"Your notebook folder cannot be located" error message when you start OneNote 2003 (831041)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office OneNote 2003
  • Microsoft Office OneNote 2003, Service Pack 1 (SP1)

SYMPTOMS

When you start Microsoft Office OneNote 2003, you receive the following error message in the OneNote 2003 window:
Your notebook folder cannot be located. There may be a problem with the network. You may be able to open sections in another folder until your notebook folder is available again. Otherwise, change the location of your notebook folder by clicking Options on the Tools menu and then clicking the Open and Save category.
Additionally, you cannot create a new page, section, or folder. If you choose to insert a new section or folder, you receive the following error message:
OneNote could not find the file you specified.
Additionally, you may receive the following error message when you start OneNote 2003:
Microsoft OneNote has encountered a problem and needs to close.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if OneNote 2003 cannot access your My Notebook folder. OneNote 2003 cannot access your My Notebook folder if any of the following scenarios are true:
  • Your My Notebook folder is on a network location that is unavailable.
  • The location of your My Notebook folder has changed to a location that is not valid.
  • The location of your My Notebook folder is damaged.

RESOLUTION

Your My Notebook Folder Is on a Network Location That Is Unavailable

If your My Notebook folder is on a network location that is unavailable, check the path of the folder. To check the path of your My Notebook folder, follow these steps:
  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. Under Category, click Open and Save.
If the folder location is a network path, verify that you can access the network location from outside OneNote 2003. If you cannot access the network location, you may have to wait until the network location is available. If you want to change the location of your My Notebook folder, you can choose to modify it from the Options dialog box.

Note Your old notes will not automatically migrate to the new location. You must move or copy your existing notes to the new folder location.

The Location of your My Notebook Folder Is Not Valid

If the My Notebook folder has changed to a location that is not valid, reset the OneNote 2003 folder to the default location. To reset the OneNote 2003 folder to the default location, follow these steps:
  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. Under Category, click Open and Save.
  3. Click Modify.
  4. In the Select Folder dialog box, change the Look in box to your My Documents folder, and then click Select.
  5. Click OK to close the Options dialog box.
  6. Quit and then restart OneNote 2003.
Note OneNote 2003 will now use your path\My Documents\My Notebook folder.

The Location of Your My Notebook Folder Is Damaged

If the location of your My Notebook folder is damaged, OneNote 2003 cannot read the location. You may have to back up your My Notebook folder and create a new one. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Quit OneNote 2003.
  2. Click Start, and then click My Documents.
  3. Right-click your My Notebook folder, and then click Rename.
  4. Type My Old Notebook, and then press ENTER.
When you start OneNote 2003, a new My Notebook folder is created. You can copy or move your existing notes and sections into the new location.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/8/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB831041 kbAudEndUser