PC Win: Err Msg: Your Message File Could Not Be Opened...

 Last reviewed: October 19, 1995
Article ID: Q99277
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Mail for Windows, versions 3.0 and 3.0b

SYMPTOMS

If SHARE.EXE is not running with version 3.0 of Microsoft Mail for Windows, the following error message may occur during the client installation or upon loading the client: 

   Your message file could not be opened. To access your
   message file in its current location, mail requires that
   the MS-DOS utility SHARE.EXE be run before Windows is started.
This error message may also be received even though SHARE may be currently running on the workstation. This may be due to the network server not running SHARE or an equivalent file locking scheme.

CAUSE

By default, most networks account for file locking internally, thus alleviating the need to run Share on the network server. However, some networks such as Windows for Workgroups, LANtastic and NetWare Lite may not load SHARE or an equivalent file locking scheme automatically.

RESOLUTION

To solve this problem, verify that SHARE is indeed running on the server where the postoffice is located. If SHARE is not loaded on the server, it must be loaded and the workstation must be completely restarted for it to recognize the server change.

MORE INFORMATION

SHARE.EXE is always required when version 3.0 Mail for Windows is used. The 3.0b Windows client does not require SHARE if the user's .MMF file is located on the server.

Additional reference words: 3.00 3.00b wfw setup install errmsg alert
KBCategory: kbusage kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: MailPCWin

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Last reviewed: October 19, 1995
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