ACC97: "<path> Is an Invalid Path" Error Message Caused by Truncated Folder Path (232393)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 97
This article was previously published under Q232393
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry



Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

SYMPTOMS

When you double-click a database file on a Novell NetWare-, a Microsoft Windows NT-, or Microsoft Windows 2000-based server, you may receive the following error message
<path> is an invalid path.
and the path name that is mentioned in the message seems to be truncated.

-or-

If you double-click a shortcut to the file, Msaccess.exe opens, and then you receive the following error message:
\\<path>\<filename>.mdb isn't a valid path. Make sure the pathname is spelled correctly and that you are connected to the server on which the file resides.

CAUSE

Quotation marks are missing from the application path that is used to start Microsoft Access. In the registry, the following key has an incorrect value:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Access.Application.8\shell\open\command

The value contains one of the following paths to Microsoft Access and some switches:

"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\Office\\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP \"\%1\""

-or-

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP "%1""

The problem occurs because the quotation marks are not placed properly around the application path to separate the path from the switches. This entry is created by the Msaccess.srg file, which is in the Msapps\Office\ folder.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Resolution 1

On the client computer:
  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
  3. Click (Default) for the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Access.Application.8\shell\open\command

  4. On the Edit menu, click Modify, and then in the Value data box, type one of the following values:

    "\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\Office\\MSACCESS.EXE\" /NOSTARTUP \"%1\""

    -or-

    "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\MSACCESS.EXE" /NOSTARTUP "%1"

    This puts quotation marks around the application path and around the characters %1.

    NOTE: The path to Msaccess.exe may be different on your system.

  5. Click OK.
  6. On the Registry menu, click Exit.

Resolution 2

Rebuild the file-type association for the .mdb file name extension. To do this, follow these steps:

NOTE: Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.
  1. Double-click My Computer, and then click Folder Options on the View menu.
  2. Click the File Types tab.
  3. In the Registered file types list, click Microsoft Access Database.
  4. Click Remove, and then click Yes.
  5. Restart the computer.
  6. After you restart the computer, double-click My Computer.
  7. On the View menu, click Folder Options.
  8. Click the File Types tab.
  9. Click New Type.

    Note that the Add New File Type dialog box opens.
  10. In the Description of type box, type Microsoft Access Database.
  11. Click New.

    Note that the New Action dialog box opens.
  12. In the Action box, type open.
  13. Place the pointer in the Application used to perform action box, and then click Browse.
  14. Move to the Msaccess.exe file.

    Although you may have chosen to install the file elsewhere, the default path to the Msaccess.exe file is as follows:

    C:\Program Files\MS Office\Office\Msaccess.exe

  15. Click Open, and then click OK to return to the Add File Type dialog box.
  16. Under Actions, click Open.
  17. Click OK four times to close all dialog boxes.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/5/2003
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB232393
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.