Problem with ConvertToShape with word 2003 and PERL

[simon.john.cameron]

I am facing a really really frustrating problem. I have searched
extensively for a solution but have not found anything.

The code I am trying to run from a PERL script started as a service is:

my $shape1 = $inlineShape1->ConvertToShape();
if ($OLEError = Win32::OLE->LastError()) {
PDF::Tracemsg( "findReplaceSignatureTag -> ConvertToShape :
" . $OLEError);
return -1;
}

The error message I get is:

findReplaceSignatureTag -> ConvertToShape : Win32::OLE(0.1502) error
0x80004005: "Unspecified error"
in METHOD/PROPERTYGET "ConvertToShape"

Where this gets really strange is that I do not face this error with
Word 2000 when the PERL script is started as a service or when the PERL
script is started from the command line.

I also do not get this error if the PERL script is run from the command
line with Word 2003.

This only occurs with Word 2003 when the PERL script is started as a
service. (In this case all the previous steps of opening word doc etc
are working just fine.)

Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated as I am really stuck
with this.

Best regards

Simon