POWERPNT.EXE running in background, causes log-off problems, Windows Server 2003

[Colin Brooks]

Hi - I recently upgraded my Windows 2000 Server box (a Dell PowerEduge
2400) to Windows Server 2003. Now, when someone logs on with Terminal
Services (Remote Desktop Connection) or via the console, a
POWERPNT.EXE process runs in the background, even though the user
isn't using Powerpoint. If I leave that background version of
Powerpoint running, then the user gets 2 error messages when they try
to log off: "End Program - CB Monitor Window" and "End Program - DDE
Server Window." If the user ends those two programs through those
prompts, then they can log off, but I'd rather they didn't have to do
that as it causes some of them to have a mild panic or to just
disconnect their Terminal Services session rather than log off. I am
running Office XP. Any one else seeing this? Why is POWERPNT.EXE
running in the background anyway? If I kill that process, then the
user can log off normally. Also, Powerpoint won't run properly until
that mysterious background version is killed (has it process ended).
Hoping someone can help,
Colin Brooks

 

[Austin Myers]

Possibly a goofy entry in a users start up folder?

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

 

[Austin Myers]

Colin,

I kicked this around a bit more and...

Does this sound like what you are seeing?

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;329915


Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

 

[Colin Brooks]

Hi Austin, thanks for your reply. I checked out that link, and it
doesn't appear to be what's happening. The powerpnt.exe executable is
being loaded for all users before anyone even tries to start the
application, and it we're definitely not getting to the point of
inserting slides with ActiveX controls. Powerpoint just appears to be
trying to run by itself in the background... why on earth?

Any more help you can give would be greatly appreciated!
- Colin

 

[Austin Myers]

Well, something has to be firing it off. Hmm, have you looked at your logs
to see what it is?

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

 

[Colin Brooks]

Hello Austin -
I've been poking around in my logs (and the registry) & looking at
what msconfig brings up, and I'm stumped - I can't find what is making
powerpoint appear to run in the background. Any suggestions on what
log files I should be inspecting?
Thanks,
Colin

 

[Colin Brooks]

Hi again -
I was just looking around in the registry and found a notice that
opware32.exe, a program of Scansoft Textbridge Pro 11.0 had a
reference to powerpnt.exe as one of the programs it could use.
opware32.exe is listed as a startup program by msconfig. Removing
this from the startup appears to have created the situation where
Powerpoint is no longer being fired up to run in the background for
every user. I am going to pursue this some more to see if I have
really solved the problem or I've just gone off the deep end.
- Colin