Application hangs when trying to change design template

  • Thread starter Thread starter David Massey
  • Start date Start date
D

David Massey

I'm using XP pro Office 2003 SP2.

As of 2 weeks ago (and I don't know what I've done to cause this) whenever I
try to change a design template or even select a template for a new
presentation the whole application hangs.

I've also noticed that office is very slow to open a new document from the
start/programmes menu.

David
 
Have you cleaned up and defragged your system lately? You might try Detect
and Repair to see if that will clear up your problem.
 
I'm using XP pro Office 2003 SP2.

As of 2 weeks ago (and I don't know what I've done to cause this) whenever I
try to change a design template or even select a template for a new
presentation the whole application hangs.

I've also noticed that office is very slow to open a new document from the
start/programmes menu.
Click to expand...

Are you on a network? If so, give this a try, however improbable it may seem
at first glance:

Locate ten PPT files on your local hard drive, NOT on the network.
Start PowerPoint and use File, Open to open each of these files one at a time.
Quit PowerPoint.

Now try opening a new doc from the Start/Programs menu
 
Dear Steve

Yes I am normally on a network but have been away travelling. I did what you
said and it worked. I am extremly grateful.

Am I going to have the same problem again?

David
 
Dear Steve

Yes I am normally on a network but have been away travelling. I did what you
said and it worked. I am extremly grateful.
Click to expand...

He shoots (in the dark)! He scores. Amazing. Thanks for letting us know it
worked.

Here's what's going on: when starting up, PPT seems to check each file on the
Most Recently Used (MRU) list (the numbered list of files you see at the bottom
of the File menu). With local files, this is almost instantaneous but with
network files, it may not get an immediate "Yes the file's here/No the file's
not here" back from the network. Um. Especially if the network isn't
connected. So it waits for a preset "network timeout" period to expire and
then moves on. Problem is, that may be 30 seconds or so. With 9 slots on the
MRU, that means you might be waiting a good long while for it to wake up.
Am I going to have the same problem again?
Click to expand...

I'd expect so ... any time you've got a network file on the MRU list.

You may want to experiment with turning off the MRU list (Tools, Options,
remove the check next to "Recently used file list") you disconnect from the
network.

Or use this little macro:

Fill the MRU (Most Recently Used) list with bogus file names
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00373.htm
 
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