your doc ... change the file extension to "zip" and unzip
it ... open the "~/word/settings.xml" file and see if your variable is valid
or not.

* If it's corrupted, then uninstall the KB from Add/Remove programs (make
sure the "Show updates" checkbox is selected at the top of the dialog).

* Repeat the above steps with a new doc and see if your variable is corrupted.

If this is a defect, then it's a major one as all doc variables become
corrupted on save. Note that the variables only become corrupted on save ...
in memory, the variables are fine ... it's only when the docx is written out
that they become corrupted.

Can others reproduce this?

Suzanne/Jay - Thanks for the reply.

This really sucks, as we have add-ins that we have developed that rely on
doc variables for data storage. Any recommendations for how we can push MS on
this? Is there a defect logged out there somewhere that we can chime in on,
as this will impact all of our clients.


"Jay Freedman" wrote:

Yes, it is known -- at least out here in the world outside the Microsoft campus.

We reported this bug last month when the suspect part of the update was
available only as a hotfix (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969961). That report
is still open and unacknowledged. Despite that report, the hotfix evidently was
rolled into the security update's general release.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so all
may benefit.

On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:26:01 -0700, ThirtySix Software ThirtySix
wrote:

KB969604 for Word 2007 was released on 6/8 and was installed on my machine a
couple days ago. Since then, any time I save a document in Word 2007, any
document variables in the document become corrupt. If I uninstall KB969604
then the problem goes away. When I reinstall KB969604 the problem comes back.

With KB969604 uninstalled, doc variables are properly saved in the
settings.xml file as below:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar" w:val="This is a test value for a
variable"//w:docVars

However, with KB969604 installed, doc variables become corrupted when saved.
For example:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar"
w:val="d???_?????????Ä?????????????"//w:docVars

We've been able to reproduce this on multiple machines.

You can use the steps below to reproduce this:

* See if this KB is installed (it was released on 6/8) ... if not, it can be
installed from he

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

* Open a Word 2007 doc and create a doc variable ... you can do this by
creating a simple macro from the Developer tab, then execute the macro ...
the macro just needs to be this:

Sub Macro1()
ActiveDocument.Variables.Add Name:="MyVar", Value:="This is a test value
for a variable"
End Sub

* Save and close your doc ... change the file extension to "zip" and unzip
it ... open the "~/word/settings.xml" file and see if your variable is valid
or not.

* If it's corrupted, then uninstall the KB from Add/Remove programs (make
sure the "Show updates" checkbox is selected at the top of the dialog).

* Repeat the above steps with a new doc and see if your variable is corrupted.

If this is a defect, then it's a major one as all doc variables become
corrupted on save. Note that the variables only become corrupted on save ...
in memory, the variables are fine ... it's only when the docx is written out
that they become corrupted.

Can others reproduce this?

Affecting us, too. Extremely serious. Anyone know how to beat on Microsoft's
door.

"Jay Freedman" wrote:

Yes, it is known -- at least out here in the world outside the Microsoft campus.

We reported this bug last month when the suspect part of the update was
available only as a hotfix (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969961). That report
is still open and unacknowledged. Despite that report, the hotfix evidently was
rolled into the security update's general release.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so all
may benefit.

On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:26:01 -0700, ThirtySix Software ThirtySix
wrote:

KB969604 for Word 2007 was released on 6/8 and was installed on my machine a
couple days ago. Since then, any time I save a document in Word 2007, any
document variables in the document become corrupt. If I uninstall KB969604
then the problem goes away. When I reinstall KB969604 the problem comes back.

With KB969604 uninstalled, doc variables are properly saved in the
settings.xml file as below:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar" w:val="This is a test value for a
variable"//w:docVars

However, with KB969604 installed, doc variables become corrupted when saved.
For example:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar"
w:val="d???_?????????Ä?????????????"//w:docVars

We've been able to reproduce this on multiple machines.

You can use the steps below to reproduce this:

* See if this KB is installed (it was released on 6/8) ... if not, it can be
installed from he

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

* Open a Word 2007 doc and create a doc variable ... you can do this by
creating a simple macro from the Developer tab, then execute the macro ...
the macro just needs to be this:

Sub Macro1()
ActiveDocument.Variables.Add Name:="MyVar", Value:="This is a test value
for a variable"
End Sub

* Save and close your doc ... change the file extension to "zip" and unzip
it ... open the "~/word/settings.xml" file and see if your variable is valid
or not.

* If it's corrupted, then uninstall the KB from Add/Remove programs (make
sure the "Show updates" checkbox is selected at the top of the dialog).

* Repeat the above steps with a new doc and see if your variable is corrupted.

