I have a relatively large number of older (Circa 1994- 1996) power
point files which I believe are PowerPoint 95 (Office 95) files.  Can
anyone suggest a reliable means of updating or converting the files or
otherwise getting Office 2007 to open them?

Here is what I've done so far:

1.  When I try to open them in Office 2007, I get a message that
"PowerPoint can't open the type of file represented by "c:\....
dbapfl7a.ppt".  

2.  After spending all day reading various knowledge base articles and
other information, I suspect this is a result of the improved security
offered by Office 2003 and 2007, which precludes converters from
running without some draconian editing of the registry and/or other
changes.  

3.  I had a similar problem with older word documents, but was able to
resolve it through revision of security settings (adding some trusted
locations) so that I can open all of the older word files.  

4.  However, I have been unsuccessful attempting this with the
PowerPoint files.  And the MS KB articles/technet information appears
to indicate that the converters will not run unless I provide
appropriate security policies, which seem to require that I use SMS
and be on a domain.  That's a lot for a few computers on a workgroup.

Questions:

A.  Can I reinstall Office 95 (power point only) on one of my machines
to read these? I am running Windows XP Pro on a Sony Laptop with fair
speed and enough hard drive space. Will it even run on that?  What
then?  How about Office 97 or 2000?  If I do so, how to I avoid
problems with Office 2007? (file associations, etc.)

B.  Are there any converters out there that work?  I could have paid a
lot for one with the time I've wasted on this today.

C.  Other suggestions????

Thanks,
Bob