Why won't this link open a file anymore?

I have a Web application that is hosted locally on Websphere. In the application there is a link to a .doc file located on a windows server.

<a href="K:\TTMS\ATeam\Misc_Regular_Reports\MTeam\Output\CIT.doc" target="_blank">CIT</a>

The link was been working for years, but suddenly stopped working on all computers on the network. When I click the link, nothing happens. I checked the files path and name, and nothing has changed. The interface is viewed using IE8.

Does anyone have any clues onto why this isnt working or where I can look to resolve this?

edit: i have just noticed that the file (CIT_.doc) has been saved in the same directory, could this have an effect on it?

Solution

I'd imagine one of the following has occured:

The file has been moved or renamed
The K: drive has been re-mapped or other wise modified to a different location
A popup blocker is tampering with the link (because target="_blank")

In other words you need to manually check that file location within explorer, you also need to try a different browser.

Also you need to change the link to:

<a href="file:///K:/TTMS/ATeam/Misc_Regular_Reports/MTeam/Output/CIT.doc" target="_blank">CIT</a>

See here for the reason, you may also need to URLEncode it.