Windows XP Problem opening file from 2nd drive

I am running Windows XP Pro. I have two hard drives on my system. When I open a Word or Excel file from my second drive, I get the following message:
"File is being used by Wayne. Do you want to make a copy? "
I click on cancel and the program works fine. Is there a reason I am getting this message and is there a way to eliminate it?

 

Hi, Wayne ~

If your Word/Excel files are all in one folder, remove the 'read-only' attributes from the properties.

Do a search and delete all '~*.xls' , '~*.doc' & '*.tmp' files.

After you do that, you may also try a hard reboot when you are sure no important data is opened/unsaved to purge your RAM.

 

Windows XP Pro Problem

BruceKrymow
Thanks for the reply.
I removed the check from "read only" and ran a search for ll '~*.xls' , '~*.doc' & '*.tmp' files.
The search revealed no such files. I rebooted the system and the problem still exists. The files are now marked "archive. "

 

Hi, Wayne ~

You are telling me you had no temp files??

You will want to un-archive those files.

Did you follow through with the hard reboot?

 

Windows XP Pro Problem

Bruce,
Thanks again. I finally found the tmp files and deleted them. Did a hard re-boot. The problem still exists.

 

Are you opening the file by clicking on it in a "My Computer" window or are you opening it through Word or Excel?

If you're opening by clicking on the file itself, which then starts the program, Windows might be (and often is) considering the file "in use "...by that annoying little preview thingy (called "Details ") on the bottom of the left pane of Explorer.

To find out if that's the culprit, in WinExplorer, go to View>Explorer Bar and click on "Folders." If the problem persists, then all you've wasted is a few mouse clicks.

 

Hi, Wayne ~

Drat! This is how I have solved the problem in the past with specifically those two file two formats.

Perhaps it has something to do with the 2 HDs. I will see what I can locate, but am at a loss for now and hopefully someone else may jump in.

 

Windows XP Pro Problem

I was opening the file by going to Explorer and finding the file on the other drive. After the post by Miz, I tried opening the file by opening Word or Excel and finding the file on the other drive that way. Voila-- It opens without the message that it is being used. That sounds like the simple solution for me. I can always find it after the program is open.
Thanks to both of you for taking the time to help with this. That's why this board is so good. Keep up the good work.
Again THANKS!!!

 

Happy to hear ya got it!

@Miz ~ Great call!

 

Wow! I got one right!

Glad to help...and don't forget the answer if you ever try to move, delete or otherwise manipulate a huge video/sound/grapic file using the My Computer view. XP will apparently spend years trying to generate that preview.