XL5 Err Msg: "Cannot Read from Drive" When Accessing Help Menu

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

When you save a file to a floppy disk and then remove the disk from the floppy disk drive, you may experience the following problems:

Microsoft Excel version 5.0

You receive the following error message when you click "Search For Help On" on the Help menu

   Cannot read from drive <n>

Microsoft Excel version 7.0

If you click either "Microsoft Excel Help Topics" or "Answer Wizard" on the Help menu, Help will not appear.

Note, the problems in both versions of Microsoft Excel will persist as long as the "current directory" is pointing to a floppy drive that does not contain a floppy disk.

WORKAROUND

To clear this Microsoft Excel version 5.0 error message from your screen, return the disk to the floppy disk drive and click either the Cancel or Retry button to close the error message.

To have Help appear in Microsoft Excel version 7.0, return the disk to the floppy disk drive.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.