Shared Library Error

Hi, I am having a similar problem with PowerPoint. My other Office programs work fine. Just PowerPoint. This is what I get

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Application Launch Failure

The application "PowerPoint" could not be launched because of a shared library error: "4<Microsoft PowerPoint><OpenGLLibrary><CFMPriv_AGL>"
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The shared library problem seems applicable to a lot of programs and games.

Shared libraries are used to conserve code and to provide uniformity within the operating system. They also make the programmers job easier when properly used. The idea is for many applications to use a box of code to do a function instead of having to reinvent the wheel for each program.

Did PowerPoint ever work?
If so, did it stop after an update?
Have you looked into MS updates for your suite of programs?

Most programs just make a call to a shared library (or many of them) to do it's thing. Some programs will also try to modify them which could be a source of trouble. Sometimes a software update, an installation, or simple disk corruption will render a library unusable for some or all programs.

The usual solution is to reinstall the program in the hopes that it repairs the library or maybe just a link to the library. If there is an uninstaller for your suite of MS products it would help to use it befor reinstalling.
Sometimes a combo updater (for X) will fix a library. You could also try logging in as another user but that would be a stretch for your problem. I don't think it is a user preference issue.

When all else fails you are stuck with an archive and install or in extreme cases an erase and install. None of this if fun but shared library errors are not easy to fix or track down. The time spent trying to figure it out can be substantial unless you are into coding.

Hi Carl,

Thanks for the infor on shared libraries. Sounds similar to a subroutine used by many modules.

Yes, my Powerpoint worked until recently. I have done several upgrades over the last several months whenever I see, "Auto Update" or something similar. My assumption is that the update corrects problems I hadn't run into or experienced.

I can't say exactly when it quit working. I just know that a few months ago, I was unable to use PowerPoint.

I have QuickTime 7.1.3, updated 9/1/06.
I have Excel 11.2.5, updated 6/20/06
I have Word 11.2.3, updated 2/12/06
and
PowerPoint 11.2.4, updated 5/10/06

The only thing I ever noticed about Powerpoint was it constantly notifying me that I didn't have certain Chinese (or japanese, or Russian, or some other bizarre language font I would never be interested in using) Fonts installed.

Is it possible that is the problem?

Fonts (corrupted, wrong ones, wrong place, lack of them) can cause a host of problems. Programs from Adobe and MS will usually add a folder of fonts(part of their Application Support) so that they can run properly and not diddle with X's system or library fonts but I'm not sure about your case.

An update to X or to your application suite could be the cause of problems. Updates can fix problems in one area and cause problems in another when they go badly. If there was corruption to a part of your hard drive when you do an update or permissions have not been repaired then an update can cause the type of problem that you are having.

Things to try:

Repair permissions and run a combo updater for X, repair permissions again.
Repair permissions and run them for your programs, repair permissions again.
Backup and do an archive and install on your system.

If the archive and install has problems then it is indicative of other issues with your system (which could be the root cause of your problem) and you may be better off doing an erase and install. This is why the backup is critical. If you can't back up then don't try the archive. Then again, if you can't back up then you are playing Russian Roulette.

You should also try to reinstall the program with its updates.
If it does install application support this may fix the problem but I'm beginning to suspect some deeper system issues.
(I would have edited the above message but the forum would not let me edit my post.)

Hi Carl!

After posting in AD, you only have about 15 minutes in which to edit.

ali b

Thanks Ali,

I've had to beg off of the forums lately. Too much real work which pays the bills. Reality bites!

If I get a hit from an old post then I'll take a look and maybe answer but no time to play Apple Doctor.

You guys are great in keeping up the tradition.