can recent powerpoint files be viewed on a win98 based laptop which has office 2000 installed on it. Some old files work okay but recently my colleague says that he cant view them. I have no problem with these files as I am using Winxp with office XP installed. Any help would be appreciated.

Tell him to try this download from Microsoft.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/CD010225551033.aspx