[Ham-Computers] RE: MS XP And Missing Files

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Office 2000 and Office XP are known to "request" the CD when certain
features/functions are used or it detects something wrong with the current
installation.  If it was installed with the "typical" feature set, then when
a lesser used feature/function is used that's not part of the "typical"
installation, then it will request the installation CD to install that
feature.  Changing the Outlook configuration from "Internet" to
"Corporate/Exchange" (or vice versa) is also something that requires the CD
to do.

The "fix" is to insert the CD when requested.  Note: it must be the original
CD that was used during the initial installation or one from a similar
"family".  The .MSI file may be named differently on different CD's.  For
example, on certain Office "Standard" CD's, it might be named "office.msi".
Others may be "offstd.msi" or "data1std.msi".  Office Pro might be
"pro.msi", "offpro.msi", or "data1pro.msi".  At work, we have Microsoft
Select media that has all four versions of office on one installation CD
(plus 3 supplemental CD's).  As such, there are 4 different .MSI files - one
for each version (Standard, Pro, Premium, ???).  It's also possible to
create modified .MSI files with totally different names for customized
installations.

MS didn't do this to confuse people - it was done partially out of copy
protection.  The "installation key" (aka "serial number") only works with
the same "family" of media.  For example, if you buy Office off-the-shelf,
it comes with an off-the-shelf installation key.  Our MS Select comes with a
MS Select "VLPK" installation key.  OEM's that install Office on a new PC
use OEM keys.  Each type of key only works with the CD it was designed for -
I can't use a Select VLPK with an off-the-shelf CD.

What might be happening is that the CD doesn't match the installation media
originally used.  Or, the .MSI filename on the CD is different than the one
used during the original installation.  If Office was pre-installed by a
vendor and they gave him/her this particular CD, then he should contact the
vendor for support.  If this was an "off-the-shelf" purchase, then a
re-installation may be necessary.

But before going this far, try a "repair" of Office.  In the "Add/Remove
Programs" control panel, select MS Office.  The office installer should then
ask if you want to Add, Remove, or Repair office.  Select "Repair" - it will
require the CD.

If a repair doesn't work, then try running the SETUP program directly from
the CD.  This should reset the Office installer and force it to use the .MSI
file on the CD.  If the installer detects an existing installation, it
should give the same "Add/Remove/Repair" prompt mentioned above.  If not,
then just go ahead and re-install Office over the existing installation.
Make sure to select a "Complete" installation so every component is
installed.  If this still doesn't work, then do a complete un-install and
re-install of Office.  There are a few more steps if the problem still
exists after doing all this.

73 & GL,


-----Original Message-----
From: Duane Fischer, W8DBF [mailto:dfischer at usol.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 1:03 PM
	
A friend has a Windows XP Home Edition system with MS Office XP. (this is
licensed software, no copies here!) It has worked fine for a year. Now when
he
tries to load any MS Word or Excelle file that he had previously saved, he
gets
an error message teling him that he needs to install a file first. This is
some
sort of .msifile. There is no such file on the installation CD. The
installation
is then aborted. 	
	
Is there any known quirk with this XP version of Office that would cause
this?
If not, suggestions as to the cause and a fix?	
	
Hopefully not a removal of the program and a fresh install!	
	
What about a firewall program, such as Zone Alarm, causing this? He did
recently
upgrade it.  	
	
Thanks.		

Reply to Bob at: kc8dne at arrl.net