If this is a defect, then it's a major one as all doc variables become
corrupted on save. Note that the variables only become corrupted on save ...
in memory, the variables are fine ... it's only when the docx is written out
that they become corrupted.

Can others reproduce this?

You can try submitting a nastygram through
https://feedback.office.microsoft.co...ice2007&scrx=1.
I don't know whether that goes to the same people who appear to be ignoring us.
I have already added your post to the comments section of the existing report on
the hotfix. I'll look for other ways to escalate the problem and at least get a
response.

On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:38:01 -0700, ThirtySix Software
wrote:

Suzanne/Jay - Thanks for the reply.

This really sucks, as we have add-ins that we have developed that rely on
doc variables for data storage. Any recommendations for how we can push MS on
this? Is there a defect logged out there somewhere that we can chime in on,
as this will impact all of our clients.


"Jay Freedman" wrote:

Yes, it is known -- at least out here in the world outside the Microsoft campus.

We reported this bug last month when the suspect part of the update was
available only as a hotfix (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969961). That report
is still open and unacknowledged. Despite that report, the hotfix evidently was
rolled into the security update's general release.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so all
may benefit.

On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:26:01 -0700, ThirtySix Software ThirtySix
wrote:

KB969604 for Word 2007 was released on 6/8 and was installed on my machine a
couple days ago. Since then, any time I save a document in Word 2007, any
document variables in the document become corrupt. If I uninstall KB969604
then the problem goes away. When I reinstall KB969604 the problem comes back.

With KB969604 uninstalled, doc variables are properly saved in the
settings.xml file as below:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar" w:val="This is a test value for a
variable"//w:docVars

However, with KB969604 installed, doc variables become corrupted when saved.
For example:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar"
w:val="d???_?????????Ä?????????????"//w:docVars

We've been able to reproduce this on multiple machines.

You can use the steps below to reproduce this:

* See if this KB is installed (it was released on 6/8) ... if not, it can be
installed from he

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

* Open a Word 2007 doc and create a doc variable ... you can do this by
creating a simple macro from the Developer tab, then execute the macro ...
the macro just needs to be this:

Sub Macro1()
ActiveDocument.Variables.Add Name:="MyVar", Value:="This is a test value
for a variable"
End Sub

* Save and close your doc ... change the file extension to "zip" and unzip
it ... open the "~/word/settings.xml" file and see if your variable is valid
or not.

* If it's corrupted, then uninstall the KB from Add/Remove programs (make
sure the "Show updates" checkbox is selected at the top of the dialog).

* Repeat the above steps with a new doc and see if your variable is corrupted.

If this is a defect, then it's a major one as all doc variables become
corrupted on save. Note that the variables only become corrupted on save ...
in memory, the variables are fine ... it's only when the docx is written out
that they become corrupted.

Can others reproduce this?

Maybe we should get as many people as possible to submit the following
feedback via
https://feedback.office.microsoft.co...e2007&scrx=1.:

Security Update KB969604 corrupts Document Variables!

The impact of the bug is well stated in the thread starting with Message-ID:
in
microsoft.public.word.docmanagement ("Potential MAJOR bug in KB969604").

--
Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP, originally posted via msnews.microsoft.com
"Jay Freedman" wrote in message
...
You can try submitting a nastygram through
https://feedback.office.microsoft.co...ice2007&scrx=1.
I don't know whether that goes to the same people who appear to be
ignoring us.
I have already added your post to the comments section of the existing
report on
the hotfix. I'll look for other ways to escalate the problem and at least
get a
response.

On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:38:01 -0700, ThirtySix Software
wrote:

Suzanne/Jay - Thanks for the reply.

This really sucks, as we have add-ins that we have developed that rely on
doc variables for data storage. Any recommendations for how we can push MS
on
this? Is there a defect logged out there somewhere that we can chime in
on,
as this will impact all of our clients.


"Jay Freedman" wrote:

Yes, it is known -- at least out here in the world outside the Microsoft
campus.

We reported this bug last month when the suspect part of the update was
available only as a hotfix (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969961).
That report
is still open and unacknowledged. Despite that report, the hotfix
evidently was
rolled into the security update's general release.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the
newsgroup so all
may benefit.

On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:26:01 -0700, ThirtySix Software ThirtySix
wrote:

KB969604 for Word 2007 was released on 6/8 and was installed on my
machine a
couple days ago. Since then, any time I save a document in Word 2007,
any
document variables in the document become corrupt. If I uninstall
KB969604
then the problem goes away. When I reinstall KB969604 the problem comes
back.

