Whenever I open Screenwriter 2000 (4.x) or try to type, it says "Dictionary is damaged!"

The default dictionary file has become corrupted and needs to be deleted so that it can be rebuilt. Please follow the steps below. Any words that were learned into the default dictionary will have to be learned again.

To delete the dictionary file:

1. Exit out of Screenwriter completely (File > Exit).
2. Double click My Computer.
3. Double click Local Disk C:.
4. Double click the Program Files folder.
5. Double click the Movie Magic Screenwriter folder.
6. Right click the User_us.lxa file and click Delete.
7. Click Yes to delete.

NOTE FOR WINDOWS VISTA AND 7 USERS:  If you followed the steps above, and the error still comes up, please try the steps below.  The dictionary file is hidden by Windows in a special virtual folder.

1. Exit out of Screenwriter completely (File > Exit).
2. Double click My Computer.
3. Double click Local Disk C:.
4. Double click the Users folder.
5. Double click the folder that shows your username, e.g., "joesmith".  Sometimes it is called "owner".
6. Double click the AppData folder.
   
   NOTE: If you don't see the AppData folder, click on Organize > Folder and Search Options, then the View tab and enable "Show hidden files and folders".
   
   
7. Double click the Local folder.
8. Double click the Virtual Store folder.
9. Double click the Program Files folder.
10. Double click the Movie Magic Screenwriter folder.
11. Right click the User_us.lxa file and click Delete.
12. Click Yes to delete.

Possible prevention

First, follow the steps above in the Fixing the Dictionary File section.

One issue that can cause this issue to happen is if there is a soft (non-breaking) space next to a word that you have added to the document. Most of the time these soft spaces are inserted unintentionally using Shift+Spacebar rather than just the regular spacebar.

Tag: Movie Magic Screenwriter 4.x, Windows