"Colon Terminus" <> wrote in message
news:49a438c7$0$25580$. ..
: "Martin" <> wrote in message
: news:5IAol.104711$...
: > "Colon Terminus" <> wrote in message
: > news:49a2b10f$0$25582$. ..
: > : "Martin" <> wrote in message
: > : news:aGfol.102056$...
: > : > Hello,
: > : >
: > : > I've encountered a problem with my Word docs, the solution to which
: > has
: > : > escaped me to date.
: > : >
: > : > HISTORY:
: > : >
: > : > I created Word docs and was able to open and close them without
: > problem.
: > : >
: > : > I made changes to their wording and was able to save those changes
: > without
: > : > problem.
: > : >
: > : > Due to my having 8 docs in which the wording in any one is similar
to,
: > but
: > : > not the same as, that in the other 7, I named each doc, including
: > : > Properties, with a fairly lengthy description to indicate the
: > difference.
: > : >
: > : > After doing so, I attempted to open one of the docs. I was unable to
: > do
: > : > so,
: > : > and there was a message that the name (or title) exceeded 255 (or
225)
: > : > characters.
: > : >
: > : > When I right-clicked the doc to provide a shortened name, I was
unable
: > to
: > : > do. Right-clicking on any of the 8 docs now provides a menu of only
5
: > : > commands: Open/New/Print/Open With/Send To ->
: > : >
: > : > (When I right-click on any of my other docs, the menu has 16
: > commands.)
: > : >
: > : > None of the commands can be activated, whether clicked on the menu
or
: > : > through the toolbar's File or Edit.
: > : >
: > : > The docs are not subject to any commands, including deletion.
: > : >
: > : > If it's relevant, my OS is XP Pro SP2, and I'm using Word 2002 SP3.
: > : >
: > : > I unsuccessfully attempted System Restore, and I've re-booted a
number
: > of
: > : > times.
: > : >
: > : > To say the least, any and all constructive suggestions to remedy the
: > : > problem
: > : > will be greatly appreciated.
: > : >
: > : > Martin
: > :
: > :
: > :
: > : Hello Martin,
: > :
: > : Your solution lies in the DOS subst command.
: > : The pathname is too long, ergo you substistute a virtual drive letter
: > for
: > a
: > : part of the pathname.
: > :
: > : Let's say that the path to your problem document(s) is:
: > : C:\Documents and Settings\Martin\My Documents\7 almost identical
: > : documents\very long name.doc
: > :
: > : Open a Command Prompt and enter the Command:
: > : Subst Z: "C:\Documents and Settings\Martin\My Documents\7 almost
: > identical
: > : documents"
: > :
: > : The quotes in the above command are necessary in this case.
: > :
: > : Now open Word from the Programs menu.
: > : Click File
: > : Click Open
: > : In the "Look In" drop down list box choose Z:
: > : Locate "very long name" and select it,
: > :
: > : Voila!
: > :
: > : Open each document and immediately do a "Save As" using a much shorter
: > name.
: > : Verify that each of the shorter named documents can be opened in a
: > "Normal"
: > : manner.
: > :
: > : Once you've opened each document and saved it with a much shorter name
: > then
: > : you'll want to delete the documents with the excessively long name.
: > :
: > : Using the Word File | Open dialog box locate each offending document,
: > : Right-click it and choose "Delete" from the drop-down list.
: > :
: > : Now remove the Substituted Virtual Drive Z
: > :
: > : Open a Command Prompt and enter the command:
: > : Subst Z: /D
: > :
: >
: > Hello,
: >
: > I attempted to follow all of your instructions, but ultimately ran out
of
: > space in the DOS command box as evidenced by a beeping sound after a
: > certain
: > point.
: >
: > I then hit Enter without the command line ending with .doc
: >
: > Four of the documents in question were consequently renamed as follows:
: > FAXCOV~3
: > FAXCOV~2
: > FA3740~1
: > FA3F1 (<- I manually shortened the name before I took note of what its
: > "new"
: > name was.)
: >
: > I then shortened the name of the folder which held the problematic docs
: > (not
: > My Folder) so that I would be able to enter more characters on the
command
: > line before the beeping were to re-occur.
: >
: > Once again, I ran out of space; however, I ensured that the last four
: > characters were .doc
: >
: > I then hit Enter and did not receive an error message. I then entered
: > OPEN.
: >
: > Upon checking, the 8 docs were and still are subject to all 16 menu
: > commands.
: >
: > Can you explain why the command lines worked, even though I was unable
in
: > both instances to enter the entire pathname?
: >
: > Many thanks!
: >
: > Martin
: >
: >
:
:
:
: No Martin, can't explain it.
:
: I'm pleased however that you managed to get it sorted out.
:
: Good luck in the future.
:
:
:
That makes two of us.
Without your instructions, I surely would have been unsuccessful in
re-opening my docs.
Thank you very much!
Martin