CG3: Previews on Network Drive Error with Clip Gallery 3.0 (195095)

SYMPTOMS

When you run Microsoft Clip Gallery 3.0 across a network, you may receive an error message similar to the following:

Clip Gallery cannot open the previews file \\<filepath>\<filename.CAG> That file is on a network. The file may have been removed or the network server may not be available. Attempting to open that file causes Clip Gallery to open slowly.

This error message may repeat a number of times. After clicking OK, Clip Gallery will open, but there will be very few clips in the Clip Gallery.

CAUSE

This error is caused when all of the following conditions are true:

Two or more workstations, in a networking environment, attempt to access Clip Gallery simultaneously.
The Clip Gallery Package (CAG) files are stored on a shared network server.
At least one user is logged in as administrator, or has full permission to the shared folder when the Artgalry.cag file is located.

This error may also be caused by other conditions.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, you must set the share permissions for the Office 97 Administrative install folder to read-only for all users and groups that have access. Typically there is never going to be a reason for an administrator, or anyone else to have full permissions to this folder.

MORE INFORMATION

The Clip Gallery (CAG) files store indexes and preview images for pictures in the Microsoft Clip Gallery. Because this file can be modified (add, and delete clips), Clip Gallery will attempt to open the CAG files for Read/Write permissions. When Clip Gallery is successful at opening these files for Read/Write permissions, it Locks the files, and does not allow any other access until Clip Gallery is closed. In a shared networking environment, if User1, who is a network administrator, or someone in a group or policy that is allowed full or read/write/change permissions, runs Clip Gallery, the CAG files will be accessed with Read/Write access and Locked from use by all other users attempting to run Clip Gallery. If User2 or any other user attempts to run Clip Gallery while User1 is still running Clip Gallery, User2 and all other users who attempt to run Clip Gallery will receive the error. This will continue to be the case until User1 closes Clip Gallery.

REFERENCES

For additional information, about Clip Gallery network related issues. Please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

158425 CG3: Errors and Unable to View Clipart in Clip Gallery

158425 CG3: Clip Gallery Takes a Long Time to Start

158425 CG3: Error Trying to Delete Image, Category in ClipArt Gallery

For general information, about troubleshooting Clip Gallery issues. Please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

162124 CG3: Clip Gallery General Troubleshooting Tips Part 1 of 2

162128 CG3: Clip Gallery General Troubleshooting Tips Part 2 of 2