Unable to save HTML file

  • Thread starter Thread starter C. Roy Blye
  • Start date Start date
C

C. Roy Blye

Hi,

Note: The following description refers to an HTML file residing in a folder
on my computer, not an HTML file on the internet (web page.)

When I open an existing HTML file with Notepad, then attempt to "Save" it,
an alert message box appears which says:
"Cannot create the C:\Users\Me\Desktop\folder name\filename.html file.
Make sure the path and filename are correct."

I can "Save As..." a different file name or different file type, but cannot
"Save" in the normal manner.

This problem only affects saving an HTML file. There is no problem with
other file types.

I'm not certain of the time sequence, but I think I downloaded an update to
QuickTime since the last time there wasn't a problem.

Thanks for your help,

CRB

PS My apologies for apparent multiple postings. I'm not familiar with the
"idiosyncrasies" of this forum. I'm learning, though. :)
 
C. Roy Blye said:
Hi,

Note: The following description refers to an HTML file residing in a folder
on my computer, not an HTML file on the internet (web page.)

When I open an existing HTML file with Notepad, then attempt to "Save" it,
an alert message box appears which says:
"Cannot create the C:\Users\Me\Desktop\folder name\filename.html file.
Make sure the path and filename are correct."

I can "Save As..." a different file name or different file type, but cannot
"Save" in the normal manner.

This problem only affects saving an HTML file. There is no problem with
other file types.

I'm not certain of the time sequence, but I think I downloaded an update to
QuickTime since the last time there wasn't a problem.

Thanks for your help,

CRB

PS My apologies for apparent multiple postings. I'm not familiar with the
"idiosyncrasies" of this forum. I'm learning, though. :)
Click to expand...

Try right-clicking Notepad and choosing ' Run as administrator ', then opening/saving the
html document.

If it works you can create a shortcut to Notepad and then right-click > Properties > Advanced
and select ' Run as admin'.
 
Thanks, Dave

Actually, I have always been able to open a new Notepad (Text Document),
then within the Notepad navigate to an HTML file, open it and then save it
without a problem.

Example:
Right click Desktop...New...Text Document...File...Open...(navigate to html
file, select the file)...Open...File ...Save : no problem. However, if I
leave the Notepad open and then simultaneously open the HTML file in IE,
then I can't "Save" anymore.

What I can't do are either of the following sequences:
1) Right click on an HTML file icon...Open With...Notepad...File...Save or
2) Open an HTML file in IE...right click page...View Source...(Notepad opens
source by default)...File...Save
Either of these methods results in the error message box:
"Cannot create the C:\Users\Me\Desktop\folder name\filename.html file.
Make sure the path and filename are correct."

I should note that I've been doing this for 10 years without issues. The
problem described in this message began just 2-3 days ago. It's new.
Something has changed in my computer to cause it. I mentioned the QuickTime
download as a longshot possibility as a cause.

Thanks again
CRB
 
I should note that I've been doing this for 10 years without issues. The
problem described in this message began just 2-3 days ago. It's new.
Something has changed in my computer to cause it. I mentioned the QuickTime
download as a longshot possibility as a cause.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the file is locked. Vista's file system is known to throw
erroneous error messages when there are lock or security issues with a
file.

I could not reproduce your error.
 
"Cannot create the C:\Users\Me\Desktop\folder name\filename.html file.

Your path is incorrect. Trying to save it to the Desktop ? Saving to the desktop
will always give you that issue
 
Peter Foldes said:
"Cannot create the C:\Users\Me\Desktop\folder name\filename.html file.

Your path is incorrect. Trying to save it to the Desktop ? Saving to the desktop
will always give you that issue
Click to expand...

What are you talking about ?
I always save stuff to the Desktop and I never get that message.
 
C. Roy Blye said:
Thanks, Dave

Actually, I have always been able to open a new Notepad (Text Document),
then within the Notepad navigate to an HTML file, open it and then save it
without a problem.

Example:
Right click Desktop...New...Text Document...File...Open...(navigate to html
file, select the file)...Open...File ...Save : no problem. However, if I
leave the Notepad open and then simultaneously open the HTML file in IE,
then I can't "Save" anymore.

What I can't do are either of the following sequences:
1) Right click on an HTML file icon...Open With...Notepad...File...Save or
2) Open an HTML file in IE...right click page...View Source...(Notepad opens
source by default)...File...Save
Either of these methods results in the error message box:
"Cannot create the C:\Users\Me\Desktop\folder name\filename.html file.
Make sure the path and filename are correct."

I should note that I've been doing this for 10 years without issues. The
problem described in this message began just 2-3 days ago. It's new.
Something has changed in my computer to cause it. I mentioned the QuickTime
download as a longshot possibility as a cause.

Thanks again
CRB
Click to expand...

I don't know - I can't generate your error message. Have you tried a System restore?
 
Bob,

Do you have any suggestions for how to diagnose/fix the possible locked
file? That's not a subject I'm knowledgeable about.

Thanks,
crb
 
Dave,

I'm glad you couldn't reproduce my problem - that would mean YOU have a
problem!

I have considered a System restore as a last resort. The last time I did a
restore, though, it bombed my security software and it took me half a day
to uninstall/re-install/update it. Not fun.

