Why does Google Maps want to install PowerPoint

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Jim162NPR - 19 Jun 2007 03:31 GMT

I have XP Home, and I have Office 2003 installed. Prior to that I had
installed PowerPoint 2000 (which I had transferred from my Windows 98
computer). When I installed Office 2003, I tried to uninstall PowerPoint
2000 but it seems to have some left some residue. It's listed on the
Add/Remove Programs list, but won't let me uninstall. Furthermore, when I
log onto some websites, most notably Google Maps, I get a popup box that
says, "Please wait while Windows configures Microsoft PowerPoint 2000." I
usually click the "Cancel" button, but if I don't get to it in time, the next
popup box tells me the feature I'm trying to access is on a CD-ROM or
removable media that is not available, and asks me to insert the Microsoft
PowerPoint disk. I don't suppose it hurts anything, but I would really like
to get rid of this annoying message. Any ideas?

Reply to this Message

Steve Rindsberg - 19 Jun 2007 13:45 GMT

> I have XP Home, and I have Office 2003 installed. Prior to that I had
> installed PowerPoint 2000 (which I had transferred from my Windows 98
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> PowerPoint disk. I don't suppose it hurts anything, but I would really like
> to get rid of this annoying message. Any ideas?

Haven't a clue why accessing the Google Maps site would get PPT all hot to trot,
but try this: start PPT 2003, choose Help, Detect and Repair. Let that run its
course. After that try not to start PPT 2000 again if possible, as starting it
may reset some of the things that Detect and Repair fixed.

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

Reply to this Message

Jim162NPR - 20 Jun 2007 01:39 GMT

It's not only Google Maps. Some other mapping sites do the same thing. I
can't remember which ones. I'll try your suggestion; however, I don't ever
run PPT 2000. In fact it's not even on my computer. I think my uninstall
attempt left some residue in the registry that PPT 2000 is trying to use to
resurrect itself.

> > I have XP Home, and I have Office 2003 installed. Prior to that I had
> > installed PowerPoint 2000 (which I had transferred from my Windows 98
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> PPTools: www.pptools.com
> ================================================

Reply to this Message

Steve Rindsberg - 20 Jun 2007 03:58 GMT

> It's not only Google Maps. Some other mapping sites do the same thing. I
> can't remember which ones. I'll try your suggestion; however, I don't ever
> run PPT 2000. In fact it's not even on my computer. I think my uninstall
> attempt left some residue in the registry that PPT 2000 is trying to use to
> resurrect itself.

You might want to try running an office 2000 registry cleaner:

Completely uninstall Office - Office Erasers / Registry Cleaners
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00297.htm

It's possible that doing so could "ding" your 2003 installation though; I wouldn't do
this unless you have an Office 2003 install CD available, in case you need to rerun
the 2003 installer.

> > > I have XP Home, and I have Office 2003 installed. Prior to that I had
> > > installed PowerPoint 2000 (which I had transferred from my Windows 98
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> > PPTools: www.pptools.com
> > ================================================

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

Reply to this Message

Jim162NPR - 21 Jun 2007 03:59 GMT

What scares me is that the instructions on Microsoft's web site don't
recommend running this utility on any OS later than Windows 2000 and it has
not been tested on XP. In fact, it is supposed to be run immediately after
running the Setup program for Office 2000 and I have no idea where my
PowerPoint 2000 CD is. I had the full Office 97 Pro and then bought Word
2000 and PowerPoint 2000 separately, so I didn't uninstall Office 97 when I
installed both 2000 modules. Then when I got Office 2003, I simply
uninstalled 97 and tried to uninstall 2000 (apparently unsuccessfully).

I'm not sure I want to go traipsing through the registry searching for
references to PowerPoint 2000 and removing whatever data I find, but that
really seems to be my only option; other than ignoring the dialog boxes.
They are annoying but probably not a great risk.

> > It's not only Google Maps. Some other mapping sites do the same thing. I
> > can't remember which ones. I'll try your suggestion; however, I don't ever
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
> PPTools: www.pptools.com
> ================================================

Reply to this Message

Steve Rindsberg - 21 Jun 2007 04:29 GMT

> What scares me is that the instructions on Microsoft's web site don't
> recommend running this utility on any OS later than Windows 2000 and it has
> not been tested on XP.

True for the Office 2000 reg cleaner, but have a look at the first utility listed on the
page:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301&Product=offxp

Of course any time you start prodding at the registry, either manually or with a program
like this, there's a risk. As you say, it might be less trouble in the long run to put up
with the messages. Given the same situation, that's probably what I'd do; live with 'em
until it's time to reformat the computer and start over.

Reply to this Message

Jim162NPR - 21 Jun 2007 05:50 GMT

That DOES sound intriguing. I just might give that a look-see. Thanks!

> > What scares me is that the instructions on Microsoft's web site don't
> > recommend running this utility on any OS later than Windows 2000 and it has
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> with the messages. Given the same situation, that's probably what I'd do; live with 'em
> until it's time to reformat the computer and start over.

Reply to this Message