PPT97: "Unable to Save File" Error Opening PowerPoint 4.0 Formatted File

When you attempt to open a PowerPoint 97 presentation saved in PowerPoint 4.0 file format, you receive the following error message within about thirty seconds of attempting to open it and the file does not open: This behavior occurs when all of the following conditions are true:

• You are using Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Workstation or Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server.
  
  -and-
• You are using Microsoft Client Service for NetWare or Microsoft Gateway Services for NetWare.
  
  -and-
• Your default printer is set to a printing device connected to a Novell print server.
  
  -and-
• You are trying to open a PowerPoint 4.0 presentation in PowerPoint 97.
  
  - and -
• You are disconnected from the network.

NOTE: If any one of the above conditions is not true, the document will open correctly.

This problem occurs when Microsoft Gateway Services for NetWare or Microsoft Client Services for NetWare is running on the computer, the default printer is connected to a Netware Server, and the computer is disconnected from the network. When you save the PowerPoint presentation, information about the default printer is saved in the file. When you attempt to open the presentation, PowerPoint tries to find the default printer. Because the computer is disconnected from the network, PowerPoint cannot find the network printer and you receive the error message described in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Install a Printer on LPT1

Install a printer on the local port (LPT1) and set this printer as the default printer. By installing a printer on the local port even if you are not physically connected to the printer, PowerPoint will open the file.

Method 2: Install a Printer on a Windows NT Server

Install a printer that is connected to a Windows NT server and set this printer as the default printer. By installing a printer on the Windows NT server, PowerPoint will open the file.

Method 3: Install InterNetWare Client

Install InterNetWare Client. Although it may take about thirty seconds for PowerPoint to open the file, it will open.

Method 4: Install PowerPoint 97 Service Release 2 (SR-2)

To correct this problem, obtain Microsoft PowerPoint 97 Service Release 2 (SR-2).

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Office 97 Service Release 2(SR-2).

For additional information about SR-2, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: