ks_artist2
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Q: Problems opening PowerPoint files after 10.7.3 server update

We have client with a Mac mini running Lion Server.  It has a SMB share that Windows users connect it, and after updating the server from 10.7.2 to 10.7.3 these Windows users can no longer open PowerPoint files directly off the server.

 

After updating, when Windows users double-click on PowerPoint files directly from the Lion Server, they either get the error "PowerPoint was unable to open or save this document.  Please ensure that you have access privileges to read or write the document and that it is not encrypted" (Windows XP w/Office 2003) or "The path or file name [...] is invalid.  Please check that the path and file name are correct" (Windows 7 w/Office 2010).

 

These Windows users are however able to open Word and Excel files from the same SMB share without any problems.  The Windows users can also save PowerPoint files to the SMB share, they just can't open them.

 

Copying the PowerPoint file down locally to the Windows computer allows the file to open properly, and it can be copied back to the server successfully.

 

Macs are able to open opening these PowerPoint files directly from the SMB share.

 

We've tried creating a new SMB share on the server, and it has the same issues.  The Windows users connecting to the Lion Server are in an ACL with Full Control permissions on the SMB share.  We've also reproducted the problem logging into the SMB share using administrator permissions, and we've opened up the SMB share with wide open permissions (including guest).

 

Bottom line, this worked prior to updating to 10.7.3, and it only affect Windows users opening PowerPoint files from an SMB share.

 

Has anyone seen anything similar?

Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Feb 27, 2012 11:43 AM

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ks_artist2

Q: Problems opening PowerPoint files after 10.7.3 server update

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  • by morxxer,

    morxxer morxxer May 28, 2013 2:04 PM in response to morxxer
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    May 28, 2013 2:04 PM in response to morxxer

    apple answer

     

     

    "Engineering has determined that this issue behaves as intended based on the following information:

     

    when PowerPoint is opening an older file (.ppt), it issues an SMB request to update the "Last Write Time" timestamp of the file.  But the SMB server only allows the file owner to update the "Last Write Time" timestamp of a file.

     

    This means only the file owner can open an older .ppt file with PowerPoint while  other group members will get Access Denied.

     

    When PowerPoint opens newer files (.pptx), it creates a temporary file and makes changes such as "Last Write Time" timestamp to the temporary file (which is owned by the current user), then it renames the file to the original name.  This is why you don't see the issue with new format files an PowerPoint.

     

    The ACLs that you configured are still important because they allow other group users to access your newer files (.pptx).  But unfortunately ACLs cannot allow other group users to update timestamps (such as "Last Write Time").

     

    Sorry for the inconvenience with older PowerPoint files, but I believe the server is behaving correctly.

     

    If you have questions regarding the resolution of this issue, please update your bug report with them.

     

    We are now closing this bug report."

     

    -.-

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