Microsoft KB Archive/107505

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Using File Locations and UNC Returns Error on Network Drive

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Q107505

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Word for Windows, version 6.0

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SYMPTOMS
When you try to change an entry in the File Locations dialog box to a network drive (using the universal naming convention [UNC]), you may get one of the following error messages if that network requires a password:

  Error Message                   Operating System -

The path is not valid. Windows 3.1 The directory is not valid. Windows for Workgroups 3.1 (To locate the File Locations dialog box, choose Options from the Tools menu, and select the File Locations tab.)

CAUSE
The error messages are initiated from from Windows error messaging and does not contain password information.

STATUS
We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

RESOLUTION
You must connect to the server and assign it a drive letter. In Workgroups, you need do this only once.

Windows 3.1
Use File Manager to connect to the network drive so that the server is associated with a drive letter. Use this drive letter when specifying the location of the files.

Windows for Workgroups

 * 1) From the File menu, choose Open.
 * 2) Type the UNC name of the server you want to connect to. Choose OK.
 * 3) When prompted, type the password in the password box. Choose OK.
 * 4) In the File Locations tab, choose Modify. Type the UNC name of the server. Choose OK.
 * 5) Choose Close.

Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups 3.1

 * 1) From the Tools menu, choose Options. Select the File Locations tab, and choose Modify.
 * 2) Choose Network. The Network Location dialog box used by File Manager is displayed.
 * 3) Select a drive letter and type the path name. Select the appropriate directory and choose OK.

Word shows the option and the UNC name of the server to which it is connected.

If you are using Workgroups, Word will remember the UNC name of the server.

MORE INFORMATION
If you are using Windows for Workgroups, and have ever connected to the server in question, you will not see this error message in Word. Windows for Workgroups saves passwords in a *.PWL file, whose location is specified by the [Password Lists] section of the SYSTEM.INI.

In Windows for Workgroups, if you try to access files by specifying a UNC path in the File Open dialog box and the server you are accessing requires you to supply a password, Word will ask you for the password. Word won't ask you for the password in the future. It will assign a drive letter to the server when you first choose Open from the File menu but won't assign one in the future.

Additional query words: 6.0 winword word6

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