Project Professional 2003 Service Pack 3

[Chains]

Hi,

I've just installed SP3 for MSP 2003 Pro in an attempt to improve the
stability of my Master schedule, however I now find that I can't open any of
my schedules.

There is nothing peculiar about my schedules, no security on them, etc.

I get the "An unexpected error occurred during command execution" error that
seems to be relatively common amongst messages across various newsgroups, but
there doesn't seem to be an answer or a solution.

As a consequence I now have to restore my system to a pre-SP3 point so that
I can view my schedules.

Surely this must be a widespread problem, can anyone offer a solution or any
ideas?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[mwillsuk]

I've got the same issue but it appears to be limited to schedules with macros.
If memory serves this was also an issue with Project 98 when opening files
saved in an earlier version which was related to length of module names.
I'm also looking for a solution or workaround that doesn't require me to
reinstall to a pre-SP3 version of Project 2003

 

[John]

I've got the same issue but it appears to be limited to schedules with
macros.
If memory serves this was also an issue with Project 98 when opening files
saved in an earlier version which was related to length of module names.
I'm also looking for a solution or workaround that doesn't require me to
reinstall to a pre-SP3 version of Project 2003

mwillsuk,
The main thing I don't like about the SP3 update is that the increased
security makes it more difficult to work with legacy formats. The same
security feature is incorporated into Project 2007, although 2007 uses a
different data format anyway. For my needs I did create a new virtual
machine with Project 2003 + SP3 mainly to help users like yourself who
post to this newsgroup. Otherwise I probably will not use SP3.

I don't know if this will help, but you might try going to
Tools/Options/Security and checking the option to allow loading files
with legacy or non default file formats.

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP

 

[sjdana]

I just had the same problem after editing a file and saving it. All of a
sudden it wouldn't open with my Project 2003 (SP3). I had someone else open
and re-save it with Project 2000 and that apparently cured it.

Steve.

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to this Microsoft Project newsgroup

Some people are having problems where the project contains macros. This is
apparently because of the increased security introduced by SR3. Try
reducing the security setting: Tools/Macros/Security...

FAQs, companion products and other useful Project information can be seen at
this web address: http://project.mvps.org/faqs.htm

Hope this helps - please let us know how you get on

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP
See http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc for Project Tutorials

 

[tigerman97123]

Hi Chris,

I'm using Microsoft Project 2003 Service Pack 2 and I'm running into the
same issue and error message "An unexpected error occurred during command
execution." I'm unable to open my project plan. I'm right in the middle of
a large project to move the county's largest computer system to new hardware
and I can't open my project plan.

I deleted all macros and it does NOT help. I get the same error.

My IT department deployed Security Update KB948962 for MS Project 2003 to
all county desktop machines. I can uninstall that update and it allows me to
open my project plan. Unfortunately, the security update automatically
re-installs its self in a matter of hours and I'm right back where I can not
open my project plan.

I can't believe there is no solution for this! Frustrating... I hope we
find one soon... I wish Microsoft would help! They created the problem.

Lets keep our fingers crossed.

Dan (tigerman97123)

 

[JulieS]

Hello Dan,

I suggest asking your IT department if it's possible to test a copy of
your file on a Project 2003 SP-3 machine. Make sure you change the
security settings in SP-3 as Mike notes below.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[tigerman97123]

Hi Julie,

Thanks for the suggestion but it does not makes sense since this same issue
exists in SP-3. I'm part of the IT department and they are NOT planning on
rolling out SP-3 any time soon. I'm also hearing in this thread that this
issue still exists in SP-3. Most of this thread is about this issue in SP-3.

I see this as a serious BUG created by Microsoft in a security update. I
can't believe Microsoft if not fixing a BUG that prevents people from opening
their project plans.

 

[JulieS]

Hi Dan,

I understand your frustration.

A quick google search on the error message in the project newsgroups
shows that error message going back to 1999 with a wide variety of
apparent issues reported. Unfortunately without being able to track
down the specifics of what is causing the error, it's impossible to
determine if it is truly a bug in the security update or an issue with
a specific file that may have failed for other reasons.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

Best,
Julie

 

[Ancient Brit]

I've just been through the same crap in a similar situation. The difference
in my case was that while IT did roll out some KBs (and they appeared in the
WINNT folder), Windows Update Agent *also* sneakily installed KB948962 at
around the same time, but that activity only showed up in the system event
viewer!

The fun of working in an enterprise environment...

Luckily I was able to do as Dan did - uninstall the little perisher - but of
course next time I connect to the corporate network the dratted thing will
re-install.

I already discovered what a total crock SP3 for Project is, and so I won't
have it on any of the systems in my home office, and I certainly won't let
Windows Update Agent do squat to my systems without me hovering over it every
inch of the way (and even then I'm not happy about it - can you tell? )

I almost lost countless hours of work on a very complex macro - it was only
because I was able to open my supposed "problem" project file on a system
untainted by Microsoft's "security updates" that I even knew there had to be
another reason for the hiccup.

The next obstacle is persuading corporate IT that KB948962 is the culprit...

Thank $%^&* for this forum!

Best,

Peter

 

[Ancient Brit]

I have a follow-up to this for anyone who is looking for a solution.

Apparently Microsoft did roll out a fix for KB948962 on some Premium Support
Site that they operate, but haven't made it widely known.

So far I only know that the fix exists and that when applied to two systems
I use, it resolves the problems with opening projects that have macros when
KB948962 has been applied. There are apparently still problems with certain
legacy file formats but for straight MSPJ2003 SP2 files it does the job.

If I can get more details of the file(s) and/or location to obtain it, I'll
post it here.

Otherwise, blag Microsoft for the workaround - they do have one!

Best,

Peter

 

[GilbertoMCP]

URGENT !!!

Please, send the fix to (e-mail address removed).

We had the same problem. Do you know any way to uninstall this fix by script ?

 

[Rowie]

Did you have success?

I run a number of MS Project 03 files with SP2 because when our IT dept
rolled out SP3 I was unable to open any of my files (Macro Error Messages)
and as such am still on SP2.

We will be upgrading to 2007 but I need to have SP3 up and running without
any errors first before I can make this move.

Have the Project problems with SP3 been ironed out?

Thanks
Rowena

 

[Juan Montes]

Peter,

Would you be able to post the location of fix? I would really appreicate it if you could.

Thanks and best regrds,

-- Juan

 

[JulieS]

Hello Juan,

See : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948962

I recommend installing SP-3 to Project.

Julie