Err Msg: Unable to Start DDE Communications with Program Manager
This article was previously published under Q119830 SYMPTOMS
When you install Microsoft PowerPoint version 4.0 or Microsoft Publisher
version 2.0 while running Norton Desktop for Windows version 2.0 as the
shell, you receive the following error message:
Unable to Start DDE communications with Program Manager
Choosing Ignore allows the installation to continue; however, the
above error message is received once more in the final portion of the
installation. Pressing Ignore again allows you to continue and complete
the installation.
Abort, Retry, Ignore NOTE: Microsoft does not support using any shell other than Windows Explorer as the primary Windows 95 shell. If you want to use a third-party shell with Windows 95, Microsoft recommends adding it to the Startup folder. CAUSE
Norton Desktop for Windows version 2.0 does not handle shell dynamic data
exchange (DDE). When this fails, Microsoft PowerPoint 4.0 and Microsoft
Publisher 2.0 attempt to perform the DDE operation through Program Manager
(PROGMAN.EXE). For compatibility reasons, PROGMAN.EXE does not perform DDE
unless it is the active shell in Windows 95.
RESOLUTION
To avoid this error, use EXPLORER.EXE as the shell for Windows 95 and load
Norton Desktop for Windows as an application. Then install Microsoft
PowerPoint version 4.0 or Microsoft Publisher 2.0.
To deactivate Norton Desktop as the shell, replace "shell=ndw.exe" with "shell=explorer.exe" in the [boot] section of the SYSTEM.INI file using the following steps:
MORE INFORMATION
Norton Desktop for Windows version 2.0 is manufactured by Symantec, a
vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise,
regarding this product's performance or reliability.
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