Excel can't open or save files from a Firewire drive

[skyking95]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

All of a sudden when I try to load or save an Excel files form a Lacie Firewire portable drive I am getting the following message:

File name.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.

Numbers loads the file just fine and Word has no problems loading any Word files from the same location. I have repaired permissions as well checked the drive and any Excel files. All seems to be OK.

Any ideas??

James

 

[bgarst]

I have a client with a very similar issue. He is using Excel 2004 (all latest updates) on a PowerPC-based Mac mini with 10.4.11. When he opens Excel files locally, they open fine. However, when he tries to open them on a networked server (personal file sharing on domed iMac running 10.4.11), he gets the exact same error message:

"File name .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."

If he drags those exact files locally, they open fine. All other machines on the network can open the files fine while still on the server. And all machines - including the one with the issue - can open 2004 Word files on the server. The problem exists only with Excel...and only on the server....and only when trying to be accessed from this one client machine

 

[skyking95]

Turns out in my case I had two FireWire drives named the same. That was confusing Excel and only Excel. Once I removed one of the same name drives Excel worked great. You might check and make sure folder or drives army carrying the same name.

James