my @lines = split(/\n/, <<'__EOI__');
Microsoft Corporation - DirectShow 
Version 6.4.05.0809 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Server Version 
4.02.0720 * Microsoft Corporation - Internet Explorer 
Version 5.00.2014.200 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Installer - Version 2.0.2 * 
Excel Viewer Version 8.0 * Connectivity Version 2.10.2309 * 
__EOI__

@lines = join('', @lines) =~ /((?:(?!\s\*\s).)*\s\*\s)/g;

print(join($/, @lines), $/);

__END__
output
======
Microsoft Corporation - DirectShow Version 6.4.05.0809 *
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Server Version 4.02.0720 *
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Explorer Version 5.00.2014.200 *
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Installer - Version 2.0.2 *
Excel Viewer Version 8.0 *
Connectivity Version 2.10.2309 *

##</code><code>##

my @lines = split(/\n/, <<'__EOI__');
Microsoft Corporation - DirectShow 
Version 6.4.05.0809 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Server Version 
4.02.0720 * Microsoft Corporation - Internet Explorer 
Version 5.00.2014.200 * 
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Installer - Version 2.0.2 * 
Excel Viewer Version 8.0 * Connectivity Version 2.10.2309 * 
__EOI__

@lines = split(/\s\*\s/, join('', @lines));

print(join($/, @lines), $/);

__END__
output
======
Microsoft Corporation - DirectShow Version 6.4.05.0809
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Server Version 4.02.0720
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Explorer Version 5.00.2014.200
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Installer - Version 2.0.2
Excel Viewer Version 8.0
Connectivity Version 2.10.2309