With KB969604 uninstalled, doc variables are properly saved in the
settings.xml file as below:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar" w:val="This is a test value for a
variable"//w:docVars

However, with KB969604 installed, doc variables become corrupted when
saved.
For example:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar"
w:val="d???_?????????Ä?????????????"//w:docVars

We've been able to reproduce this on multiple machines.

You can use the steps below to reproduce this:

* See if this KB is installed (it was released on 6/8) ... if not, it
can be
installed from he

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

* Open a Word 2007 doc and create a doc variable ... you can do this by
creating a simple macro from the Developer tab, then execute the macro
...
the macro just needs to be this:

Sub Macro1()
ActiveDocument.Variables.Add Name:="MyVar", Value:="This is a test
value
for a variable"
End Sub

* Save and close your doc ... change the file extension to "zip" and
unzip
it ... open the "~/word/settings.xml" file and see if your variable is
valid
or not.

* If it's corrupted, then uninstall the KB from Add/Remove programs
(make
sure the "Show updates" checkbox is selected at the top of the dialog).

* Repeat the above steps with a new doc and see if your variable is
corrupted.

If this is a defect, then it's a major one as all doc variables become
corrupted on save. Note that the variables only become corrupted on
save ...
in memory, the variables are fine ... it's only when the docx is
written out
that they become corrupted.

Can others reproduce this?

This is not a "Potential Major bug" it is very real and very Major. It will
be affecting 1000's of applications world wide. This update needs to be
withdrawn by Microsoft immediately.


"DavidP" wrote:

Affecting us, too. Extremely serious. Anyone know how to beat on Microsoft's
door.

"Jay Freedman" wrote:

Yes, it is known -- at least out here in the world outside the Microsoft campus.

We reported this bug last month when the suspect part of the update was
available only as a hotfix (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969961). That report
is still open and unacknowledged. Despite that report, the hotfix evidently was
rolled into the security update's general release.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so all
may benefit.

On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:26:01 -0700, ThirtySix Software ThirtySix
wrote:

KB969604 for Word 2007 was released on 6/8 and was installed on my machine a
couple days ago. Since then, any time I save a document in Word 2007, any
document variables in the document become corrupt. If I uninstall KB969604
then the problem goes away. When I reinstall KB969604 the problem comes back.

With KB969604 uninstalled, doc variables are properly saved in the
settings.xml file as below:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar" w:val="This is a test value for a
variable"//w:docVars

However, with KB969604 installed, doc variables become corrupted when saved.
For example:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar"
w:val="d???_?????????Ä?????????????"//w:docVars

We've been able to reproduce this on multiple machines.

You can use the steps below to reproduce this:

* See if this KB is installed (it was released on 6/8) ... if not, it can be
installed from he

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

* Open a Word 2007 doc and create a doc variable ... you can do this by
creating a simple macro from the Developer tab, then execute the macro ...
the macro just needs to be this:

Sub Macro1()
ActiveDocument.Variables.Add Name:="MyVar", Value:="This is a test value
for a variable"
End Sub

* Save and close your doc ... change the file extension to "zip" and unzip
it ... open the "~/word/settings.xml" file and see if your variable is valid
or not.

* If it's corrupted, then uninstall the KB from Add/Remove programs (make
sure the "Show updates" checkbox is selected at the top of the dialog).

* Repeat the above steps with a new doc and see if your variable is corrupted.

If this is a defect, then it's a major one as all doc variables become
corrupted on save. Note that the variables only become corrupted on save ...
in memory, the variables are fine ... it's only when the docx is written out
that they become corrupted.

Can others reproduce this?

Thanks to all for the replies.

If anyone has a URL to an official bug/issue report that has been submitted
to MS please let me know. I'd like to point some folks to this if possible.


"Jay Freedman" wrote:

You can try submitting a nastygram through
https://feedback.office.microsoft.co...ice2007&scrx=1.
I don't know whether that goes to the same people who appear to be ignoring us.
I have already added your post to the comments section of the existing report on
the hotfix. I'll look for other ways to escalate the problem and at least get a
response.

On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:38:01 -0700, ThirtySix Software
wrote:

Suzanne/Jay - Thanks for the reply.

This really sucks, as we have add-ins that we have developed that rely on
doc variables for data storage. Any recommendations for how we can push MS on
this? Is there a defect logged out there somewhere that we can chime in on,
as this will impact all of our clients.


"Jay Freedman" wrote:

Yes, it is known -- at least out here in the world outside the Microsoft campus.

We reported this bug last month when the suspect part of the update was
available only as a hotfix (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969961). That report
is still open and unacknowledged. Despite that report, the hotfix evidently was
rolled into the security update's general release.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so all
may benefit.

