PowerPoint, password protection & iMac

[avaaid]

I use PowerPoint for work, and I sometimes receive password-protected files that my iMac (OS X, 10.5.8, PowerPoint for mac: 2008) cannot open.

If I want to open and work on such files, do I have any options besides running Windows?

If I run Windows, should I use XP or Vista? I do not have any use for Windows except getting to those password-protected PowerPoint files.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[angelwatt]

I would first try OpenOffice to see if it can open the password protected files.

 

[avaaid]

Thanks for the suggestion

I downloaded Open Office, but it can't open the files.