OL2000: Error Message "Can't open file" When You Export or Forward a vCard

ID: Q247326

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to export or forward a vCard, you may receive the following error message:

Can't open file: <path>. The file may not exist, you may not have permission to open it, or it may be open in another program. Right-click the folder that contains the file, and then click Properties to check your permissions for the folder.


CAUSE

The Windows component used for exporting and forwarding vCards was adversely affected when you upgraded to Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01.


WORKAROUND

Using the following steps to remove Outlook Express, remove the Windows Address Book files, and then reinstall the version of Outlook Express that comes with Internet Explorer 5.0 has proved successful for some customers:

Remove Outlook Express

  1. Exit all programs. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


  2. Double-click to start Add/Remove Programs.


  3. Click to select Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 and Internet Tools, and then click Add/Remove.


  4. Click Advanced and then click to check Outlook Express.


  5. Click OK and OK, and then close Control Panel.


Remove the Windows Address Book Files

  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.


  2. In the Named box, type wab*.*. Confirm that the Look in list shows all local hard drives and that Include subfolders is checked.


  3. Click Find Now.


  4. Rename the extensions of each wab file found. For example, rename wab32.dll to wab32.old.


Reinstall Outlook Express

Run Ie5setup.exe from the \IE\EN folder on the Office 2000 CD and select the Custom Installation option to select Outlook Express.

With Windows98 SE, you must reinstall IE5 from the Windows Setup Tab in Add/Remove Programs. Trying to re-install from the CD will tell you that a newer version is already installed and that setup won't continue.

NOTE: If you don't have access to the Windows Address Book after reinstalling IE 5.0, select Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 and Internet Tools in Add/Remove Programs of Control Panel, click Add/Remove, select the option to Add New Component and reinstall Outlook Express.


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.


MORE INFORMATION

The vCard code is in the Windows Address Book. Installing Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 updates Wab32.dll which does not support exporting and forwarding vCards.

Additional query words: OL2K

Keywords :
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbbug


Last Reviewed: January 14, 2000
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