Powerpoint opening on it's own

[Jan Il]

Hi all - PPT 2000, WinME

When my computer first starts up I am getting an error
message that Powerpoint has commited an error and must
shut down. When I click ok, it wants to send a report. I
say ok, then.....the program 'opens'?

Has anyone seen this sort of thing before? It hasn't been
opened yet, but, it says it has to shut down, then it
opens instead. Very confusing.

Jan

 

[Michael Koerner]

Once PowerPoint opens, you might want to click on Help | Detect and Repair to
see if that helps.

--
<>Please post all follow-up questions/replies to the newsgroup<>
<><><>Do Provide The Version Of PowerPoint You Are Using<><><>
<><><>Do Not Post Attachments In This Newsgroup<><><>
Michael Koerner [MS PPT MVP]


Hi all - PPT 2000, WinME

When my computer first starts up I am getting an error
message that Powerpoint has commited an error and must
shut down. When I click ok, it wants to send a report. I
say ok, then.....the program 'opens'?

Has anyone seen this sort of thing before? It hasn't been
opened yet, but, it says it has to shut down, then it
opens instead. Very confusing.

Jan

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

You don't have any kind of PPT-masquerading-as Screensaver thingie happnin'
there do you, Jan?

 

[Moose]

Hi Jan,
I would test it by following below steps:
1-Rebuild PPT
===========
-Disable any antivirus running applications & have MS Office 2000 CD-ROM
ready with CD Key
-Rename Office entries in the registry by:
-Start | Run | Type regedit | Enter
In the Registry Editor, rename the 9.0 folder (Office 2000's entries) from
below Path (Right click & Rename to 9old)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office
-Start | Run | Type powerpnt.exe to run PowerPoint
-Enter CD Key when prompted
-If problem persists, please try step # 2

2-Safe Mode
==========
in Windows safe mode (Restart | Press F8 while Windows is booting up | Safe
mode), test to see if error can be reproducible
If yes, try to upgrade to the latest video driver
if no, please try step # 3

3-Verify for interfered services
=====================
-Start | Run | Type msconfig | Enter
-Services tab | Check on "Hide all Microsoft services" | Click on "Disable
all"
-Click OK and restart
-Test issue after restart
If problem persists, please follow step # 4
If no, go back to disable first half of third party application and start
narrowing down trouble service

4-Verify for interfered services (Within MS services)
=====================================
-Start | Run | Type msconfig | Enter
-Services tab | Uncheck the first half of running services and restart
-Uncheck half of the running services and start narrowing down trouble
service (By cutting half of running services every time)

Most likely, first step should resolve problem or if you can please look in
Event Viewer (Start | run | Type eventvwr | Enter | Verify under Application
to see anything related to Powerpnt) and post back so us can have a better
idea

Good luck/Moose

+++++++++++++

 

[Moose]

Hi Jan,
Discard my last if this problem occurs from computer startup
Perhaps, you might let us know whether:
-Powerpoint runs from startup itself and encounters error
or
-A ppt file is opened by PowerPoint application and encountered error
or
-As Steve mentioned...screen save or photo album (Wall paper) using
PowerPoint running from startup

Can you check applications run from startup?
Start | Run | type msconfig | startup tab

Moose
+++++

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Steve -

You don't have any kind of PPT-masquerading-as Screensaver thingie happnin'
there do you, Jan?

No, and actually, I don't use a screensaver of any kind on my home computer,
'cause it's rarely idle more than a few minute. It just started yesterday
morning when I started up the PC to check e-mail messages before going work,
and the first thing that gets in my face is this message box about the
problem. I have tried Michael's suggestion of the Detect and Repair, but, I
am still getting the same message box. Here's the poser, I have both 2000
and 2002XP on my machine, but, under two separate folders as you instructed
when I upgraded to the '02 XP. But, it is only the 2000 that is opens. So,
it appears that it has a preference for the older model....??

This has never happened before, and it's so odd that it says in the messsage
box that it must shut down, but, instead, it opens the program??? This is
really strange...even for me! I've done all the troubleshooting I can find
or think of to do, and I've even done a reinstall of the 2000 suite to see
if that would resolve the problem, but, I am still getting the message box
every time I start the computer.

