I have a small isssue. Help!!

Follow the steps and see if you can help
I am working with VBA excel in excel 97

1. I am opening an old excel file ( excel4/5) that refers ( has a link to) an old xlm file.

2. When i try and close this excel file i get an error telling me that i can't close the linked xlm file.

3. I need to be able to close this linked file to carry on.

Any ideas whatsoever!!!! would be appreciated