Cannot open PowerPoint 2003 document in PowerPoint XP

[Steve ashley]

We have a lengthy PowerPoint file. It was created in PPT 2007, but saved as
a PPT 97-2003 file. The file works fine in PowerPoint 2003 and in 2007.

However, when the file is opened with Office XP, the file opens, then
flashes the "PowerPoint has experienced a problem, and has to close" error
dialog box.

We tried to use the 2003 Viewer, but that hangs after opening the file.

I was under the impression that PowerPoint XP could handle files in the
97-2003 format, but this has thrown me.

We have tried different versions of the file, and have done other
troubleshooting/elimination problem solving.

This has occurred on multiple computers, operated by different customers.
It also happens on my computers, each of which has 2gb of RAM or more. One
is running WinXP, while the other is running Vista.

It appears as though this file, built with PPT 2007 and saved as a PPT 2003
file, cannot be opened on a machine running PPT XP.

Any ideas? Time is of the essence. Many opf our customers cannot upgrade
to newer versions of Office right now, because they have government
computers, and they have budgetary issues. We would like to offer them a
file that they all could use!

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

We have a lengthy PowerPoint file. It was created in PPT 2007, but saved as
a PPT 97-2003 file. The file works fine in PowerPoint 2003 and in 2007.

However, when the file is opened with Office XP, the file opens, then
flashes the "PowerPoint has experienced a problem, and has to close" error
dialog box.

We tried to use the 2003 Viewer, but that hangs after opening the file.

I was under the impression that PowerPoint XP could handle files in the
97-2003 format, but this has thrown me.

In general, it can, but apparently there's something in this file that's giving
it indigestion ... XP's somewhat more fragile in some respects than 2003 or
2000.

You might try opening the file in 2003 and "round-tripping" to HTML and back,
which can sometimes clean out corrupted objects and other things that might be
giving XP the burps.

HTML "Round-tripping" to repair corruption
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00526.htm

 

[Steve ashley]

Thanks Steve, I'll give that a try!!

S.

In general, it can, but apparently there's something in this file that's giving
it indigestion ... XP's somewhat more fragile in some respects than 2003 or
2000.

You might try opening the file in 2003 and "round-tripping" to HTML and back,
which can sometimes clean out corrupted objects and other things that might be
giving XP the burps.

HTML "Round-tripping" to repair corruption
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00526.htm


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Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
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