"Automation error Catastrofic failure"

[Guest]

I got this message as soon as I open an excel file that has some macro's to
do calculations and change some of the user interface.

I think it is connected to Office service pack 3 that I loaded, because the
error occured a day or two after that when I had to open the specific file in
question. The file was created in excel 97 and subsequently saved in excel
XP when we upgraded.

I have other files that were created in XP first time and they do not give
this error. It requires me to shut down Excel using the task list in task
manager.

I am very desperate (last thing to try is delete office and re-install excel

Thanks

 

[Tom Ogilvy]

Hold down the shift key while you open the file. This should stop the macro
from running. You can then try to salavage you work.

 

[Guest]

I have enabeled the option to turn the macros in the workbook on or off when
the file opens. When I disable the macros the automation error does not come
up. My question is how do I know what is causing this. (how do I salvage my
work?)

I have opened this same file on another PC also running Excel XP with SP3
installed and it does not give me any such error.

What gives?