This would most likely be a bad TrueType font, which are usually
installed in /usr/share/fonts.  It could also be a font  that is
sufficiently unusual that OOo doesn't know about its structure.

So, could you:
1) From a terminal, type "strace /usr/bin/oowriter" without the quotes
and hit return
2) Take the last 100 lines or so, and post them to this bug report

Thanks!
Dan

I tried it and terminal showed showed this message:


ioctl(6, FIONREAD, [0])                 = 0
write(6, "\2\6\4\0\27\0\200\3\0@\0\0\23\0\200\3", 16) = 16
select(7, [4 6], NULL, [6], NULL)       = 1 (in [6])
select(7, [6], NULL, [], {0, 0})        = 1 (in [6], left {0, 0})
ioctl(6, FIONREAD, [32])                = 0
read(6, "\4\1\216\33\32\241\206\1}\0\0\0\27\0\200\3\0\0\0\0\f\2"...,
32) = 32
gettimeofday({1078422960, 855597}, NULL) = 0
write(5, "\0", 1)                       = 1
write(6,
"\33\6\2\0\0\0\0\0;\3\5\0%\0\200\3\0\0\0\0\227\0Y\0F\0\31"..., 640) = 640
read(6, 0xbff86c64, 32)                 = -1 EAGAIN (Resource
temporarily unavailable)
select(7, [6], NULL, NULL, NULL)        = 1 (in [6])
read(6, "\1\0\252\33\0\0\0\0x\330\356\277\223\307\v\10p\264\237"...,
32) = 32
gettimeofday({1078422960, 900165}, NULL) = 0
write(6, "\2\6\4\0\27\0\200\3\0@\0\0\23\0\200\3\36\0\4\0\23\0\200"...,
32) = 32
select(7, [4 6], NULL, [6], NULL)       = 1 (in [4])
read(4, "\0", 4)                        = 1
read(4, 0xbff87240, 4)                  = -1 EAGAIN (Resource
temporarily unavailable)
select(7, [4 6], NULL, [6], NULL)       = 1 (in [6])
select(7, [6], NULL, [], {0, 0})        = 1 (in [6], left {0, 0})
ioctl(6, FIONREAD, [32])                = 0
read(6, "\5\1\254\33\252\241\206\1}\0\0\0\27\0\200\3\0\0\0\0\f\2"...,
32) = 32
gettimeofday({1078422961, 7422}, NULL)  = 0
write(6, "\33\6\2\0\0\0\0\0\33@\2\0\0\0\0\0", 16) = 16
write(5, "\0", 1)                       = 1
rt_sigaction(SIGABRT, {SIG_DFL}, NULL, 8) = 0
write(2, "\n\nFatal exception: Signal 11\n", 29
 
