Opening Word files from Start menu, shortcuts or attachments

[GerryB]

When I click Start->Document->{filename}.doc, on a desktop shortcut or
attachment in an email, Word 2000 opens but the file does not load. The
following error message appears, despite the fact that I can show, using
Windows Explorer, that the file is in the location indicated.

"Windows cannot find '{filepath/filename}.doc'. Make sure you typed the name
correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button,
and then click Search."

Once Word is running I can click the link again and the document opens.

Can anyone suggest how I might eliminate this problem?

Regards

Gerry Bates

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

When I click Start->Document->{filename}.doc, on a desktop shortcut or
attachment in an email, Word 2000 opens but the file does not load. The
following error message appears, despite the fact that I can show, using
Windows Explorer, that the file is in the location indicated.

"Windows cannot find '{filepath/filename}.doc'. Make sure you typed the
name
correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start
button,
and then click Search."

Once Word is running I can click the link again and the document opens.

Can anyone suggest how I might eliminate this problem?

Regards

Gerry Bates

Try this:
1. Create a new document.
2. Save it as "C:\Gerry.doc".
3. Shut down Word.
4. Open Gerry.doc with Windows Explorer in the way you described above.

Can you open it?

 

[GerryB]

Hi.

Yes, I can.

Regards

Gerry

Try this:
1. Create a new document.
2. Save it as "C:\Gerry.doc".
3. Shut down Word.
4. Open Gerry.doc with Windows Explorer in the way you described above.

Can you open it?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

When I click Start->Document->{filename}.doc, on a desktop shortcut or
attachment in an email, Word 2000 opens but the file does not load. The
following error message appears, despite the fact that I can show, using
Windows Explorer, that the file is in the location indicated.

"Windows cannot find '{filepath/filename}.doc'. Make sure you typed the
name
correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start
button,
and then click Search."

Once Word is running I can click the link again and the document opens.

Can anyone suggest how I might eliminate this problem?

Regards

Gerry Bates

Have a look here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;940791

If the above link does not work, try this:
- Open Windows Explorer
- Click Tools / Folder Options / File Types
- Single click the ".doc" item
- Click Advanced / Open / Edit
The contents of the "DDE Message" field should be
[REM _DDE_Direct][FileOpen("%1")]
If it is not, make a note of what it was, then change it.

If this does not solve your problem, run some further tests:
1. Create a new Word document.
2. Save it as "C:\Gerry B.doc" (note the space before "B"!)
3. Shut down Word.
4. Send this document to yourself and try to open it as an attachment.
5. Create a new Excel document.
6. Save it as "C:\Gerry B.xls" (note the space before "B"!)
7. Shut down Excel.
6. Send this document to yourself and try to open it as an attachment.
Report the results of your tests.

 

[GerryB]

Hi

Thanks for your on-going assistance.

I looked at the Microsoft Support page but the Registry Key referred to
didn't exist. This may be, of course, because the instructions were for
Vista/Word 2007 whereas I am using XP/Word 2000

The "DDE Message" was exactly as you stated.

The .xls file presented no problems. The .doc file suffered the same problem
as before, both from the email attachment and Start->Documents.

I tried opening the file from the email attachment and from Start->Documents
with a Restart between them. Once Word has opened in any session - even when
closed again - the attachment will open normally.

Regards

Gerry

When I click Start->Document->{filename}.doc, on a desktop shortcut or
attachment in an email, Word 2000 opens but the file does not load. The
following error message appears, despite the fact that I can show, using
Windows Explorer, that the file is in the location indicated.

"Windows cannot find '{filepath/filename}.doc'. Make sure you typed the
name
correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start
button,
and then click Search."

Once Word is running I can click the link again and the document opens.

Can anyone suggest how I might eliminate this problem?

Regards

Gerry Bates

Have a look here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;940791

If the above link does not work, try this:
- Open Windows Explorer
- Click Tools / Folder Options / File Types
- Single click the ".doc" item
- Click Advanced / Open / Edit
The contents of the "DDE Message" field should be
[REM _DDE_Direct][FileOpen("%1")]
If it is not, make a note of what it was, then change it.

If this does not solve your problem, run some further tests:
1. Create a new Word document.
2. Save it as "C:\Gerry B.doc" (note the space before "B"!)
3. Shut down Word.
4. Send this document to yourself and try to open it as an attachment.
5. Create a new Excel document.
6. Save it as "C:\Gerry B.xls" (note the space before "B"!)
7. Shut down Excel.
6. Send this document to yourself and try to open it as an attachment.
Report the results of your tests.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Sorry for not responding sooner but I need more time to toss this thing
about in my mind. I'll get back to you.

