PowerPoint 97 compatability with current versions

[Guest]

My company has an old laptop that was dusted off and now they want to be able
to use it for playing PowerPoint presentations. It is running Windows 98
(NOT Second Edition) and has PowerPoint 97 SR-1 installed.

I do not know what version of PowerPoint will be used to create the
presentation. Will I have compatability issues if I try playing a current
version on such an antiquated version? I'm concerned that even if it plays on
my version that not all the advanced features will be seen and the
presentation won't be exactly as planned.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[David M. Marcovitz]

You are right to have concerns. Almost everything will work from versions
2000 and 97, but 2002 and 2003 have many new features. These features can
be disabled under the Tools Menu and choosing Options. There are check
marks (I think under the Edit tab, or is it the General tab) for 3 items
listed under Disable New Features. If all designers, check those 3
things, it should work on the old laptop.
--David

--
David M. Marcovitz
Microsoft PowerPoint MVP
Director of Graduate Programs in Educational Technology
Loyola College in Maryland
Author of _Powerful PowerPoint for Educators_
http://www.PowerfulPowerPoint.com/

 

[Guest]

As David says many animations wont run on 97 and even the powerpoint viewer
wont run on 98. Checking the" no new features " boxes will work but will
severely restrict your designers!
--

Did that answer the question / help?
_____________________________
John Wilson
Microsoft Certified Office Specialist
http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys! That's exactly what I was afraid of--even if I can make it
work, it won't be the designer wants/intended.

DB

 

[Guest]

Just to add Powerpoint 2000 has the same restrictions more or less as 97
Powerpoint XP will play most things done in 2003
--
Powerpoint viewer 2003 (free) will play all 2003 animations but not vba
macros but you must have Windows 98SE or later

Did that answer the question / help?
_____________________________
John Wilson
Microsoft Certified Office Specialist
http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html