WD2000: Error Message: "Word Could Not Locate or Start <path>\MSQRY32.EXE" When You Try to Use MS Query (228673)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000

This article was previously published under Q228673

SYMPTOMS

If you attempt to use MSQuery to obtain data from an external data source for use in Microsoft Word 2000, you may receive the following error message:
Word could not locate or start path\MSQRY32.EXE
When you click OK, the following error message is displayed:
Word could not re-establish a DDE connection to Microsoft Query to complete the current task.

CAUSE

The error messages in the "Symptoms" section of this article can appear under the following circumstances:
  • You upgrade from Microsoft Office 97 to Microsoft Office 2000.

    -and-
  • You previously installed MS Query for Microsoft Office 97, and MS Query is set to Install on First Use with Microsoft Office 2000.
This problem occurs because the MS Query files that were installed by Microsoft Office 97 for Windows are not removed during the upgrade to Microsoft Office 2000. When Word 2000 initiates MS Query, Word 2000 attempts to use the version of MS Query that is already installed on the computer (for example, in the Office folder), instead of prompting to install the feature on first use.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, delete the following MS Query 97 files, which are located in the "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office" folder. These files were not removed during the upgrade.
  • MSQRY32.AW
  • MSQRY32.HLP
  • MSQRY32.CNT
  • MSQRY32.EXE
After you delete the MS Query 97 files, when you attempt to use MS Query in Word 2000, the following message appears:
Microsoft Word can't start Microsoft Query. This feature is not currently installed. Would you like to install it now?
Click Yes to install Microsoft Query.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/6/2002
Keywords:kbbug KB228673