Hi

Thanks for your on-going assistance.

I looked at the Microsoft Support page but the Registry Key referred to
didn't exist. This may be, of course, because the instructions were for
Vista/Word 2007 whereas I am using XP/Word 2000

The "DDE Message" was exactly as you stated.

The .xls file presented no problems. The .doc file suffered the same
problem
as before, both from the email attachment and Start->Documents.

I tried opening the file from the email attachment and from
Start->Documents
with a Restart between them. Once Word has opened in any session - even
when
closed again - the attachment will open normally.

Regards

Gerry

When I click Start->Document->{filename}.doc, on a desktop shortcut or
attachment in an email, Word 2000 opens but the file does not load. The
following error message appears, despite the fact that I can show,
using
Windows Explorer, that the file is in the location indicated.

"Windows cannot find '{filepath/filename}.doc'. Make sure you typed the
name
correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start
button,
and then click Search."

Once Word is running I can click the link again and the document opens.

Can anyone suggest how I might eliminate this problem?

Regards

Gerry Bates

Have a look here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;940791

If the above link does not work, try this:
- Open Windows Explorer
- Click Tools / Folder Options / File Types
- Single click the ".doc" item
- Click Advanced / Open / Edit
The contents of the "DDE Message" field should be
[REM _DDE_Direct][FileOpen("%1")]
If it is not, make a note of what it was, then change it.

If this does not solve your problem, run some further tests:
1. Create a new Word document.
2. Save it as "C:\Gerry B.doc" (note the space before "B"!)
3. Shut down Word.
4. Send this document to yourself and try to open it as an attachment.
5. Create a new Excel document.
6. Save it as "C:\Gerry B.xls" (note the space before "B"!)
7. Shut down Excel.
6. Send this document to yourself and try to open it as an attachment.
Report the results of your tests.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hi

Thanks for your on-going assistance.

I looked at the Microsoft Support page but the Registry Key referred to
didn't exist. This may be, of course, because the instructions were for
Vista/Word 2007 whereas I am using XP/Word 2000

The "DDE Message" was exactly as you stated.

The .xls file presented no problems. The .doc file suffered the same
problem
as before, both from the email attachment and Start->Documents.

I tried opening the file from the email attachment and from
Start->Documents
with a Restart between them. Once Word has opened in any session - even
when
closed again - the attachment will open normally.

Regards

Gerry

Let me summarise your reports to date:
- You are unable to open the file "c:\Gerry B.doc".
- You can open the file "c:\Gerry.doc".
- You can open the file "c:\Gerry B.xls".
- After you have started Word and shut it down again, you can open any Word
file.

The phenomenon appears to be related to Word files with embedded spaces in
the name. I have never come across a case like this and I do not have any
remedy. It could be the result of some virus/malware infection. To reduce
its impact you could use a work-around: Create a shortcut to Word in your
Startup folder so that Word starts automatically at logon time, then shut it
down manually. According to your report this should resolve the problem for
the current session.

 

[ynotssor]

In

The phenomenon appears to be related to Word files with embedded
spaces in the name. I have never come across a case like this and I
do not have any remedy. It could be the result of some virus/malware
infection. To reduce its impact you could use a work-around: Create a
shortcut to Word in your Startup folder so that Word starts
automatically at logon time, then shut it down manually.

Far easier to just get rid of the Word "malware" and install and use
http://openoffice.org which will solve all the OP's problems.

 

[Sid Elbow]

Far easier to just get rid of the Word "malware" and install and use
http://openoffice.org which will solve all the OP's problems.

Patient: "Doctor, it hurts when I raise my arm"
Doctor: "So don't raise your arm .... next"

 

[GerryB]

Sorry about the delay in getting back. The 'Notify me of replies' doesn't
seem to be very reliable - and when a notification does arrive, the 'Read the
Response' link gives me a blank page!

That aside, I've been guilty of misleading you - it isn't to do with
embedded spaces! When I'm careful about restarting the computer between each
test, the response to "C:\Gerry.doc" is exactly the same as to "C:\Gerry
B.doc".

Anyway, I've probably taken up enough of your time so we'll leave it at that
and thanks once again for your attention to this problem.

Regards

Gerry

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Thanks for the feedback. Please post again in case you find a good solution.