Can you map any old network drive (or even local drive or USB or ...) to the F:
drive?

If yes, then do that first and then try starting excel and changing your
settings.

If no, then you could go into the Windows|Registry and search for that string
(is it spelled correctly???) and change it to something that you know exists
(C:\).

For me (xl2003 and winXP Home), I'd look in:
HKCU\software\microsoft\office\11.0\Excel\options

Be careful when you're editing the registry--there is no "are you sure prompt".

You may want to back it up before you do anything.

StuS wrote:

Installed Office 2003 from disk away from any network. Usual startup task
pane appeared in Excel.Tried to clear tick box in 'Options' but received

"Cannot access directory 'h:\Data\spreadshetts\recover'."

Receive same message when trying to switch between tabs in Options Menu.
Removed, restarted and reninstalled Office. Now at a loss to solving problem
/ resetting Main directory.

--

Dave Peterson