Powerpoint 2011 freezing in 'presenter mode'

Question

Powerpoint 2011 freezing in 'presenter mode'

Since the recent updates to MS powerpoint and OS/X there's a new problem - a big problem if you do a lot of presentations! After a few slides powerpoint freezes - you can't use the arrow keys or the space bar or return. You're stuck on the current slide.

This seems to be a common problem.

The only 'solution' is to leave presenter view and show the slides from the standard powerpoint view - then there is no freezing. It only happens with full screen view. If you turn off the ribbon and all other menus it isn't too terrible, but it certainly isn't good.

I'm pleased to hear about the mouse solution though - tomorrow I'll take a mouse to my presentation and see if I can use that as a work-around.

I've reported it through the powerpoint 'feedback' option.

This is on OS/X 10.8.3..

Incidentally, though, 10.8.3 seems to have fixed some video problems. Google mail used to have screen break-up all the time, and that's stopped. So there have been some improvements.

I'm not sure if they've solved the problem on my iMac where the whole system freezes a few times a day. When I have some time I'll check - 10.8.3 has clearly tried to fix some of these video problems though, which is something..

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.1), 15" 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo 4GB 1TB 2009

Posted on Mar 19, 2013 12:28 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 19, 2013 1:29 PM in response to Fustbariclation

Suggest you try your luck on the Microsoft mac forums since it's their software youre having issues with:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/mac

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Answer 2

BobH47

Level 1

15 points

Mar 26, 2013 7:07 AM in response to Fustbariclation

It has happened to me too, right in the middle of a presentation. Very embarrasing.

I have spent ages over the last few days pressing buttons. I run PP2011 on my Mac Mini and also MacBook Air. Presentations written on the Mini and transferred to the Air via SkyDrive.

Both are up to date on OS X 10.8.3 and Office 14.3.2

Work-around is to press the power button then chose cancel. The Mac will spring back into life!

I have reported it to Microsoft and have a booked call-back tomorrow evening UK time.

I still have my old Windows laptop so will use that in the short term.......

Grrrrrrrr

Bob

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Answer 3

Mar 26, 2013 8:32 AM in response to BobH47

I look forward to hearing what Microsoft suggest as a fix!

I've been using keynote as a workaround.

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Answer 4

BobH47

Level 1

15 points

Mar 26, 2013 8:38 AM in response to Fustbariclation

I considered it and bought it but it really doesn't like my PowerPoint presentations. In one I have several charts and it couldn't pick up the data. Too much hard work to redo it all.

Reluctantly it is back to my Windows 'brick' (almost 4Kg comapred to just over 1Kg). 😟

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Answer 5

BobH47

Level 1

15 points

Mar 27, 2013 1:33 PM in response to Fustbariclation

Just came off the phone to a nice IBM man in Bangalore.

He remotely accessed both my machines and uninstalled Office, then reinstalled to v14.2 (120402) using my installation DVD.

He will call me in 24 hours to see if the problem has recurred.

I think you will have to log a call to the Mac section of the Office team. The UK phone number is 0844 800 2400. I forgot to ask how SP3 will be installed in the future.

Good luck.

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Answer 6

Apr 30, 2013 1:46 PM in response to Fustbariclation

I confirm this problem. With two screens, PowerPoint 2011, in presenter mode, after a random interval PPT becomes unresponsible to advance/go back from remote. Keyboard gives no response. Clicking trackpad no response. Only work-around is to exit presentation and restart it. Haven't tried the power button.

Mac OS 10.7.5 and PowerPoint 14.3.2.

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Answer 7

BobH47

Level 1

15 points

Apr 30, 2013 4:31 PM in response to Sally Shears

Sally,

I think you will have to ask Microsoft to uninstall the update to Office. See my post Mar 27 in which I accidentally said IBM instead of Microsoft. Since doing that I have delivered several presentations without any trouble at all.

Apparently the Mac is set not to accept updates from Microsoft and we will be advised by e-mail when a fix is issued.

As a short term workaround, and assuming you are usiung a MacBook Air, you can touch the power button. This produces a shutdown screen. Just press cancel and PowerPoint will work! It disrupts the presentation but is instant and at least you can carry on but it doesn't look very professional!

Good luck!

Bob

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Answer 8

Apr 30, 2013 10:03 PM in response to BobH47

What update to PowerPoint is that? Or, perhaps more usefully, what version of powerpoint actually works?

Unfortunately, my problem is not just with powerpoint - I have another application that I cannot run because it can't scale to anything apart from 640x480 when using the thunberbolt port.

I'll try that fix you mention - presumably it reloads the display driver.

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Answer 9

BobH47

Level 1

15 points

May 1, 2013 12:31 AM in response to Fustbariclation

My PowerPoint is part of Office for Mac 2011.

All three apps: Word, Excel and PowerPoint had been automatically upgraded to 14.3.2 (SP3) . That is the version with a bug in it.

When I spoke to Microsoft (the Mac section of the Office team) on UK phone number is 0844 800 2400 the agent took control of my compouter, completely deleted Office and reinstalled it using my installation DVD to 14.2.0 (SP2).

That works fine. Unfortunately I'm really not very technical so I have no idea what was causing the problem., therefore I cannot comment on whether it reloads the display driver. I did notice that whilst uninstalling he was quite fastidious in seeking out individual files to delete in various nooks and crannies of the Mac! All I can tell you is that it works now.

The Agent said that Office is set not to do automatic updates and that they are collecting e-mail addresses to advise people who have logged calls that SP3 is available again. I have not yet had that e-mail.

I hope this helps you.

Regards,

Bob

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