Fatal exception: Signal 11
) = 29
write(2, "Stack:\n", 7Stack:
)                 = 7
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libsa"..., 38}, {"[0x", 3},
{"bc4614", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
4/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libsal.so.3[0xbc4614]
) = 49
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libsa"..., 38}, {"[0x", 3},
{"bc47a1", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
4/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libsal.so.3[0xbc47a1]
) = 49
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libsa"..., 38}, {"[0x", 3},
{"bc486a", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
4/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libsal.so.3[0xbc486a]
) = 49
writev(2, [{"/lib/tls/libpthread.so.0", 24}, {"[0x", 3}, {"b82058",
6}, {"]\n", 2}], 4/lib/tls/libpthread.so.0[0xb82058]
) = 35
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libps"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZNK3psp16PrintFontManager25anal"..., 106}, {"+0x", 3}, {"91", 2},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"86d03e7", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libpsp645li.so(_ZNK3psp16PrintFontManager25analyzeTrueTypeFamilyNameEPvRN4_STL4listIN3rtl8OUStringENS2_9allocatorIS5_EEEE+0x91)[0x86d03e7]
) = 166
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libps"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZNK3psp16PrintFontManager19anal"..., 64}, {"+0x", 3}, {"10d", 3},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"86d083d", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libpsp645li.so(_ZNK3psp16PrintFontManager19analyzeTrueTypeFileEPNS0_9PrintFontE+0x10d)[0x86d083d]
) = 125
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libps"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN3psp16PrintFontManager11addFo"..., 70}, {"+0x", 3}, {"850", 3},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"86cf9e2", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libpsp645li.so(_ZN3psp16PrintFontManager11addFontFileERKN3rtl7OStringEPK10_FcPatternb+0x850)[0x86cf9e2]
) = 131
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libps"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN3psp16PrintFontManager15addFc"..., 56}, {"+0x", 3}, {"83", 2},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"86d0f23", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libpsp645li.so(_ZN3psp16PrintFontManager15addFcSystemFontEP10_FcPattern+0x83)[0x86d0f23]
) = 116
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libps"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN3psp16PrintFontManager18addFc"..., 59}, {"+0x", 3}, {"3d", 2},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"86d0f8f", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libpsp645li.so(_ZN3psp16PrintFontManager18addFcSystemFontSetEP10_FcFontSet+0x3d)[0x86d0f8f]
) = 119
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libps"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN3psp16PrintFontManager10initi"..., 40}, {"+0x", 3}, {"18b", 3},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"86d1127", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libpsp645li.so(_ZN3psp16PrintFontManager10initializeEPv+0x18b)[0x86d1127]
) = 101
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libps"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN3psp16PrintFontManager3getEv", 31}, {"+0x", 3}, {"69", 2}, {")",
1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"86cc281", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libpsp645li.so(_ZN3psp16PrintFontManager3getEv+0x69)[0x86cc281]
) = 91
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvc"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN11SalGraphics14GetDevFontList"..., 51}, {"+0x", 3}, {"4de", 3},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"3a1998", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvcl645li.so(_ZN11SalGraphics14GetDevFontListEP15ImplDevFontList+0x4de)[0x3a1998]
) = 111
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvc"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZNK12OutputDevice16ImplInitFont"..., 38}, {"+0x", 3}, {"47", 2},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"25d433", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvcl645li.so(_ZNK12OutputDevice16ImplInitFontListEv+0x47)[0x25d433]
) = 97
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvc"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN6Window24ImplUpdateGlobalSett"..., 52}, {"+0x", 3}, {"4c", 2},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"30b40c", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvcl645li.so(_ZN6Window24ImplUpdateGlobalSettingsER11AllSettingsh+0x4c)[0x30b40c]
) = 111
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvc"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN6Window8ImplInitEPS_xP16Syste"..., 43}, {"+0x", 3}, {"6c1", 3},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"30c981", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvcl645li.so(_ZN6Window8ImplInitEPS_xP16SystemParentData+0x6c1)[0x30c981]
) = 103
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvc"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN16ImplBorderWindow8ImplInitEP"..., 60}, {"+0x", 3}, {"10d", 3},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"2c862b", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvcl645li.so(_ZN16ImplBorderWindow8ImplInitEP6WindowxtP16SystemParentData+0x10d)[0x2c862b]
) = 120
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvc"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN16ImplBorderWindowC1EP6Window"..., 53}, {"+0x", 3}, {"70", 2},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"2c87d0", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvcl645li.so(_ZN16ImplBorderWindowC1EP6WindowP16SystemParentDataxt+0x70)[0x2c87d0]
) = 112
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvc"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN10WorkWindow8ImplInitEP6Windo"..., 53}, {"+0x", 3}, {"7d", 2},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"326d57", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvcl645li.so(_ZN10WorkWindow8ImplInitEP6WindowxP16SystemParentData+0x7d)[0x326d57]
) = 112
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvc"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN11IntroWindowC2Ev", 20}, {"+0x", 3}, {"65", 2}, {")", 1}, {"[0x",
3}, {"327983", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvcl645li.so(_ZN11IntroWindowC2Ev+0x65)[0x327983]
) = 79
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libsp"..., 41}, {"[0x", 3},
{"840b215", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
4/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libspl645li.so[0x840b215]
) = 53
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libsp"..., 41}, {"[0x", 3},
{"840c36f", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
4/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libspl645li.so[0x840c36f]
) = 53
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libcp"..., 49}, {"[0x", 3},
{"b311e9", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
4/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libcppuhelpergcc3.so.3[0xb311e9]
) = 60
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libcp"..., 49}, {"[0x", 3},
{"b3139a", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
4/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libcppuhelpergcc3.so.3[0xb3139a]
) = 60
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libcp"..., 49}, {"[0x", 3},
{"b31f08", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
4/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libcppuhelpergcc3.so.3[0xb31f08]
) = 60
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libcp"..., 49}, {"[0x", 3},
{"b313fe", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
4/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libcppuhelpergcc3.so.3[0xb313fe]
) = 60
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libcp"..., 49}, {"[0x", 3},
{"b3204d", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
4/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libcppuhelpergcc3.so.3[0xb3204d]
) = 60
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libcp"..., 49}, {"[0x", 3},
{"b32b3d", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
4/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libcppuhelpergcc3.so.3[0xb32b3d]
) = 60
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/servi"..., 44}, {"[0x", 3},
{"5bd927c", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
4/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/servicemgr.uno.so[0x5bd927c]
) = 56
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/servi"..., 44}, {"[0x", 3},
{"5bd9832", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
4/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/servicemgr.uno.so[0x5bd9832]
) = 56
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/soffi"..., 38}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN7desktop7Desktop16OpenSplashS"..., 39}, {"+0x", 3}, {"201", 3},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"806b0c7", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/soffice.bin(_ZN7desktop7Desktop16OpenSplashScreenEv+0x201)[0x806b0c7]
) = 97
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/soffi"..., 38}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN7desktop7Desktop4MainEv", 26}, {"+0x", 3}, {"340", 3}, {")", 1},
{"[0x", 3}, {"8063944", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/soffice.bin(_ZN7desktop7Desktop4MainEv+0x340)[0x8063944]
) = 84
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvc"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"_Z6SVMainv", 10}, {"+0x", 3}, {"49", 2}, {")", 1}, {"[0x", 3},
{"1e2b57", 6}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvcl645li.so(_Z6SVMainv+0x49)[0x1e2b57]
) = 69
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvc"..., 41}, {"(", 1},
{"main", 4}, {"+0x", 3}, {"4c", 2}, {")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"3ae9f8",
6}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/libvcl645li.so(main+0x4c)[0x3ae9f8]
) = 63
writev(2, [{"/lib/tls/libc.so.6", 18}, {"(", 1}, {"__libc_start_main",
17}, {"+0x", 3}, {"e5", 2}, {")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"47e3475", 7},
{"]\n", 2}], 9/lib/tls/libc.so.6(__libc_start_main+0xe5)[0x47e3475]
) = 54
writev(2, [{"/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/soffi"..., 38}, {"(", 1},
{"_ZN6Window11RequestHelpERK9HelpE"..., 36}, {"+0x", 3}, {"31", 2},
{")", 1}, {"[0x", 3}, {"805e49d", 7}, {"]\n", 2}],
9/usr/lib/ooo-1.1.0/program/soffice.bin(_ZN6Window11RequestHelpERK9HelpEvent+0x31)[0x805e49d]
) = 93
rt_sigprocmask(SIG_UNBLOCK, [ABRT], NULL, 8) = 0
tgkill(12502, 12502, SIGABRT)           = 0
--- SIGABRT (Aborted) @ 0 (0) ---
+++ killed by SIGABRT +++

