Powerpoint failing to save to network save....

[Andy]

I am working with several powerpoint files that are about
30mb in size. They contain several pictures/tables/text.
Anyway I am trying to save them directly to a network
share that is mapped to my computer. Sometimes it saves
with no problems and other times it just says "Unable to
save file name to location" message. I can do a save as
and change the name slightly and it works fine. I can then
re-save as under the old name replacing the original file
and it works great. I am running Office XP sp2 with
Windows NT sp6. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions.
It is not the end of the world, but since it works
sometimes and then not other times leads me to believe
that it can be fixed.

It was suggested that to remove the checkbox for the "fast
save" feature. I did do this and tested it for a day or
two and am getting the same results. This has been
happening with most of our users periodically throughout
our network. I was thinking maybe drive
corruption/fragmentation??? We have a very simple closed
peer to peer network with a 10/100 hub. Nt Server that is
used as a domain controller. I am hoping to upgrade to a
switch from the hub. Also have in the works for a new 2000
server. Anyother suggestions. My users get "cranky" at the
prospect of saving locally and transferring over on the
network drive. They are picky, but we love them anyway.

 

[Kathy J]

Andy,
I know that users get cranky at the extra step of copying from local drive
to the network share. However, it really is a good idea to work on PPT files
from local copies. PPT generates lots of network traffic if it is working on
a remote document. The more traffic, the higher the likelihood that there
will be a problem.

In addition, saving locally means that you are more likely to have a backup
if the network share does go down.

One option you might consider: Can you create an add-in for the users that
prompts them for their presentation name and path, then makes a local copy
of the presentation, works on and saves that locally, then puts a copy back
out to the network share at the end of the session? You might find that this
process lowers the traffic, increases the stability of the files, and still
keeps the users from having to save twice.

Just my two cents, take or leave as you wish....

--
Kathryn Jacobs, Microsoft MVP PowerPoint and OneNote
Get PowerPoint answers at http://www.powerpointanswers.com
Cook anything outdoors with http://www.outdoorcook.com
Get OneNote answers at http://www.onenoteanswers.com

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I believe life is meant to be lived. But:
if we live without making a difference, it makes no difference that we lived

 

[Guest]

Kathryn,
I like that idea of the add-in that prompts for name and
path. I am not sure how to do that, is it like a script?
Or a default check box in Powerpoint? I will look into it,
but if you have a place to point me that would be great.
Thank you for your help. It is appreciated.
andy

 

[Kathy J]

Andy,
An add-in is a special kind of VBA macro that runs every time you run PPT on
the machine that has the ass-in installed. Rather than trying to explain all
here, I am going to send you to the VBA section of the PPT FAQ. It will tell
you quite a bit about both VBA and add-ins.

Programming In PowerPoint FAQ entries:
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/index.html#PROGRAMMING POWERPOINT

(And if I am lucky, one of the VBA guru's will step in and remind me where
the piece of code is that tells you how to get the path for the current
document. Use that code sample, and you are halfway there....)
--
Kathryn Jacobs, Microsoft MVP PowerPoint and OneNote
Get PowerPoint answers at http://www.powerpointanswers.com
Cook anything outdoors with http://www.outdoorcook.com
Get OneNote answers at http://www.onenoteanswers.com

If this helped you, please take the time to rate the value of this post:
http://rate.affero.net/jacobskl/

I believe life is meant to be lived. But:
if we live without making a difference, it makes no difference that we lived

 

[Kathy J]

!

Opps - guess that slipped by the spell checker. Hopefully Andy knew what I
meant
(And thanks for the VBA command. Don't know why that one won't ever stick in
my brain.)

--
Kathryn Jacobs, Microsoft MVP PowerPoint and OneNote
Get PowerPoint answers at http://www.powerpointanswers.com
Cook anything outdoors with http://www.outdoorcook.com
Get OneNote answers at http://www.onenoteanswers.com

If this helped you, please take the time to rate the value of this post:
http://rate.affero.net/jacobskl/

I believe life is meant to be lived. But:
if we live without making a difference, it makes no difference that we lived

 

[Sonia]

No, it is spelled correctly. <VBG>

Opps - guess that slipped by the spell checker. Hopefully Andy knew what I
meant
(And thanks for the VBA command. Don't know why that one won't ever stick in
my brain.)

--
Kathryn Jacobs, Microsoft MVP PowerPoint and OneNote
Get PowerPoint answers at http://www.powerpointanswers.com
Cook anything outdoors with http://www.outdoorcook.com
Get OneNote answers at http://www.onenoteanswers.com

If this helped you, please take the time to rate the value of this post:
http://rate.affero.net/jacobskl/

I believe life is meant to be lived. But:
if we live without making a difference, it makes no difference that we lived