Cannot open PowerPoint 2003 file in PowerPoint XP

We have a lengthy PowerPoint file. It was created in PPT 2007, but saved as
a PPT 97-2003 file. The file works fine in PowerPoint 2003 and in 2007.

However, when the file is opened with Office XP, the file opens, then
flashes the "PowerPoint has experienced a problem, and has to close" error
dialog box.

We tried to use the 2003 Viewer, but that hangs after opening the file.

I was under the impression that PowerPoint XP could handle files in the
97-2003 format, but this has thrown me.

We have tried different versions of the file, and have done other
troubleshooting/elimination problem solving.

This has occurred on multiple computers, operated by different customers.
It also happens on my computers, each of which has 2gb of RAM or more. One
is running WinXP, while the other is running Vista.

It appears as though this file, built with PPT 2007 and saved as a PPT 2003
file, cannot be opened on a machine running PPT XP.

Any ideas? Time is of the essence. Many of our customers cannot upgrade
to newer versions of Office right now, because they have government
computers, and they have budgetary issues. We would like to offer them a
file that they all could use!

Thanks,
Steve

Sorry, but you've posted to a Mac PPt forum. You'll probably get more
suggetions if you go to:

http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/FlyoutOverview.mspx

But in the meantime have you tried PPt 2007's Compatibility checker (from
the Office Button)? Even though the file format of 97-2003 is the same,
feature content varies & and there may be content in the file that 2002 just
can't handle - Office 2002 (XP) in general is one of the flakier pieces of
work MS has ever released:-)
--
Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

"Steve ashley" wrote in message

> We have a lengthy PowerPoint file. It was created in PPT 2007, but saved
> as
> a PPT 97-2003 file. The file works fine in PowerPoint 2003 and in 2007.
>
> However, when the file is opened with Office XP, the file opens, then
> flashes the "PowerPoint has experienced a problem, and has to close" error
> dialog box.
>
> We tried to use the 2003 Viewer, but that hangs after opening the file.
>
> I was under the impression that PowerPoint XP could handle files in the
> 97-2003 format, but this has thrown me.
>
> We have tried different versions of the file, and have done other
> troubleshooting/elimination problem solving.
>
> This has occurred on multiple computers, operated by different customers.
> It also happens on my computers, each of which has 2gb of RAM or more.
> One
> is running WinXP, while the other is running Vista.
>
> It appears as though this file, built with PPT 2007 and saved as a PPT
> 2003
> file, cannot be opened on a machine running PPT XP.
>
> Any ideas? Time is of the essence. Many of our customers cannot upgrade
> to newer versions of Office right now, because they have government
> computers, and they have budgetary issues. We would like to offer them a
> file that they all could use!
>
> Thanks,
> Steve
>