I removed all fonts at /home/~/.fonts and OOffice started OK. 

How can I know which font(s) is/are causing the problem?

Created attachment 98464 [details]
The font that crashed my OO.o

FOXJUMP.TTF

Hi!

I was having the same problem, and tested my fonts out a little, this
one turned out to be faulty: [attached]

note that maybe it still is an OO.o bug since all other apps are
working fine!

I don't have that font. :-(

The FOXJUMP.TTF font is malformed it turns out.  TrueType fonts have a
'name' table that contains strings, and one entry in that 'name' table
has an extremely bad offset to the beginning of the actual string, in
this case 0xFFF1 (located at offset 0x75C4 in the font file).  This
causes a memcpy() of OOo to fail because it reads beyond the end of
the memory.

So, in short, the font file is bad but OOo could be more robust in
dealing with this font.  I will attempt to make OOo do so.

Created attachment 98637 [details]
OOo returns to work....

The problem was gone with the last update (openoffice.org-1.1.0-30). 

I have 769 TTFs in my ./fonts directory and last OOo development
package recognized all of them.

If you think problem was completely resolved (no more users will have
the problem), you can close the entry.

Thanks for the solution!

Fixed in rawhide (openoffice.org-1.1.0-32) and RHEL3 U2
(openoffice.org-1.1.0-14.EL)