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Problem with spaces in directory name

A problem exists with directory names in NT and how ArcView handles them; the problem is actually not with NT but with the way ESRI designed ArcView to run in the NT platform.  In NT you are allowed up to 255 characters, including spaces, in file and folder names.  One user had taken advantage of this naming scheme in setting up the arcview folder, it was called "AV sys files."  The message from arcview when he double-clicked on sav30mg2.apr was "Unable to open project AV."  This was a problem with the space in the folder name.  After renaming the folder all works smoothly. 

So for any NT ArcView user that wants to use a double-click to start both ArcView and the Viewer, here are the instructions. 

  1. Make sure the folder where the viewer resides has a name that contains no spaces.  It also is probably wise to make sure that all folders on the same "file tree branch" contain no spaces.
  2. On the NT desktop click the right mouse button and select New,Shortcut.
  3. Browse to the folder that contains the viewer, make the file type "All Files", select the sav30mg2.apr file, and click "Open"
  4. Press "Next"
  5. Type in a name for the shortcut, spaces are now ok, and press Finish.   (Example "My Viewer")
That should do it.

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