Project 2007 SP2 Crash - every time I try to unlink tasks

[pjelliott]

Over the past two days, using a consolidated programme that I've been using
for a while with no problems, every thime I attempt to unlink tasks or change
the type of dependency either by double-clicking the link or selecting the
two linked tasks and using the unlink icon, Project crashes.
Project recognised this and ran a diagnostic which found one issue that it
repaired automatically but, even after this the problem has not gone away.
I am unable to unlink any tasks (either within a single inserted project or
across two inserted projectes).
Clearly infuriating and totally preventing me from updating and using the
programme as required.
I've OK'd all of the 'send information of this problem to Microsoft'
requests when asked, but no resolution. Got a screendump of the error message
and details as sent to MS but can't attach to posts on this page.
HELP!
Kind regards
Peter

 

[Rob Schneider]

Over the past two days, using a consolidated programme that I've been using
for a while with no problems, every thime I attempt to unlink tasks or change
the type of dependency either by double-clicking the link or selecting the
two linked tasks and using the unlink icon, Project crashes.
Project recognised this and ran a diagnostic which found one issue that it
repaired automatically but, even after this the problem has not gone away.
I am unable to unlink any tasks (either within a single inserted project or
across two inserted projectes).
Clearly infuriating and totally preventing me from updating and using the
programme as required.
I've OK'd all of the 'send information of this problem to Microsoft'
requests when asked, but no resolution. Got a screendump of the error message
and details as sent to MS but can't attach to posts on this page.
HELP!
Kind regards
Peter

Peter,

I can only think that the file(s) has become corrupted. Alternatively,
the executable files of the program or Windows has become corrupted on
the hard disk.

Re the file corruption, move back one version of the files to a version
not corrupted. If this not possible or practical, see
http://project.mvps.org/faqs.htm Q: 43 where that's discussed by the
MVP's in the FAQ.

Re if the computer disk is starting to fail ... over the years I've
coaxed more than one hard disk back into shape with GRC's SpinRite.

"Sending Information" to Microsoft, as I understand, just dumps the data
into a big database. I'm sure it's useful to them at some point, but
they don't use it as a process of customer support. They won't be
getting back to you.

 

[pjelliott]

Rob

Thanks for the posting.

Must admit I do get quite frustrated by Project files becoming corrupted -
seems this is far more common with Project than Word/Excel/PowerPoint etc and
usuallly ends up in lost data or, at the very least, a lot of unnnecessary
extra work!

Regards

Peter

 

[Rob Schneider]

The cause of corruption is getting better understood. Frankly, I don't
understand why it can't be fixed by Microsoft, but apparently not a
priority.

Search this newsgroup for lots of good advice. In a nutshell, happens
when using links (shared resource files, linked subproject files, OLE
links, etc.) esp with multiple people involved.

Knock on wood, I've not had a corrupted file for years despite shareing
rsource files and linked subprojects. I do this by ensuring that
whenever the files are opened, no matter who does this, Project "thinks"
it is a non changing location for all files. I do this by keeping all
files in SharePoint (for file versioning and security) and then always
checking them out in to the exact same location for everyone
(c:\mpp\..."). Seems to work. And when we have a problem with mistakes
(or dread, corruption), it's trivially easy to go back a version.

 

[Jim Spiller]

We have noticed various problems with Proj 2007 SP2 (the biggest being a
cut/copy and paste of a summary task does not include its subtasks). It took
me about 2 minutes to reproduce the crash you are seeing when unlinking
tasks with inserted projects while using SP2. I could also reproduce this in
Project 2007 SP1 but could not in Project 2003. This would seem to indicate
a bug in Project 2007 and not corruption. Let's hope Microsoft fixes these
soon... Please...

Here is how to re-create the crash:

Inserted Project 1
Task 1
Inserted Project 2
Task 2 (linked to Task 3 and Task 5)
Task 3
Task 4 (linked to Task 1)
Task 5 (linked to Task 4)

After linking, doubleclick the link between Task 2 and Task 5 and delete it.
It crashes consistently on Proj 2007 SP1 and SP2 but not in Project 2003. I
haven't tried Project 2007 with no service packs installed. I'll send this
on to Microsoft but if someone could confirm that it also happens to them it
would help.

 

[Rob Schneider]

Cool. Well done. One for the MVP's to pass on to Microsoft.

(I'll print hand hand to Microsoft at the Microsoft Conference in
Phoenix, given the opportunity).