OFF2000: Error Message: "Cannot Locate the Internet Server or Proxy Server" When Clicking Hyperlink

ID: Q218153

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Office 2000
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you create a hyperlink in an Office document and then click the link, you may receive the following error message

Unable to open <URL>. Cannot locate the Internet server or proxy server
where <URL> is the hyperlink that you inserted.

NOTE: The hyperlink does work if you type it directly in the browser or in the Open box of the Run dialog box (click Start, and then click Run).


CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:

  • You are using Microsoft Internet Explorer:


    • A proxy server


      • -or-

    • A firewall that does not allow HTTP requests to be placed on your local network



    -and-

  • Internet Explorer is not your default browser.


    • -and-

  • The following registry key is not present or is not set to 1:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Common\Internet


WORKAROUND

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

To work around this issue, either add the Internet subkey, if it is not present, and set the Value data, or if it is present, set the Value data of the Internet subkey.

Adding the Internet Subkey to the Registry and Setting the Value Data

  1. Quit any programs that are running.


  2. Click Start, and then click Run. Type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.


  3. In Registry Editor, browse to the following subkey:


    4. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Common
  4. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.


  5. Name the new subkey Internet.


  6. Make sure the Internet subkey is selected. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value. Add the following registry value:


    7. Value Name: ForceShellExecute
  7. Double-click ForceShellExecute, and then set the Value data to 1. Click OK.


  8. On the Registry menu, click Exit.



Setting the Value Data

  1. Quit any programs that are running.


  2. Click Start, and then click Run. Type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.


  3. In Registry Editor, browse to the following subkey:


    4. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Common\Internet
  4. Make sure the Internet subkey is selected. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value. Add the following registry value:


    5. Value Name: ForceShellExecute
  5. Double-click ForceShellExecute, and then set the Value data to 1. Click OK.


  6. On the Registry menu, click Exit.


Additional query words: OFF2000 hyperlink proxy ie error

Keywords : kberrmsg kbdta
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: September 27, 1999
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