WD97: Invalid Page Fault Opening File with Long Path, File Name

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

Case 1

When you attempt to open a document by double-clicking the file in Windows Explorer, you receive the following error message:

   This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
   If the problem persists, contact the program vendor.

• Winword caused an invalid page fault in module <unknown> at 0000:<address>.

  -or-

• Winword caused an invalid page fault in module Mso97.dll at 0137:<address>.

Case 2

When you attempt to open a document by double-clicking the file in the Open dialog box in Word, the file does not open and no error messages are given.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the document file name or the path and file name exceeds 223 characters.

WORKAROUND

Work around the problems in the cases above by using the appropriate method:

• Start Word and then open the document.

  -or-

• Shorten the file name.

  -or-

• Shorten the path to the document or move the document to a higher-level folder.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.