PPT4: Prompt to Locate Speller Starting PowerPoint Speller
  
PSS ID Number: Q123073
Article last modified on 05-16-1998
 
4.00
 
MACINTOSH
 

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The information in this article applies to:
 
 - Microsoft PowerPoint for the Macintosh, version 4.0
 - Microsoft Office for the Macintosh, version 4.2
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SYMPTOMS
========
 
After you install Microsoft Office 4.2 and run the PowerPoint spelling
checker, you may receive the following message:
 
   Please locate the speller.
 
If you then locate MS Spelling 2 in the Microsoft folder using the dialog
box, PowerPoint gives this message:
 
   Please locate the speller dictionary.
 
At this point, one of two things may happen:
 
 - You can select the US English Dictionary, but you get the following
   message:
 
      Sorry, unable to load the main spelling
      dictionary. You should run PowerPoint Setup.
 
   This happens because MS Spelling 2 does not recognize the US English
   Dictionary located in the Microsoft folder, so although you can select
   it, you cannot spell check the document. By selecting MS Spelling 2
   instead of MS Spelling, you have cross-referenced the dictionaries for
   PowerPoint and Office.
 
 - PowerPoint does not recognize the "English Dictionary" located in the
   Microsoft folder, so you cannot select it, and you cannot spell check
   the document.
 
CAUSE
=====
 
This behavior occurs when the Microsoft PowerPoint Settings (4) file either
has been deleted from the System Folder:Preferences folder or has become
corrupted.
 
RESOLUTIONS
===========
 
Method 1: Rebuild the PowerPoint Settings (4) File
--------------------------------------------------
 
 1. Drag the "PowerPoint Settings (4)" file to the trash.
 
 2. Run Microsoft Office Setup (in maintenance mode) and choose Add/Remove.
 
 3. Under Installed Components, click the option triangle for Microsoft
    PowerPoint.
 
 4. All options will be selected by default. Leave the Microsoft PowerPoint
    option on the second level selected. Click the following options (which
    do not need to be removed) to clear them (remove the "x" from the check
    box) :
 
     - Presentation Translators
     - Help, Quick Preview
     - Templates
     - Genigraphics Drivers
     - Clip Art Files
 
 5. Under Installed Components, click the option triangle for
    Tools.
 
 6. Leave the Spelling option selected (that is, leave the "x" in
    the box). Click the other four options to clear them:
 
       - Microsoft System Information
       - Setup
       - Fonts
       - Shared Converters
 
 7. Click Continue and then click OK.
 
 8. Restart your Macintosh with the extensions turned off.
 
    NOTE: If you are running 7.6 or higher, turn extensions off
    via Extensions Manager. Leave the following extensions and
    control panels turned on:
 
     - Mac Os Easy Open (it may also be called Macintosh Easy Open)
     - Shared Library Manager
     - Shared Library Manager PPC
 
 9. Run Microsoft Office Setup again and click Add/Remove.
 
10. Under Components Not Yet Installed, click the following two
    items to select them:
 
       Microsoft PowerPoint
       Tools
 
11. Click Continue, and then click OK.
 
Method 2: Reset the Spelling Checker Locations
----------------------------------------------
 
If you can select the US English Dictionary but cannot spell check your
document, reset the spelling checker locations by doing the following:
 
1. Drag the Microsoft PowerPoint Settings (4) file to the Trash and empty
   the Trash.
 
2. Start PowerPoint. On the Tools menu, click Spelling. When the Locate
   Speller dialog box appears, click MS Spelling.
 
3. When the Locate Speller Dictionary dialog box appears, click US English
   Dictionary.
 
If neither of the above methods corrects the problem, or if the US English
dictionary does not appear as an option, you need to reinstall Microsoft
Office:
 
1. Drag the Microsoft PowerPoint Settings (4) file to the trash and empty
   it.
 
2. Run Microsoft Office Setup (in maintenance mode), and click Remove All.
 
3. Run Microsoft Office Setup from the disks, network, or compact disc, and
   reinstall Office.
 
This resolution installs the Office 4.2 MS Spelling 2 and English
Dictionary and the Microsoft PowerPoint Settings (4) file, which makes
it possible for PowerPoint to use the English Dictionary.
 
NOTE: If the PowerPoint Settings(4) file is damaged or deleted again, the
behavior will reoccur.
 
MORE INFORMATION
================
 
As a stand-alone program, PowerPoint 4.0 for the Macintosh installs its
own MS Spelling and US English Dictionary into the Microsoft folder. MS
Spelling looks for a dictionary with a file type of CDIC, which is what the
US English Dictionary is. MS Spelling cannot see the English Dictionary,
which has a file type of HMSD.
 
Microsoft Office 4.2 installs MS Spelling 2 and English Dictionary into the
Microsoft folder but does not install MS Spelling and US English
Dictionary. PowerPoint can use MS Spelling 2 and English Dictionary, as
long as the Microsoft PowerPoint Settings (4) file has not been removed
from the system. Once that file has been removed or damaged, PowerPoint
cannot use MS Spelling 2 and the English Dictionary. MS Spelling 2 looks
for a dictionary with a file type of HMSD, which is what the English
Dictionary is. It can "see" the US English Dictionary, but it cannot read
it.
 
Additional query words: 4.00 power point powerpt mac ppt spellcheck
macppt spell errmsg preferences settings 3.00
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Keywords          : kbproof kberrmsg kbinterop
Version           : 4.00
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Issue type        : kberrmsg
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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1998.