OFF2001: Double-Clicking File Produces an Error Message Instead of Starting Program and Opening File (308721)

SYMPTOMS

When you double-click a file icon while the file's corresponding Office 2001 program is closed, you may receive the following error message:

The application Microsoft application could not be opened because Microsoft Dialog lib could not be found

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if an incomplete or damaged copy of the Office 4.2 program is installed on the computer.

When you open a file from the Finder by double-clicking the file, the Desktop file tries to locate the program that the file belongs to and then use that program to open the file. If multiple copies of Office (including different versions) are installed, the Desktop file may open the incomplete Office 4.x copy.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, remove Office 4.2 from your computer, and then rebuild the Desktop file:

Open the Microsoft Office folder on the hard disk.
Double-click Microsoft Office Setup.
Click Remove All to remove Office 4.2 from the computer.
Restart the computer while you press and hold down COMMAND+OPTION.
When you see the Are you sure you want to rebuild the desktop file on the disk Disk Name? dialog box, release the COMMAND+OPTION keys, and then click OK.

If the Setup program is not available, you can remove Office 4.2.x manually. For additional information about how to manually remove Office 4.2, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

155477 MacOFF: How to Do a Clean Reinstallation of Office 4.2.x

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about compatibility issues between Office 4.2.1 and OS 9.0 or later, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

288769 OFF4: Office for Macintosh 4.2.1 Is Not Compatible with Mac OS 9.0 or Later

For additional information about problems that can occur if Office 4.2 remains on your computer along with a newer version of Office, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

183854 OFF98: Double-Clicking a File Starts Earlier Version of the Program

The Desktop file is a hidden database file that contains information about the files, folders, and other resources on your computer's hard disk. It is recommended that you regularly rebuild your Desktop file, as frequently as once a month, to maintain overall system performance. Also rebuild your Desktop file after you install any software.