 

[Jan Il]

Hi there you moodymoose! ;-))

Hi Jan,
Discard my last if this problem occurs from computer startup
Perhaps, you might let us know whether:
-Powerpoint runs from startup itself and encounters error
or
-A ppt file is opened by PowerPoint application and encountered error
or
-As Steve mentioned...screen save or photo album (Wall paper) using
PowerPoint running from startup

Can you check applications run from startup?
Start | Run | type msconfig | startup tab

Moose, I have checked all that you have mentioned, and there is nothing I
can find that would trigger PPT to open automatically on startup. I have run
my Virus program, SpyBOt, AdAware, Housecalls, F-Prot, to make sure there
are no bugs in my bonnet that might cause this kind of problem, and all has
come up clear.

I don't use wallpaper kind of stuff on my PC...I mean...who looks at
it??....;-))

Thanks Moose.

Jan

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Michael -

Once PowerPoint opens, you might want to click on Help | Detect and Repair to
see if that helps.

I did try your suggestion, but, I am still getting the same message box, and
same weird opening of the program after it says it has to shut down??

Jan

--
<>Please post all follow-up questions/replies to the newsgroup<>
<><><>Do Provide The Version Of PowerPoint You Are Using<><><>
<><><>Do Not Post Attachments In This Newsgroup<><><>
Michael Koerner [MS PPT MVP]


Hi all - PPT 2000, WinME

When my computer first starts up I am getting an error
message that Powerpoint has commited an error and must
shut down. When I click ok, it wants to send a report. I
say ok, then.....the program 'opens'?

Has anyone seen this sort of thing before? It hasn't been
opened yet, but, it says it has to shut down, then it
opens instead. Very confusing.

Jan

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

We-he-hellll, the moose is loose again. Welcome back!

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

No, and actually, I don't use a screensaver of any kind on my home
computer,

'cause it's rarely idle more than a few minute. It just started yesterday
morning when I started up the PC to check e-mail messages before going work,
and the first thing that gets in my face is this message box about the
problem.

Did you do anything out of the ordinary between the last time you started
the PC and this time?
Have you done a Glare Repair since? (Shut down windows, power down the PC
and GLARE at it for five minutes, then restart))



I have tried Michael's suggestion of the Detect and Repair, but, I

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Moose -

Hi Jan,
Discard my last if this problem occurs from computer startup
Perhaps, you might let us know whether:
-Powerpoint runs from startup itself and encounters error
or
-A ppt file is opened by PowerPoint application and encountered error
or
-As Steve mentioned...screen save or photo album (Wall paper) using
PowerPoint running from startup

Can you check applications run from startup?
Start | Run | type msconfig | startup tab

The PPT shield comes up as it would when its first going to open, and then a
couple of seconds later the message box comes up with the error message.
When I click on it, then the program just opens normally. When I exit and
reopen, there is no other error message. It just happens when the computer
first starts.

I checked the Startup list and found nothing new compared to the screen shot
I did when I last made a change months ago.

Jan

 

[Jan Il]

Did you do anything out of the ordinary between the last time you started
the PC and this time?

No, nothing but the normal range...that is what is so strange. I ran the
Detect and Repair, but, no fun there.

Have you done a Glare Repair since? (Shut down windows, power down the PC
and GLARE at it for five minutes, then restart))

Ahm...not yet...but, if it had ears, they'd be kinda blistered. I have now
placed a box of salt on each side of it...and the neighbor is chasing the
chickens back and forth under the window, hoping it'll take the hint of
things to come....

I've updated and run both SpyBot and Adaware and found a couple of the usual
ticks and chiggers and I waxed 'em. Did the rounds again, D&R, reboot,
etc., and it still wants to play this game. It just seems that somehow,
somewhere, it suddenly got a hitch in it's getalong.

Jan

 

[Jan Il]

Steve......I have done some more troubleshooting and then did an uninstall
and reinstall of the Office 2000 and it seems to have stopped the over-eager
PPT 2000 jumping the gun on trying to open when the PC first starts up.

Now...a question...even though I have the 2002XP and 2000 PPT programs in a
separate folder, would they share any of the same files? When I opened a
certificate master a while ago that was originally produced a couple years
ago in 2000, it had no page borders, which it is supposed to have (the 'lil
Christmas trees). I went to the Borders and Shading to add the border back
and there are no borders in the list. Just the (none) at the top. Also,
there's no Clipart gallery. But, both of these are there in 2002. So, when
I open the certificate in 2002, the Christmas tree border is there...???
However, 2002 does not have the 'lil Candy Cane page border, which I also
wanted to use. If I recall, this was available in 2000. I have done a D&R in
2000, to see if it would reload the graphics and borders, but, still
nothing. I created a new certificate from this master in 2000 not long ago,
and it was fine, border and all. I have the Files Location set to the
proper folders. Am I missing a setting somewhere in 2000 to access the
Clipart and page borders?

