Style Sheets, Glossaries, Documents Locked on Network

ID: Q71347


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word for MS-DOS, version 5.5


SUMMARY

Microsoft Word version 5.50 may display the message "This file is in use by another user or application" when you attempt to start Word from a network workstation. The filename that follows this message is usually a style sheet (.STY), glossary (.GLY) or document (.DOC) file.

This message could be caused by any one of the following:

  1. The network workstation does not contain a SET MSWNET55= variable in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, or the network workstation users' login script.
    Solution: Verify that the SET MSWNET55= variable is active by entering the SET command from the operating system prompt of the network workstation.
    If the MSWNET55= variable is not present, or it is not unique among the network workstations, do one of the following:

    • Change to the Word program directory on the Network file server and run Setup User. When Setup prompts for the drive and directory in which to setup Word, enter a unique drive and directory path that is not being used by another user on the network. When Setup prompts you to update system files, choose Yes. Reboot the network workstation to ensure that the changes to the system files take effect.


    • -or-

    • Manually edit the network workstation's AUTOEXEC.BAT file or the user's workstation login script. Add the network drive where the Word program files reside to the PATH statement, and add the line SET MSWNET55=[user drive/directory path]. Reboot the workstation to ensure that your changes take effect.




  2. A style sheet, glossary, or document file resides on the network file server that has the read/write attribute set, and has been opened by another user on the network. Any files placed on the file server that will accessed by multiple users should have the read-only attribute set.
    Solution: To make a style sheet, glossary, or document read-only, use the RDONLY utility provided with Word 5.50 or the DOS Attrib command.


  3. A network workstation attempted to start Word 5.50 from the Network file server, and a Word initialization file (MW.INI) exists on the file server in the Word program directory.
    Solution: Delete the MW.INI file from the Word program directory.

    Make the Word program directory read-only, with executable and shareable rights for the Word program files. This will prevent workstations from accidentally creating an MW.INI file in the Word program directory in the future.

    Make sure that no user on the network contains a MSWNET55= variable that points to the Word program directory. Workstations without a MSWNET55 variable or workstations with a MSWNET55 variable pointing to the program directory should follow the steps outlined above in step 2a or 2b.



MORE INFORMATION

The Word program directory should never contain an MW.INI or SCREEN.VID file. These files should reside in the user or start-up directory specified by the SET MSWNET55= variable.

The default style sheet and glossary files used by Word 5.50, NORMAL.STY and NORMAL.GLY, should not reside in the Word program directory unless they are read-only. These files should normally reside in the user or start-up directory specified by the SET MSWNET55= variable.

You should not attempt to start Word 5.50 from a network workstation with the Word program directory as the current directory.


REFERENCES

"Getting Started." Version 5.50, Pages 39-54.

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Keywords : kberrmsg kbnetwork
Version : MS-DOS:5.5
Platform : MS-DOS
Issue type :


Last Reviewed: December 20, 1999
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