File Compatability Powerpoint 2000 and Powerpoint X for Mac

[njbob560]

Powerpoint 2000 files produced on a PC running Windows XP will not open
in Powerpoint X for Mac running on my iMac. I get message saying file
is either open, corrupt, or not in recognized format. The files open
and run fine on PC so they don't seem corrupted. Any thoughts on what
is problem and how solved would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Powerpoint 2000 files produced on a PC running Windows XP will not open
in Powerpoint X for Mac running on my iMac. I get message saying file
is either open, corrupt, or not in recognized format. The files open
and run fine on PC so they don't seem corrupted. Any thoughts on what
is problem and how solved would be appreciated. Thanks.

A couple questions that might shed light:

How did the file get to the Mac?

Is the file now on the Mac's hard drive or on a network or external drive?

Is there any chance that the file was originally produced in Windows PPT 2002
or higher, rather than 2000 and that the file has a password applied?

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

 

[njbob560]

Powerpoint files were originally produced in Windows '98 and Windows XP
during a period of 1998 through 2002.

(Word files created on same OS platform and same versions of MS Office
work fine on iMac. Just not the ppt files.)

PPT files were ported to my iMac hard drive by CD-ROM, Compact Flash
card, and/or my .MAC iDisk connection.

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Powerpoint files were originally produced in Windows '98 and Windows XP
during a period of 1998 through 2002.

Windows version isn't important, it's the PowerPoint version that we need to
know. If 2002 or later, the user may have applied a password. If they do
that, Mac PPT will report the file as unopenable.

PPT files were ported to my iMac hard drive by CD-ROM, Compact Flash
card, and/or my .MAC iDisk connection.

Let's simplify it.

Pick one of the files that won't open. Have the PC user copy it to the Compact
Flash card. They should then tell Windows explorer to EJECT the card
(rightclick the card's icon and choose Eject). If the card's in an external
USB reader, they should use the icon in the lower right of their screen to STOP
the USB device. Only then should they remove the card.

This will help eliminate one possibility of file corruption.

At your end, copy the file from the card to your HDD and open it from the HDD,
not the card.

Then what happens?

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