In PowerPoint 2003, when you try to open a presentation file was created in an earlier version of PowerPoint, the presentation file does not open, or the presentation file opens slower than you expect (899905)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003, when you try to open a presentation file was created in an earlier version of PowerPoint, you experience one of the following symptoms:
  • The presentation file does not open. Additionally, PowerPoint 2003 may stop responding (hang).
  • The presentation file opens slower than you expect. Additionally, the transition between slides takes longer than you expect.

CAUSE

This problem may occur when the following conditions are true:
  • One or more Windows Metafile (.wmf) graphics files are used in the presentation file. These .wmf files may be repeated throughout the presentation file.
  • The .wmf files that are used in the presentation file have very large file sizes.

RESOLUTION

How to obtain the hotfix

This issue is fixed in the Microsoft Office 2003 post-Service Pack 2 Hotfix Package that is dated November 10, 2005. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

898778 Description of the Microsoft Office 2003 post-Service Pack 2 hotfix package: November 10, 2005

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
To enable this hotfix, follow these steps:
  1. Quit your Office 2003 programs.
  2. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  3. Locate and then click to select the following registry key:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Common\GELPrefs

  4. After you select the key that is specified in step 3, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click DWORD Value.
  5. Type DrawMFSAsEmfPlus, and then press ENTER.
  6. Right-click DrawMFSAsEmfPlus, and then click Modify.
  7. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
  8. On the File menu, click Exit to quit Registry Editor.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/25/2006
Keywords:kbslideshow kbdisplay kbformat kbopenfile kbsavefile kbgraphic kbHotfixRollup kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbpubtypekc KB899905 kbAudITPRO kbAudEndUser
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