Jan

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Glad that a reinstall sorted it. Good think.

Now...a question...even though I have the 2002XP and 2000 PPT programs in a
separate folder, would they share any of the same files?

Absolutely, though I don't know that a complete list is documented anywhere.
Graphics filters for sure. Echo's the ClipArtQueen. Let's see what she can
tell us about this 'un.

Or that John Langhans feller. Yo John.

When I opened a

 

[Echo S]

Now...a question...even though I have the 2002XP and 2000 PPT programs in a
separate folder, would they share any of the same files?

This is a good question, and I'm sure the answer is yes. I just don't
know what files they do share for sure. Well, I figure graphics
filters would be one type of shared file, but I don't know what else.

When I opened a
certificate master a while ago that was originally produced a couple years
ago in 2000, it had no page borders, which it is supposed to have (the 'lil
Christmas trees). I went to the Borders and Shading to add the border back
and there are no borders in the list. Just the (none) at the top.

Help! I'm confused!

Ok, so you made a certificate master in PPT 2000 and you forgot to add
borders to it. So you opened it in 2000 and went to the borders and
shading (Format/Borders and Shading) options, and there was no border.
Correct?

If that's the case, it's because page borders such as the Christmas
trees would be added via Clip Gallery as opposed to via Borders and
Shading. Borders and Shading are generally basic lines (on which you can
change colors and thickness), and you'd need to have an object selected
to apply the border/shading to. Borders/Shading won't work for an
overall slide (unless, of course, you added a big rectangle to the
bottom layer of the slide and added the border/shading to that). But it
won't work for Christmas trees and such.

Or, if you're saying you created the certificate complete with the tree
border in PPT 2000, but the border was gone when you opened the
certificate, that could be something as simple as a video driver issue
or hardware acceleration. Usually that's what's going on when there are
display problems like that.

Now, if I'm way off on what you were doing there, you'll have to
enlighten me!

Also,
there's no Clipart gallery.

Eh? In PPT 2000 there's no Clip Gallery? What happens when you go to
Insert/Picture/Clip Art? (You know, I wonder if this is the cause of the
installer popping up every time you start PPT 2000...)

But, both of these are there in 2002. So, when
I open the certificate in 2002, the Christmas tree border is there...???

Sorry, I'm confused again. Both of what are there in PPT 2002? I get
that the border is there when you open the file in PPT 2002, so that
makes me wonder if you are indeed having just a display problem with PPT
2000.

Oh, do you mean that the original border is there along with the new
border you just added? (See? I'm soooo confused, LOL!)

However, 2002 does not have the 'lil Candy Cane page border, which I also
wanted to use. If I recall, this was available in 2000. I have done a D&R in
2000, to see if it would reload the graphics and borders, but, still
nothing. I created a new certificate from this master in 2000 not long ago,
and it was fine, border and all. I have the Files Location set to the
proper folders. Am I missing a setting somewhere in 2000 to access the
Clipart and page borders?

Confused. We're back to 2000, right? And adding clips? Try the info at
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;EN-US;Q235848 to make sure the
clips are all available and then try
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;EN-US;Q262875 to reindex them in
the Clip Gallery for PPT 2000.

Now, just FYI, PPT 2002 has what is called a Clip Organizer. It's
different than the Clip Gallery, which has basically been discontinued.
When you go to Insert/Picture/Clip Art in PPT 2002, the Clip Organizer
task pane should open up. You can add your clips from the old Clip
Gallery into the new Clip Organizer, but you'd have to manually add in
all the keywords and stuff to make them searchable. (I know, I know,
don't shoot the messenger.)
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;EN-US;Q281858

You can also use the "online clips" stuff to get most of those old clips
from the web. http://dgl.microsoft.com/ will take you there directly.

 

[Echo S]

Glad that a reinstall sorted it. Good think.


Absolutely, though I don't know that a complete list is documented anywhere.
Graphics filters for sure. Echo's the ClipArtQueen.

Let's see what she can
tell us about this 'un.

Well, since PPT 2000 uses the Clip Gallery and PPT 2002 uses the Clip
Organizer, there's not as much overlap in the actual "working" files as
you might think. I don't think that Organizer reads the CAG and MMC
files from the Gallery, which is why the keywords from old clips don't
transfer. Although you can access the actual clips from both programs
(Gallery and Organizer), I don't think the actual "inner workings" are
the same.

Echo

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Echo!

