can't open Excel files on networked Mac

[schusterian]

I can't open Excel files on my eMac when they are being read from a
networked iMac in the office. When I try, I get the following error
message:

------
'whateverfile.xls' cannot be accessed.

The file may be read only, or you may be trying to access a read-only
location. Or, the server the document is stored on may not be
responding.
------

None of these problems are the case. I've checked "Ownership &
Permissions" in Info on the file's home computer and made sure that
everything is set to "Read & Write." Three other facts:

1. If I drag the file of the other computer from the networked folder
onto my desktop, I can open it from there. This is the best
work-around, but is not an acceptable long-term solution for our
needs.

2. A user on the other computer (slightly older iMac) can open files
on the my eMac after networking in. So it's a one-way problem.

3. I can open MS Word docs just fine, but not Excel files.

Hard- and software details: I am operating a 2004 eMac with OSX 10.3.5
and the latest MS Office for Mac. The Excel is version 11.1. The
computer I'm linked to (through Airport Express) is an iMac 800 with
OSX 10.3.5 but a slightly older version of MS Office for Mac. Its
Excel is version 10.1.

Another possibly related problem is that the Excel on my eMac
periodically crashes. I've talked to Applecare about this and all they
could suggest is that I reload everything -- useless. The work-around
for the occarionally crashing is constant saving. I've reported this
to MS as well.

I hope someone can help!

Thanks,
John

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

None of these problems are the case. I've checked "Ownership &
Permissions" in Info on the file's home computer and made sure that
everything is set to "Read & Write." Three other facts:

I *think* that when a file is open elsewhere it is considered read-only
by the Finder. In any case, you're not supposed to have to people
working ton the same file at the same time... :-\


Corentin