SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Project, if you are editing a project file that is located on
a network drive, you may receive the following error message when you save
the file again to the network drive:
The path for this file is no longer valid
Additionally, if you are editing a project file that is located on a
network drive, and you use the Save As command to save the file with
another filename or to another location, you may receive the following
error message:
Microsoft Project cannot access the original project file. Any embedded
objects and macros cannot be saved with the project. Do you wish to
continue?
CAUSE
This behavior occurs if you lose your connection to the network server that
contains the project file while the file is open in Microsoft Project. This
problem occurs even if you do not make any changes to the project file
while you are disconnected from the server drive, and you don't save the
file until you are again connected to the server drive. You lose your
connection to a network server if any of the following occurs:
- You physically disconnect from the network server
- The network server machine crashes or is rebooted
- The sharing privileges on the network server are disabled
This problem occurs because when you lose your connection to a network
drive while a project file that is located on the network drive is open on
your computer, the network name is deleted from your computer, and the file
handle to the open file is no longer valid because it refers to the
original connection. Connecting again to the network file server does not
correct this problem because a new file handle is generated thats not the
same as the original.
NOTE: This problem does not occur in Microsoft Project version 3.0 for
Windows, Microsoft Excel version 5.0 for Windows, or Microsoft Word version
6.0 for Windows.
WORKAROUNDS
To prevent this problem, do not disconnect from a network drive that
contains any files that may be open in Microsoft Project.
To work around this problem, save the file with another file name, or
to another location by doing the following:
- From the File menu, choose Save As.
- If you currently have access to the network server drive, enter a new
name in the File Name box, and choose OK.
If you do not have access to the network server, use the Drives and
Directories lists to select a directory on your local hard drive and
choose OK.
NOTE: When you use this method, embedded objects and macros
cannot be saved with the file.