PPT2002: GET Request for PowerPoint Slide Loses Some Session Properties (311928)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
This article was previously published under Q311928

SYMPTOMS

When you connect to a Web server that dynamically generates a Microsoft PowerPoint 2002 slide show, Microsoft Internet Explorer may send two GET requests for the resource. The second GET typically does not have session state information, temporary cookies, or authentication information that may have already been specified for the client.

This problem occurs most frequently with Internet Server Application Programming Interface (ISAPI), Active Server Pages (ASP), or Common Gateway Interface (CGI) programs that adjust the HTTP "Content Type" header to identify the installed program.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when you use Microsoft PowerPoint 2002 and Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 or later. PowerPoint 2002 slides lose information that pertains to Internet Explorer version 5.0 or later.

When this occurs, Internet Explorer can activate the Active Document server, but when the server tries to bind to and read the data for the document, Internet Explorer re-downloads the document from the context of the server.

When the server is an out-of-process local server, the second download is treated as a new session with the Web server. This behavior is by design and is comparable to connecting with the server from two browser instances.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Microsoft Office XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel. 
   Date         Time   Version   Size       File name     
   -----------------------------------------------------------
   19-DEC-2001  10:46            2,915,352  Powerpnt.msp
   19-DEC-2001  11:03            5,469,184  Powerpnt_Admin.msp
After the hotfix is installed, the English version of this fix will have the file attributes (or later): 
   Date         Time   Version      Size       File name     
   --------------------------------------------------------
   11-DEC-2001  22:13  10.0.3604.0  5,974,344  Powerpnt.exe

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, add the following information to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) header: 
Response.AddHeader "Content-disposition", "attachment;filename=XXX.pps"

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/7/2005
Keywords:kbbug kbfix kbOfficeXPPreSP2fix kbQFE KB311928
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