PowerPoint Freezes in Leopard

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Version: v.X
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I have a new MacBook Pro with OSX 10.5.6. PowerPoint worked fine with my older iMac (OSX 10.4), but now when a presentation is launched, it freezes on the title page, and is unresponsive to any commands. I have to force quit PowerPoint, which is shown as "not responding" in the Force Quit screen. How to remedy? Thx,

 

[CyberTaz]

Try running Disk Utility - Repair Disk Permissions & make sure you have
Office fully updated - 12.1.7 is the current level.

Did you happen to use Apple's Migration Assistant to move your apps to the
new system?

 

[shopbox]

Thx. I ran Repair Disk Permissions, and checked for the latest update, which loaded as 11.5.3. After restarting, the problem persists. I did use Apple's Migration Assistant to move apps. Should I try a reinstall of my Office:Mac v.X disk? There are two disks, both are labeled the same.

 

[CyberTaz]

OK - partial oversight on my part... I didn't even notice that you're using
v.X according to your original message, but that shouldn't cause the 11.5.3
update to download. Before considering a re-installation [which must be done
correctly if at all] let's start over again so we have a better idea what
we're dealing with...

Exactly what version of Office are you using: X (10.x.x), 2004 (11.x.x), or
2008 (12.x.x)? Did you previously have v.X installed then upgrade it to
2004? What source disks do you have?

Do any of the Office apps launch successfully?

 

[shopbox]

When I open MS Word, it says "MS Word 2004 for Mac, version 11.5.3" Excel says "11.5.4." PowerPoint says "11.5.1." When I check for new updates, the message says that no newer updates are available.

The box says "Microsoft Office v.X." This is the only version of Office I have used with my Macs. I have two disks in the box, Both say the same: "Office:mac v.X Student and Teacher Edition."

It appears that Word and Excel launch successfully; the problem is in PowerPoint.

 

[CyberTaz]

Well, you'll have to proceed rather carefully here. Office v.X & Office 2004
are separate releases of the suite. The numbers you're reporting are correct
for the current update level of 2004 which is version 11.x.x, but if you do
not have the original CD & Product Key you *cannot* reinstall that version
of Office - and 10.x.x can't be "updated" to 11. My guess is that you
originally had v.X but perhaps your iMac came with v.11 (2004) preloaded.
Even so you should have received the Office 2004 source CD.

First of all try running PPt from a new User Account. If the program runs OK
there it suggests a problem with your current User Account. Log back into
that account, go to User/Library/Preferences/Microsoft. While PPt isn't
running remove the file called com.microsoft.PowerPoint.prefs.plist then see
if PPt will run.

OTOH, if the problem persists it may simply be a font cache issue. In that
case while no Office programs are running go to the same folder & remove
the file: Office Font Cache (11).

Reply in detail with your results.

I'd also make a concerted effort to locate your Office 2004 CD - perhaps its
tucked away with the system disks that came with the iMac.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[shopbox]

Thank you, Bob, for your detailed response. Unfortunately, still no luck. I followed your instructions as:

1. I tried running PPT from another use account. Same problem.

2. I removed the file com.microsoft.PowerPoint.prefs. Same.

3. I removed the file Office Font Cache (11). Same.

4. However, I now notice (in the very small print) that the two CDs included in the original box for Office:mac v.X STUDENT AND TEACHER EDITION have two tiny notations: one is labeled: v.X; the other 2004. Aha! There are three "Product Key" strips on the CD envelope with three different codes. Have we hit pay dirt, and if so, what now?