'F:\Program.xls’ could not be found

[InTheNorth]

When an .xls file is double clicked, Excel opens with the following error message:

'F:\Program.xls’ could not be found. Check the spelling of the file name, and verify that the file location is correct.
If you are trying to open the file from your list of most recently used files on the File menu, make sure that the file has not been renamed, moved, or deleted.

When the dialog box is clicked, another error message is displayed with the same words, but with the file name 'microsoft.xls'.

I have tried un-registering and re-registering Excel, and uninstalling and re-installing all of Office 2003.

KB 177248 refers to this problem and suggests:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Open the following registry key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\Open\command
4. In the right pane, click (Default).
5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
6. Remove the %1 from the end of the Value data string so that the data string reads as follows:
"C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE\EXCEL.EXE" /e (including the quotation marks)
7. Click OK, and then close Registry Editor.

Neither does this work.

Any suggestions would be most welcome as I am out of ideas.

Mel Orecklin, P.Eng., MBA, CAFM

 

[PaddyD]

hi - welcome to the board

tools | options | general - anything odd in the 'at start up, open all files in...' box?

 

[InTheNorth]

Nothing off in Tools ! Options ! General

 

[Scott Huish]

Because it was complaining of an .xls file that could not be found, are you sure that you are actually clicking on a file or are you clicking on a shortcut to the file, and if it is a shortcut to the file is the file the shortcut points to still there?

 

[InTheNorth]

I double click on a file in Windows Explorer or Total Commander. I have always opened files with this method, so something has changed.

In trying to find a solution, I've invested several hours with Google and have had no luck.

Mel

PS. What is an Excel-head in Oregon doing answering forum questions at this hour in the morning?

Thank you.

 

[Scott Huish]

But based on your description, it didn't say it couldn't find the program to open the .xls file, it said it couldn't find the .xls file. Does this happen with every Excel file or just this one? If you are clicking on a shortcut to an Excel file and the actual Excel file does not exist, you will get a message saying that it is searching for the .xls file.

 

[InTheNorth]

I am clicking on an excel file name, not a shortcut to a file.

 

[Scott Huish]

In Windows Explorer:

Right click on the file name, then click on Properties

What does it say for type of file and what program opens it?

 

[InTheNorth]

Type of file: Microsoft Excel Worksheet
File opens with: "Microsoft Office Excel"

 

[PaddyD]

odd. presume you can still work with your files once you've clicked through the error messages etc?