This is a good question, and I'm sure the answer is yes. I just don't
know what files they do share for sure. Well, I figure graphics
filters would be one type of shared file, but I don't know what else.
'k...

Help! I'm confused!

Ok, so you made a certificate master in PPT 2000 and you forgot to add
borders to it. So you opened it in 2000 and went to the borders and
shading (Format/Borders and Shading) options, and there was no border.
Correct?

If that's the case, it's because page borders such as the Christmas
trees would be added via Clip Gallery as opposed to via Borders and
Shading. Borders and Shading are generally basic lines (on which you can
change colors and thickness), and you'd need to have an object selected
to apply the border/shading to. Borders/Shading won't work for an
overall slide (unless, of course, you added a big rectangle to the
bottom layer of the slide and added the border/shading to that). But it
won't work for Christmas trees and such.

Or, if you're saying you created the certificate complete with the tree
border in PPT 2000, but the border was gone when you opened the
certificate, that could be something as simple as a video driver issue
or hardware acceleration. Usually that's what's going on when there are
display problems like that.

Yes, I added the border when I first created the certificate a few years ago
when we first got 2000. And, I just did a new certificate using the same
master certificate 3 months ago in PPT 2000 and all the borders were in the
list. So was the Clipart. But, not now. There is nothing being displayed in
the list of borders where borders are normally listed.

Now, if I'm way off on what you were doing there, you'll have to
enlighten me!


Eh? In PPT 2000 there's no Clip Gallery? What happens when you go to
Insert/Picture/Clip Art? (You know, I wonder if this is the cause of the
installer popping up every time you start PPT 2000...)

No, when I click on the Clipart, there is nothing displayed at all. I can go
to the Pictures | From File and I have my own selection of clipart that I
normally use, but, if I go to the Clipart gallery, there is nothing there.

Sorry, I'm confused again. Both of what are there in PPT 2002? I get
that the border is there when you open the file in PPT 2002, so that
makes me wonder if you are indeed having just a display problem with PPT
2000.

Both the Clipart gallery and the page borders are listed and visible in
2002, but, not in 2000.

Oh, do you mean that the original border is there along with the new
border you just added? (See? I'm soooo confused, LOL!)

Yes, I understand....me too Echo...<g> I'm trying to sort this all out and
I'm not getting very far. When I open the certificate in 2000, the page
border does not appear, because, as I can only guess, there is nothing it
can find to support that page border or any other. When I first saw that
the page border was missing, I thought it just got chagned somehow and was
going to add it back in, but, there was nothing there to select from.

When I open the same certificate in 2002, the page border shows up, because,
again I am guessing, the page border is available in the 2002 files, and so
is the Clipart Gallery. So, both of them are available in 2002, but, not
2000. It's like, the files have been taken over by 2002, and 2000 no longer
has any, or there is a folder directory issue I can't find in 2000 to
redirect these to the right folders or files for 2000.

Confused. We're back to 2000, right? And adding clips? Try the info at
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;EN-US;Q235848 to make sure the
clips are all available and then try
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;EN-US;Q262875 to reindex them in
the Clip Gallery for PPT 2000.

Now, just FYI, PPT 2002 has what is called a Clip Organizer. It's
different than the Clip Gallery, which has basically been discontinued.
When you go to Insert/Picture/Clip Art in PPT 2002, the Clip Organizer
task pane should open up. You can add your clips from the old Clip
Gallery into the new Clip Organizer, but you'd have to manually add in
all the keywords and stuff to make them searchable. (I know, I know,
don't shoot the messenger.)
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;EN-US;Q281858

You can also use the "online clips" stuff to get most of those old clips
from the web. http://dgl.microsoft.com/ will take you there directly.

Oh...I would never shoot the messenger, I may want to send a message
back..<vbg> I did notice that the Clipart part did look different in 2002,
which is fine. I'll check out all the information you've listed here and see
if I can get this straightened out somehow. It's really hard to be this
confused, and my confused gets confused too. ??

Thanks for all your help Echo, I really do appreciate it.

Jan

 

[Echo S]

Yes, I added the border when I first created the certificate a few years
ago
when we first got 2000. And, I just did a new certificate using the same
master certificate 3 months ago in PPT 2000 and all the borders were in
the
list. So was the Clipart. But, not now. There is nothing being displayed
in
the list of borders where borders are normally listed.

This is the "borders and frames" part of the Clip Gallery, right? Or is it
the Format/Borders and Shading from PPT's menubar?

