MS Project 98 to 2000 to 2003

[Big_Bad_Yellow_Eskimo]

Hi,

I have been working with MS Project for the past 5 years. Up to now, we
never had any problems using it through a common network drive. All the end
users are using MS Project 2000 and above. The current set up is as follow:
1: 1 common resource pool file initially created with MS Project 98 and
updated and saved with MS Project 2000.
2: ~20 different end users editing plans from an MS Project 98 Template file
that has been up dated to MS Project 2000 and connected to the Resource Pool.
3: Finally, new end users using MS Project 2003 file BUT some of the files
are still versions of the initial MS Project 1998.

Recently, i.e. new end users using MS Project 2003, we started to
experienced some big problems. Here's the symptoms:
NOTE: Only MS Project 2003 users are having these problems.
1: If one of their file is inserted in a Master Project file and if they
work on the original file, they can't save any of their work and if they
close & open the file again, it's corrupted to the point that it can't be
opened at all. We fixed the problem by stopping using consolidated plans
(MAster Plans). It was unfortunate but it worked for a while.
2: Problem has re-appeared despite the fact that consolidation plans do not
exist. Same symptoms as above.

Questions:
1: Does it have something to do with the original version i.e. MS Project
1998 Vs 2003?
2: Should the Resource Pool be updated to MS Project 2003?
3: In 1 of the message error we are having, MS Project is suggesting to open
the file with the original s/w and save it as .mpx format. We do not have MS
Project 1998 installed anymore. What can we do?

HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards,

Big_Bad

 

[Rod Gill]

I think you need to open all Project 98 files in Project 2000 and save them
in 2000 format.

Then in Project 2003, any files that are having problems, open then save as
to xml and close. Open the xml version and save as to .mpp

You say you had the template attached to the resource pool? If you did that
would likely cause a corruption in any version sooner or later.

Project 2000 should be able to open a 2003 file, make edits and save and
2003 not lose any 2003 features.

I would unattach all files from the resource pool. Delete the pool then
create a new, blank pool. Re-Attach files again. make sure no one EVER
over-writes a file, renames it or moves it whilst attached to the pool.
Corruption will happen sooner or later if they do.

 

[Big_Bad_Yellow_Eskimo]

Thank You very much Rod for the quick reply.

A few things:

I think you need to open all Project 98 files in Project 2000 and save them
in 2000 format.

DONE and OK.

I would unattach all files from the resource pool. Delete the pool then
create a new, blank pool. Re-Attach files again. make sure no one EVER
over-writes a file, renames it or moves it whilst attached to the pool.
Corruption will happen sooner or later if they do.

SHOULD I CREATE THE NEW RESOURCE POOL USING MSP 2000 or 2003?

Regards,