On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:26:01 -0700, ThirtySix Software ThirtySix
wrote:

KB969604 for Word 2007 was released on 6/8 and was installed on my machine a
couple days ago. Since then, any time I save a document in Word 2007, any
document variables in the document become corrupt. If I uninstall KB969604
then the problem goes away. When I reinstall KB969604 the problem comes back.

With KB969604 uninstalled, doc variables are properly saved in the
settings.xml file as below:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar" w:val="This is a test value for a
variable"//w:docVars

However, with KB969604 installed, doc variables become corrupted when saved.
For example:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar"
w:val="d???_?????????Ä?????????????"//w:docVars

We've been able to reproduce this on multiple machines.

You can use the steps below to reproduce this:

* See if this KB is installed (it was released on 6/8) ... if not, it can be
installed from he

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

* Open a Word 2007 doc and create a doc variable ... you can do this by
creating a simple macro from the Developer tab, then execute the macro ...
the macro just needs to be this:

Sub Macro1()
ActiveDocument.Variables.Add Name:="MyVar", Value:="This is a test value
for a variable"
End Sub

* Save and close your doc ... change the file extension to "zip" and unzip
it ... open the "~/word/settings.xml" file and see if your variable is valid
or not.

* If it's corrupted, then uninstall the KB from Add/Remove programs (make
sure the "Show updates" checkbox is selected at the top of the dialog).

* Repeat the above steps with a new doc and see if your variable is corrupted.

If this is a defect, then it's a major one as all doc variables become
corrupted on save. Note that the variables only become corrupted on save ...
in memory, the variables are fine ... it's only when the docx is written out
that they become corrupted.

Can others reproduce this?

FYI, I got this reply from MS on the Partner forum:


Dear Partner,

Thank you for posting in our Partner Online Technical Community.

From your description, I understand that any document variables in the
document become corrupt after installing the update KB969604 for Word 2007.
The document variables become normal after uninstalling the update KB969604.
If there has been any misunderstanding, please let me know.

I am sorry for any inconvenience you have encountered. According to the
steps you listed, I am able to reproduce the issue after installing the
update KB969604 on my test machine. To address your concern, I have sent an
email to our Product Team to report this issue.

In the meantime, you are also welcomed to provide your feedback directly to
the product groups via the link below:

https://support.microsoft.com/common...2fcontac t%2f

If there is any update, I will post it in the community.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best regards,

Steven Du
Partner Online Technical Community



"Chris" wrote:

This is not a "Potential Major bug" it is very real and very Major. It will
be affecting 1000's of applications world wide. This update needs to be
withdrawn by Microsoft immediately.


"DavidP" wrote:

Affecting us, too. Extremely serious. Anyone know how to beat on Microsoft's
door.

"Jay Freedman" wrote:

Yes, it is known -- at least out here in the world outside the Microsoft campus.

We reported this bug last month when the suspect part of the update was
available only as a hotfix (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969961). That report
is still open and unacknowledged. Despite that report, the hotfix evidently was
rolled into the security update's general release.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so all
may benefit.

On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:26:01 -0700, ThirtySix Software ThirtySix
wrote:

KB969604 for Word 2007 was released on 6/8 and was installed on my machine a
couple days ago. Since then, any time I save a document in Word 2007, any
document variables in the document become corrupt. If I uninstall KB969604
then the problem goes away. When I reinstall KB969604 the problem comes back.

With KB969604 uninstalled, doc variables are properly saved in the
settings.xml file as below:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar" w:val="This is a test value for a
variable"//w:docVars

However, with KB969604 installed, doc variables become corrupted when saved.
For example:

w:docVarsw:docVar w:name="MyVar"
w:val="d???_?????????Ä?????????????"//w:docVars

We've been able to reproduce this on multiple machines.

You can use the steps below to reproduce this:

* See if this KB is installed (it was released on 6/8) ... if not, it can be
installed from he

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

* Open a Word 2007 doc and create a doc variable ... you can do this by
creating a simple macro from the Developer tab, then execute the macro ...
the macro just needs to be this:

Sub Macro1()
ActiveDocument.Variables.Add Name:="MyVar", Value:="This is a test value
for a variable"
End Sub

* Save and close your doc ... change the file extension to "zip" and unzip
it ... open the "~/word/settings.xml" file and see if your variable is valid
or not.

* If it's corrupted, then uninstall the KB from Add/Remove programs (make
sure the "Show updates" checkbox is selected at the top of the dialog).

* Repeat the above steps with a new doc and see if your variable is corrupted.

If this is a defect, then it's a major one as all doc variables become
corrupted on save. Note that the variables only become corrupted on save ...
in memory, the variables are fine ... it's only when the docx is written out
that they become corrupted.

Can others reproduce this?