No, when I click on the Clipart, there is nothing displayed at all. I can
go
to the Pictures | From File and I have my own selection of clipart that I
normally use, but, if I go to the Clipart gallery, there is nothing there.

Ok, that actually makes sense in a way. See, the Clip Gallery (PPT 2000)
uses *.CAG files to categorize clips. If that file has become corrupt, the
Gallery would no longer be able to categorize clips, so you might see blank
folders as you described. The actual clip images would still be on your
harddrive, which is why you can see them via Insert/Pictures/From File, but
if Clip Gallery doesn't know what to do with those files, well...

Can you see any clips in the Clip Gallery? Is it just the borders "folder"
in Clip Gallery which is causing you problems, or are all the clips gone
from the Clip Gallery?

Both the Clipart gallery and the page borders are listed and visible in
2002, but, not in 2000.

Aha. That's because the clipart gallery in PPT 2002 is actually the Clip
Organizer. So what you're seeing here is that the Clip Organizer is working
(PPT 2002), but the Clip Gallery (PPT 2000) isn't.

Yes, I understand....me too Echo...<g> I'm trying to sort this all out
and
I'm not getting very far. When I open the certificate in 2000, the page
border does not appear, because, as I can only guess, there is nothing it
can find to support that page border or any other. When I first saw that
the page border was missing, I thought it just got chagned somehow and was
going to add it back in, but, there was nothing there to select from.

Now I see what you were getting at. The odd thing is that there's no reason
the page border should disappear in 2000, even though the Clip Gallery isn't
working right. An inserted clipart is like any inserted image -- it's
embedded in the file unless you specifically told it to be linked. And I
don't even know that you *can* specify a clip inserted via Clip Gallery to
be linked.

I think you've got a 2000 display problem, honestly. Tell you what, why not
try this as a test? Open PPT 2000, open that certificate file, and with
nothing selected, hit your Tab button (repeatedly) to go through all the
objects on the slide. (Or use that "select multiple" trick you learned at

When I open the same certificate in 2002, the page border shows up,
because,
again I am guessing, the page border is available in the 2002 files, and
so
is the Clipart Gallery. So, both of them are available in 2002, but, not
2000. It's like, the files have been taken over by 2002, and 2000 no
longer
has any, or there is a folder directory issue I can't find in 2000 to
redirect these to the right folders or files for 2000.

I understand why you've reached the conclusion you have, but I'm not
convinced that the availability of the Clip Organizer in 2002 explains the
disappearance of the border clip in 2000.

Oh...I would never shoot the messenger, I may want to send a message
back..<vbg> I did notice that the Clipart part did look different in 2002,
which is fine. I'll check out all the information you've listed here and
see
if I can get this straightened out somehow. It's really hard to be this
confused, and my confused gets confused too. ??

heheh. One other thing you might try, assuming that a "broken" Clip Gallery
(PPT 2000) really is the issue here. The Clip Gallery has its own help
files. Open Clip Gallery (by going to Insert/Picture/Clip Art) and click the
Help button. (Remember, Clip Gallery = PPT 2000.) Then go to the
Troubleshooting chapter. See the section on "artgal50.mmc is corrupt?" Also
go to the Index tab in the Help files and type in Compact. See if doing the
things listed under "compacting Clip Gallery database" helps.

If you can't get to the Clip Gallery help files for whatever reason, holler
back and I'll email you those parts.

Echo

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

This is a good question, and I'm sure the answer is yes. I just don't

know what files they do share for sure. Well, I figure graphics
filters would be one type of shared file, but I don't know what else.

Graphics filters for sure.
Most probably anything that gets installed into the \Windows, \System or
\System32 folders, and with two versions installed, a single uninstall
wouldn't remove any of it, as it'd likely be marked as in use by multiple
versions. Reinstalls wouldn't overwrite anything, as the newest almost
always wins. The installer won't overwrite newer DLLs with older DLLs. Or
Gherkins.

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Absolutely, though I don't know that a complete list is documented
anywhere.

<harumph> Hardly.

OK, The Clip Art Gallery Goddess?
Better?

Well, since PPT 2000 uses the Clip Gallery and PPT 2002 uses the Clip
Organizer, there's not as much overlap in the actual "working" files as
you might think. I don't think that Organizer reads the CAG and MMC
files from the Gallery, which is why the keywords from old clips don't
transfer. Although you can access the actual clips from both programs
(Gallery and Organizer), I don't think the actual "inner workings" are
the same.

You're doing great, Your Majesty. I'm clueless about this stuff.