Err Msg: Unable to Start DDE Communications with Program Manager

• Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you install Microsoft PowerPoint version 4.0 or Microsoft Publisher version 2.0 while running Norton Desktop for Windows version 2.0 as the shell, you receive the following error message:

   Unable to Start DDE communications with Program Manager

   Abort, Retry, Ignore

NOTE: Microsoft does not support using any shell other than Windows Explorer as the primary Windows 95 shell. If you want to use a third-party shell with Windows 95, Microsoft recommends adding it to the Startup folder.

CAUSE

Norton Desktop for Windows version 2.0 does not handle shell dynamic data exchange (DDE). When this fails, Microsoft PowerPoint 4.0 and Microsoft Publisher 2.0 attempt to perform the DDE operation through Program Manager (PROGMAN.EXE). For compatibility reasons, PROGMAN.EXE does not perform DDE unless it is the active shell in Windows 95.

RESOLUTION

To avoid this error, use EXPLORER.EXE as the shell for Windows 95 and load Norton Desktop for Windows as an application. Then install Microsoft PowerPoint version 4.0 or Microsoft Publisher 2.0.

To deactivate Norton Desktop as the shell, replace "shell=ndw.exe" with "shell=explorer.exe" in the [boot] section of the SYSTEM.INI file using the following steps:

1. Click the Start button, and then click Run.

2. Type "system.ini"(without the quotation marks) in the Open box and click OK.

3. Replace "shell=ndw.exe" with "shell=explorer.exe" in the [boot] section.

4. Save and close the file.

MORE INFORMATION

Norton Desktop for Windows version 2.0 is manufactured by Symantec, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.