Incorrect Error Message with Notepad and File Manager

 Last reviewed: May 9, 1997
Article ID: Q105056

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

If you choose Run from the File menu of File Manager to open Notepad and you specify a file on the command line which is already in use by Windows NT or another application, you will receive the following incorrect error message: 

   Cannot open the <filename> file.
   Make sure a disk is in the drive you specified.
Notepad loads, but does not open the specified file.

Because the file is in use by another process, the above error message is misleading. The correct error message is the following: 

   <filename>
   This file is already in use.
   Select a new name or close the file in use by another application.
If you choose Open from the File menu of Notepad to open a file that is in use, you receive the correct error message.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.1 and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Problem

  1. Open File Manager from the Main group.

  2. Open the %SYSTEMROOT%\SYSTEM32\CONFIG directory.

  3. Select the SECURITY.LOG file.

  4. In the File Manager window, choose Run from the File menu.

  5. On the command line, type the following, and then choose the OK button: 

          notepad security.log

The above incorrect error message appears.

Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords : kbbug3.10 kbtool ntutil
Version : 3.1
Platform : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: May 9, 1997
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