PowerPoint Problem

[John R]

Running Vista with XP 2002.  All going well until I received a new PPT deck (presentation).  When I try to open the file, it closes PPT and kicks PPT off altogether.  I have received many files from this source in past.

I have removed most of the temp files.  Have not tried to unistall and reinstall yet.

Help! And thanks.

JOHN

[Joey]

What happens now, when you try to open an older powerpoint file that has opened perfectly in the past?

[John R]

The old PPTs all open just fine.

[Joey]

If all is well in Powerpoint with the exception of the new file, have the person resend the powerpoint file in question. If there was a slight, mili-second pause on their end while sending you the file the whole thing could have been corrupted. Happens to me every now and then.

[John R]

Have requested a resend.  Thanks.

[John R]

Received new PPT deck of the one that would not open and when I tried it, it shut down PPT.  All other PPT files, and I have many, open just fine.

Any thoughts?  Thanks.

[John R]

Also, when I try to save the new file, which came on a CD, I get a message that says: "The converter will not save the file."

[John R]

And finally, if I right click on the file, one of the options is SHOW.  The PPT will open in SHOW but I cannot save or change any of the slides.

[Joey]

What is the file extension of that particular powerpoint file? I am assuming .ppt or pptx but it can also have another file extension.

If you are unsure how to check the file extension (on most systems the file extensions are hidden) you can check out the video tutorial below. It will show you how to make all file extensions visible.

http://www.cleartechinfo.com/Learn-How-To-Change-Settings-Hidden-Files-Folders-View-File-Extensions

[John R]

ppt

Thanks

[Joey]

.ppt, good to know at least it is not a freaky file extension I have not dealt with yet 

I researched your problem some more. Do you have another computer that you can test out this powerpoint file on? Preferably a faster computer. I would like to see if it reacts the same or opens it up with no problems.

[John R]

Thanks in advance for working this.  I tried to open the file on another computer and same thing:  PPT shuts down.  I received a message that said: "PPT found an error that it can't correct.  You should save presentation, quit, and then restart PPT." 

I cannot do this because I cannot save the file--have tried several ways.  I can open in PPT Viewer and I read the first page, which mentioned there are MS file hyper links in the presentation. 

Thanks!

[Joey]

Check this site out. I found it while searching through the net. It seems to be dedicated to powerpoint problems and solutions.
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00220.htm

Tell me if it helps.

[John R]

No luck yet.  I am running AVG for anti-virus and only have Adobe Reader 8.  Do not have Symantec Systemworks 2002, that I can tell.

Of the 15 people who received this file, only one other person is having the same problem--PPT shuts down when you open the file.  She is running Office XP 2003.

We have gone to the sender to ask for a new file in an older PPT version.  Hope that can be done.

Thanks.

[Joey]

John, do you have MS Office 2000, 2003 or 2007?

[John R]

I am running Office XP version 2002, Standard for Teachers and Students--as stated on the installation package.  OS is Vista. 
A sticker on the package with the installation CDs, states: "Designed for MS Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98, Windows NT."

Thanks,
JOHN

[Joey]

Install this compatibility pack on the computer.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=941b3470-3ae9-4aee-8f43-c6bb74cd1466&displaylang=en

- After the install, restart your computer.
- To open the file that is giving your trouble it is important that you go through the file menu and choose the "Open" command. Make sure that "All Files" are selected on the bottom-right of the menu
Then select the file from where it is on your computer
Next, to the Right of the "Open" button there is an arrow pointing down, select that
Select, "Open and Repair"

See if that works. If it does not then attempt to open the file using another option in the Open menu (where Open and Repair is listed)

[John R]

While trying install the FileFormatConverter, I received an error message that said: "Another version of this product is already installed.  Installation of this version cannot continue. To configure or remove the existing version of this product, use Add/Remove Program on the Control Panel."  So I guess its already been installed.

I looked at all the MS updates but the descriptions are abbreviated, so I could not uninstall if I wanted to.

I tried everything else suggested but file still shuts down PPT when I try to open.

Thanks for sticking with this.

[Joey]

I think I have went through everything in my arsenal. I am stumped on this one. 

[John R]

I appreciate all you did.  I do not want to buy a new version of MS Office but I am stuck right now.  If the problem gets solved, I will let you know what happened.

Thanks again,

JOHN (Marietta, GA)

[Joey]

definitely post up the solution when or if it gets solved. I am sure there are a lot of other people with the same problem.

btw, just when I thought I was out of solutions I thought of 1 more, lol.

The free Office Suite Open Office is compatible with many MS Office formats, even the newest Office 2007 files.

Download and install Open Office (they have a portable version so you don't have to clutter your computer and can easily delete it afterwards).

Here is a link to the portable version: http://portableapps.com/apps/office/openoffice_portable

Or if you prefer here is a link to the normal version: http://www.openoffice.org

"Impress" is the equivalent to MS Powerpoint. After you install Open Office use Impress to open up the Powerpoint.

[John R]

Is it possible my MS PPT is corrupt.  Can I uninstall and reinstall just PPT, or do I have to uninstall and reinstall the entire MS Office XP suite?

Also, if I uninstall and reinstall, what happens to all the PPT, Word, etc., files on my C drive?  Do they stay or are they erased during the unistall.

Do you think unistalling might help?  I have used the MS Office discs several times; is there a limit?  Would hate to uninstall and then not be able to reinstall.

Thanks.

[Joey]

It is possible your install is corrupt but if you are able to view every powerpoint thrown at it (w/ the exception of that one) then I highly doubt it is corrupt. I don’t recommend the reinstall unless you are getting issues with multiple PPT files.

Try OpenOffice. It might work and it is free.