CG3: Clip Gallery Takes a Long Time to Start

• Microsoft Clip Gallery for Windows, version 3.0
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Office 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

In the programs listed at the beginning of this article, the first time you start the Clip Gallery, it may take a long time to appear.

CAUSE

This behavior may occur when you set up Microsoft Office 97 from an installation point on a network server.

RESOLUTION

This behavior occurs only when you start the Clip Gallery the first time. When you subsequently start the Clip Gallery, its performance is faster.

STATUS

This behavior is by design of the Clip Gallery in Microsoft Office 97.

MORE INFORMATION

When you set up Microsoft Office 97 on your computer, the Setup program does not copy all of the media files (clip art, sound, video file, and so on) onto your computer. Instead, the Clip Gallery references the files in their original locations. For example, if you install Microsoft Office 97 from a compact disc, the Clip Gallery searches for media files on the compact disc.

If you set up Microsoft Office 97 from a network server, the Clip Gallery searches for media files on that network server. If the server is busy or slow, or if the current volume of network traffic is high, the Clip Gallery may take a long time to appear the first time you start it.

For example, after you run the Setup program from a 90-MHz Pentium network server and set up Microsoft Office 97 onto a 66-MHz 486 computer, it may take approximately 20 seconds to start the Clip Gallery. However, when you start the Clip Gallery a second time, it may take only two seconds. (Note that these times may vary, depending on your computer and the network server speed, the current volume of network traffic, and so on.)

To start the Clip Gallery in any of the programs listed at the beginning of this article, point to Picture on the Insert menu, and then click Clip Art.