Strange Message

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Richard M - 21 Aug 2006 10:39 GMT

I run Windows XP and Office 2003. When I start Windows - and sometimes in
between - a window pops up with the following message: "Microsoft Office
Power Point has encountered a problem and has to close." Then follows
information if I want to start it in safe mode, etc. I can't figure out what
this is all about. Power Point seems to operate normally.

Please help.... Richard

Reply to this Message

kim - 21 Aug 2006 14:35 GMT

Hey Richard.

This is a mystery I have been trying to figure out for almost a year.
Just out of curiosity, what type of computer are you using? I have 4
Sony Vaios here, and it has happened to all of them. Also, do you use
any PowerPoint plugins? (ie: PPTools) Because this issue occured AFTER
I installed some of these.

There is a file on the C drive called PPT11.pcb. When I copied this
file from one of my Vaios that wasn't going into safe mode, it would
fix the issue for a couple weeks.

Unfortunately I don't have a long term solution for you, but I'm hoping
someone out there does?

> I run Windows XP and Office 2003. When I start Windows - and sometimes in
> between - a window pops up with the following message: "Microsoft Office
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Please help.... Richard

Reply to this Message

Richard M - 21 Aug 2006 14:43 GMT

Hi Kim

I use a Dell Inspiration. I'm already glad that I'm not all alone with
this.... The problem appeared just out of the blue, but I will have a look
at the plug-ins and your suggestion. Maybe someone can help further.

Happy times, Richard

> Hey Richard.
>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>>
>> Please help.... Richard

Reply to this Message

Echo S - 21 Aug 2006 16:04 GMT

Rarely do issues really happen "out of the blue." Something causes them.

I think the suggestion to look at your add-ins is a good one. Thing is,
there are a lot of different types of addins. This FAQ has some information
on how to see what add-ins are installed:

What add-ins are loaded?
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00655.htm

Using the list generated by this code, disable or uninstall all the add-ins
and then see if you can pinpoint the problem by reinstalling and testing one
at a time.

Signature

Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/
PPTLive! Sept 17-20, 2006 http://www.pptlive.com

> Hi Kim
>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>>>
>>> Please help.... Richard

Reply to this Message

Richard M - 21 Aug 2006 19:59 GMT

I appreciate that stuff doesn't happen out of the blue, but I have no clue
what could have triggered it. It's got to be something during start up as
the message comes up without me starting Power Point. Why does it close
something that I didn't start? I have no pug-ins installed. When I start
Power Point it stes that there was problem and if I want to start it in safe
mode.

Strange stuff.... Richard

> Rarely do issues really happen "out of the blue." Something causes them.
>
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
>>>>
>>>> Please help.... Richard

Reply to this Message

Echo S - 21 Aug 2006 20:48 GMT

So the word Windows below wasn't a typo? Wow. That is strange, but I'd still
lean toward an add-in.

Did you try running the code in the link to the FAQ to double-check for
add-ins? They aren't all listed in Tools|Add-ins, so it's good to check via
that code instead.

Signature

>I appreciate that stuff doesn't happen out of the blue, but I have no clue
>what could have triggered it. It's got to be something during start up as
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Strange stuff.... Richard

Reply to this Message

Richard M - 22 Aug 2006 09:10 GMT

It turns out that you're right. It was OmiPage that created the problem. I
realized the problem started after I installed it. Once I removed the entire
problem the message no longer appeared. Now I need a new scan software....

Many thanks help, Richard

> So the word Windows below wasn't a typo? Wow. That is strange, but I'd
> still lean toward an add-in.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>>
>> Strange stuff.... Richard

Reply to this Message

Echo S - 22 Aug 2006 16:06 GMT

That's great news! Not that it happened, of course, but that you were able
to pinpoint it!

Did OmniPage show up when you ran the code, then? I'm asking because this
often happens -- we suggest an add-in is causing problems, and the user
says, "I don't have any add-ins." It's especially hard when utilities might
hook into PPT, but the user might not even realize it. So I'm trying to see
if those also show up if you run the code from that FAQ link.

Signature

> It turns out that you're right. It was OmiPage that created the problem. I
> realized the problem started after I installed it. Once I removed the
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>>>
>>> Strange stuff.... Richard

Reply to this Message

Richard M - 23 Aug 2006 08:10 GMT

Hi,

No, I couldn't get the code to run. I finally took to heart what you said:
Nothing happens out of the blue. I started to think of everything I did
before the message started to appear (I know, I should have done this in the
first place). The only program loaded was Omni Page and that caused. I have
no idea why, though.

Have a great day, Richard

> That's great news! Not that it happened, of course, but that you were able
> to pinpoint it!
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>>>>
>>>> Strange stuff.... Richard

Reply to this Message

Echo S - 23 Aug 2006 15:38 GMT

Oh, well, good old fashioned detective work still comes into play now and
then.

Thank you for following up, Richard. Appreciate it. (I'm bummed you couldn't
get the code to run.)

Signature

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>>>>>
>>>>> Strange stuff.... Richard

Reply to this Message

Steve Rindsberg - 24 Aug 2006 20:28 GMT

> That's great news! Not that it happened, of course, but that you were able
> to pinpoint it!
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> hook into PPT, but the user might not even realize it. So I'm trying to see
> if those also show up if you run the code from that FAQ link.

At least some versions of their software should show up. I've run into
conflicts with them before.

-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

Reply to this Message

Austin Myers - 21 Aug 2006 21:00 GMT

Richard, have you ran "Detect and Repair" for Office? If not that would be
my first step.

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

Provider of PFCMedia http://www.pfcmedia.com

>I run Windows XP and Office 2003. When I start Windows - and sometimes in
>between - a window pops up with the following message: "Microsoft Office
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Please help.... Richard

Reply to this Message

Richard M - 23 Aug 2006 08:12 GMT

Yes, it was the first thing I did. But it didn't help. It's Omni Page that
caused the problem. Once removed, the problem disappeared.

Regards, Richard

> Richard, have you ran "Detect and Repair" for Office? If not that would
> be my first step.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>>
>> Please help.... Richard

Reply to this Message