Outlook (or) Word Could Not Create the Work File. Check the temp environment variable

I run Vista Business x64 on an Acer Machine. I am using MS Office 97, and have been on this computer for about a year with no major issues.

I get the following message when opening word: Word Could Not Create the Work File. Check the temp environment variable

And Outlook: Outlook Could Not Create the Work File. Check the temp environment variable

I am then not able to save documents. When the save box comes up, only the cancel or no buttons will work. Word does start without the error message in safe mode. A new file CAN be saved from this, but when that file is opened, the error comes up anew.

Some forums have pointed to add ons. I have deleted all the new add-ons I have put on this machine and problem persists. A posting in this forum seems to perhaps hold the answer. I connected a Western Digital external hard drive to this machine the day before it started malfunctioning. The folks at WD said that the particular drive I was using wouldn't be compatible with vista 64. Then I found this posting (http://forums.techarena.in/newreply....e=1&p=4020359), which indicates that it may be caused by the "Secure Browsing" function of WD Synch. Once I realized that the WD drive wouldn't work, I immediately uninstalled the correlating software.

I then looked at my registry key (as recommended in the aforementioned thread) and changed it to what was recommended by several users. It seems as though what I need to do is reset the registry key to one of the ones recommended by the users, or something new. So my question: what should the registry key be changed to? Does it matter? Why can't I just create a folder for temporary files? And is this truly the root cause of this problem??

Thanks for your help!!

Problem solved! I just looked in some other directories within registry editor and found it under USER shell folders!!!

I am using Microsoft Outlook 2007. I am using a Home Edition of Office 2007 and things look working fine here. I need some help here also to work on the temp folder. Does just checking out stuff under temp environment is more than enough. Will that be working fine.

Have you plugged in a Western Digital external hard drive recently by any chance? Here's a good walk through. http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-623...sageID=2617575

If you are working with a Western Digital external hard drive and secure browsing, you can keep the software running - just make sure that the external drive is connected when you start or work with any of the Office applications.

Following FelixWass idea, it works. But I have to always connect the external disk to computer. Is there any solution without the external connection?

diben805: what's your solution? could you summarize that I can try?

Frustrated with Western Digit.