I'm running PP 2002 (XP) on a Windows XP machine.  When I try to insert a  
  
video clip (.mpg, .avi, etc.) using  Insert: Movie and Sound: Movie from File  
  
or from the new slide template, once I select the file the following happens:  
  
The Power Point window starts to blink, a green box appears to the top left  
  
of the screen (which permeates all windows) and Power Point locks up on an  
  
hourglass.  I have to use the task manager to close.  
  
I have tried to update Office as much as I can, but still have this problem  
  
when inserting clips.  Incidentally, I have no problem playing clips in other  
  
presentations supplied to me.