I operate a small office network with a desktop and laptop both running Vista
Business. The network includes a DNS-323 NAS drive connected via a Netgear
DGFV338 router. The NAs is configured in RAID1 format with two identical
Seagate hard drives.
The network was set up in September 2007 and ran fine until mid December
2009 when I began to have problems accessing files on the NAS drive. When
trying to open a Word, Excel or saved email file I get the "File In Use"
message saying the files is locked for editing by "another user" even though
it is not open elsewhere.

Saving a newly created file to the NAS drive is fine but if I then edit it
and try to save the changes I get a similar message just saying that the file
is currenlty in use. Try again later.

It is slightly different when I try to open an email that I have saved in
Outlook Message Format – Unicode which is: "cannot open file - may not exist
- may not have permission - or may be open in another program" The
propoerties show I do have permission and it is not open elsewhere.

The same problems also arise when trying to access a shared folder on the
desktop pc on the network.

I don’t have problems opening jpg or pdf files it only seems to be Office
file formats that are affected.

For a question such as this, I would go to a Microsoft User Group with lots of topics broken down to the areas you need answers, particularly when it comes to networking

It will cost you, I think around $15 for an answer, but if you want it fast, then check out Expert Exchange, where there are gurus who live for nothing but answering questions such as yours...You would get an answer probably within an hour! Amazingly, for some reason, I get this service for FREE, but I only use it for really a tough question about once a year, usually involving Access, but some of the coding I have gotten through the years blows my mind with what these gurus can do

Thanks for your suggestion. I have posted the problem on three forums and "Just Answer" which is a paid for site but with no success so far. I will try the sites you suggest too and hopefully I'll eventually hit someone who has seen the problem before and knows a solution.

If it can be solved, you will find it on Expert Exchange, and maybe you will luck out as I do and NOT have to pay

I ask about one question a year there, and only real tough questions, usually about VBA programming in Access

If you don't get an answer there, then I would bet there is NO answer

When those techies get a question, they swarm like sharks to blood and just for points!

They play VBA as a concert pianist plays the piano

Do keep us updated on who solves your problem and did it cost you