"The document name or path is not valid" error message when you open a Word 2002 document that is in a document management program (832890)

Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you use Microsoft Word 2002 to try to open a document that is in a document management program, you may receive the following error message:

The document name or path is not valid. Try these suggestions.
- Check the file permissions for the document or drive.
- Use the File Open dialog box to locate the document.
C:\...\path\filename

RESOLUTION

How to obtain the hotfix

This issue is fixed in the Office XP Post-Service Pack 2 Hotfix Package dated May 9, 2004. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

829349 Description of the Office XP post-Service Pack 3 hotfix package: May 9, 2004

After you install this hotfix, follow the steps that are listed in the "More Information" section of this article to set the RepairSmartTags registry key and to activate the hotfix.

MORE INFORMATION

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
To activate this hotfix, follow these steps:

Quit Word.
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
Locate, and then click to select the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Common
After you select the key that is specified in step 4, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click DWORD Value.
Type RepairSmartTags, and then press ENTER.
Right-click RepairSmartTags, and then click Modify.
In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
On the File menu, click Exit to quit Registry Editor.

The hotfix removes corrupted smart tags from the document without user intervention if the required registry key is enabled. This problem may also occur when you try to open a document that is not in a document management program.

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

328100 WD2002: "The document name or path is not valid" error message when you open a document

For more information about Smart Tags, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type smart tags in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.