Thanks,
crb
 
Peter,

Sorry, I don't know what you're getting at. I've been creating html files in
folders on my Desktop for many years with no problems. Where else would I
put them?

crb
 
Andy,

No, it's not set to read-only. Just for kicks, I set it to read-only and
then tried to save to it; no surprise it wouldn't let me do it. The error
message just said "Can't Save to Read Only" instead of the "Can't create
file to path..." as is happening with my problem.

Thanks,
crb
 
Bob,

Do you have any suggestions for how to diagnose/fix the possible locked
file? That's not a subject I'm knowledgeable about.

Thanks,
crb
Click to expand...

I could see that Internet Explorer and Notepad could get into a tizzy
about the file being open in one while the other program is trying to
overwrite it. Not to mention, Vista does some funky file system things
and MSIE is not known for its consistency in this area. However, I
wasn't able to re-create the issue, so I assume it's not standard
behavior of one program intentionally locking the file.

I'd check the permissions on the file and the desktop as a start.
Perhaps you have some odd combination that's exposing a VIsta oddity.


What happens if you open the file with Firefox instead of MS IE and
try the same save? I assume you've tried a re-boot between instances
of this problem? That cures some Vista file system issues.

Another thought it to use another editor. Notepad can be funky. It's
also a poor HTML editor. You can get HTML Kit for free
http://www.chami.com/html-kit/ It takes a little configuration to make
it as friendly as it can be and to do exactly what YOU want, but it's
very good (and free!).
 
Thanks, Dave

Actually, I have always been able to open a new Notepad (Text Document),
then within the Notepad navigate to an HTML file, open it and then save
it without a problem.

Example:
Right click Desktop...New...Text Document...File...Open...(navigate to
html file, select the file)...Open...File ...Save : no problem. However,
if I leave the Notepad open and then simultaneously open the HTML file
in IE, then I can't "Save" anymore.

What I can't do are either of the following sequences: 1) Right click on
an HTML file icon...Open With...Notepad...File...Save or 2) Open an HTML
file in IE...right click page...View Source...(Notepad opens source by
default)...File...Save
Either of these methods results in the error message box: "Cannot create
the C:\Users\Me\Desktop\folder name\filename.html file. Make sure the
path and filename are correct."
Click to expand...

Patient: Doctor, Doctor - it hurts when I do this!

Doctor: Well, don't do that.
 
Hello Everybody,

Here's a tidbit that may or may not shed any light on my problem:

The same exact problem occurred a few months ago. (At least the outward
appearance was exactly the same; the underlying cause may have been
different.) After many hours of teeth-gnashing and hair-pulling and
trial-and-error, I stumbled on a fix. By changing the folder containing the
HTML file from "All files" to "Documents" (in properties...customize), the
problem went away. I thought at the time that was exceedingly strange, but
it worked, so I just left it alone and went on my merry way. Now the problem
is back, and of course the same strange fix doesn't apply.

I still have a sneaky suspicion that there might be a correlation with the
QuickTime update (see prior message). That was the only significant change
to my computer after the time that there wasn't a problem. However, that
level of knowledge is way out of my league.

Just a thought,
CRB
 
Ray,

Your useless comments are not welcomed.

crb
Click to expand...

Thanks! You've made my day! This is absolutely hilarious - all this time
and bandwidth wasted on a system that won't allow you to edit a file
because a browser has it open!
 
Thanks, Dave

Actually, I have always been able to open a new Notepad (Text Document),
then within the Notepad navigate to an HTML file, open it and then save
it without a problem.

Example:
Right click Desktop...New...Text Document...File...Open...(navigate to
html file, select the file)...Open...File ...Save : no problem. However,
if I leave the Notepad open and then simultaneously open the HTML file
in IE, then I can't "Save" anymore.

What I can't do are either of the following sequences: 1) Right click on
an HTML file icon...Open With...Notepad...File...Save or 2) Open an HTML
file in IE...right click page...View Source...(Notepad opens source by
default)...File...Save
Either of these methods results in the error message box: "Cannot create
the C:\Users\Me\Desktop\folder name\filename.html file. Make sure the
path and filename are correct."

I should note that I've been doing this for 10 years without issues. The
problem described in this message began just 2-3 days ago. It's new.
Something has changed in my computer to cause it. I mentioned the
QuickTime download as a longshot possibility as a cause.

Thanks again
CRB
Click to expand...

Have you tried the obvious - another browser?
 
Bob,

I wouldn't expect you to be able to reproduce the problem. If you could, you
would have a problem!

I checked the permissions of the html file and its containing folder. Both
look OK. I don't know how to do permissions for the Desktop.

Actually, my regular editor is Notepad++, not Notepad, but I can't save with
Notepad++ either. I assumed if the Notepad problem got fixed, it would also
fix the Notepad++ problem. However, the error message when trying to save
with Notepad++ is different than the one with Notepad:

Notepad ++ error message:
"Save failed
Please check whether this file is opened in another program."

Notepad error message:
"Cannot create the
C:\Users\Roy\Desktop\WebPages\test.html file
Make sure that the path and file name are correct."

When I open the file with Firefox it works!! Yay! Are we on to something?
It would be great if this sheds light on the problem. I wouldn't consider it
a fix, though.
The Microsoft method is still broken, and I really need it to be working.

Thanks!
CRB
 
Is there a way to put this twit on ignore?

ray said:
Thanks! You've made my day! This is absolutely hilarious - all this time
and bandwidth wasted on a system that won't allow you to edit a file
because a browser has it open!
Click to expand...
 
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