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Application password???

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16 replies

by andrew_t

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I have a user who is on a NT 4.0 workstation and is trying to open MS Word through his start bar-programs. It then prompts him for a username and password for another pc's C drive. It doesn't do this when he double clicks on the desktop shortcut! What could be the problem?

16 replies

by yorkster

it's probally a path problem delete the icon on the tool bar then recreate it, make sure you point to the local copy of word.

by andrew_t

All shortcuts are pointing to the local office program.
Shortcuts are pointing to:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\*.exe

by nthawkins

Sounds like Word is trying to use a previously mapped drive letter to access something... perhaps a default save directory for documents? First look at the path used by the shortcut, and make sure it's local. Then try using the "net use" command at the command prompt and see what drives are mapped and which are marked "disconnected." This may give you clues as to which drive mappings are causing the problem. Possibly the program was setup or used under one user with a certain set of mapped drives, and now you're logged on as someone else with a different set. Good luck.

by andrew_t

Nothing is mapped, this is a fesh install of NT and Office 97. Installed off of cd NOT network.
Shortcuts are pointing to:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\*.exe

by bill cassada

Simple:

The START-->PROGRAM icon points to the local copy (or should unless someone changed it).

The SHORTCUT points to the mapped drive for some reason. Right-click on the shortcut, click on properties, then SHORTCUT tab to see where the shortcut is pointing to. Change it to point to the local copy of the app and all is solved.

I hope, at any rate.

:)

by andrew_t

I tried this didn't work. Still asking for a username and password for Excel and Access.

Shortcuts are pointing to:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\*.exe

by bill cassada

You used an asterisk....is that what the shortcut shows?? If so that is for sure a problem. If not, check the permissions on those apps. I'm still thinking here....

by andrew_t

No...the asterick is to represent each programs shortcut ie...
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OUTLOOK.EXE

by nthawkins

I think the problem might be caused by the fact that the app suite was installed while logged in as one user, and is now being used while logged in as another user. Try logging in as the user that installed the app and then running the program. Or, login as administrator or equivalent and go to user manager. Give the user you are having these problems with administrative rights and see if that fixes it. If it's in a domain, then make sure you aren't just making these changes in the local SAM.

by andrew_t

I think somebody needs to do some studying on WinNt. First of all...you NEVER give an end user Administrative rights on their machine. Second you can't innstall office as a user on WinNT, you must be logged in as an Administrator. Thanks but no thanks!

by bill.parks

Office is traditionally installed to the All Users program group. When you or anyone else logs in, do they get the same error??? Is it just with Word??? Log in as an administrator, local or domain, and cruise to %systemroot%\profiles\all users\startmenu\programs and delete that Word shortcut. Copy the one from his desktop (%systemroot%\profiles\username\desktop, since we know that one works) and copy it to the preciously mentioned location. That should do it...Also, in the shortcut properties,make sure the Start In: field is blank.

by andrew_t

I tried this earlier and it solved the word, excel, and outlook errors, BUT now when he tries to open an excel attachment in outlook it still is asking for a password.

by nthawkins

Well then. Regarding your reply:
"I think somebody needs to do some studying on WinNt. First of all...you NEVER give an end user Administrative rights on their machine. Second you can't innstall office as a user on WinNT, you must be logged in as an Administrator. Thanks but no thanks!"
First, I'm not suggesting you permanently give them administrative rights, but just so that you can see if that solves the problem. If it does, that's your answer. Reinstall logged in as them, take away the rights, and it might work. Second, you have misunderstood. Anybody with administrative rights can install software. Were you logged on as you (who probably has administrative rights) or as the Administrator, or someone else with admin rights? I still think that's your problem. It sounds like Word is trying to map to an administrative share.

by nthawkins

PS- Problems come up w/ admin shares when different users log on, esp. if you use roaming profiles... Do you? NT tries to maintain shortcut paths and sometimes uses admin shares to do it.

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