Windows installer runs each time I open Access 2003

[dawnd3]

It doesn't happen with the rest of the office programs, just Access. I just installed Office 2003 and did the update from Microsoft after uninstalling Office 2000 (It didn't upgrade properly the first time so I uninstalled all and then reinstalled 2003 clean) I choose to install all components so nothing should be set to install on first use or anything like that.

Any ideas?

Dawn

http://www.calliopeconsulting.net

 

[dawnd3]

Hi again, I was hoping that someone could help me here. It has been over a month and I still can't get this fixed. I even have Microsoft on the case. I created a new user account and opened Access there and it was fine, however, there is an error when I try to run the wizards (on either account.) Something about them not being installed or that they are disabled. Of course I have done everything to insure they are installed, so I am thinking it is some registry goof. Any ideas?

Dawn

http://www.calliopeconsulting.net

 

[THWatson]

Dawn
It would appear that nobody has encountered this specific problem, and that is why you haven't received a reply.

You might try going to www.wopr.com which is Woody's Office Portal site, and posting on there to see if anybody there knows of your difficulty, and could offer suggestions. Go to the Lounge, sign up (it's free), and then go to the Access link and make your post.

Aside from that, it could well be, as you suggest, that it has to do with some registry goof.

I know it's a pain, but one suggestion might be to save any files you want to keep, totally uninstall the program again, run a registry clean program if you have one, then defrag your hard drive. The reason for this last step is that when a program is uninstalled it still leaves a "shadow footprint" on the hard drive so if you reinstall without defragging (or putting some other small file on before the reinstall process) the progam gets put back on precisely where it was before and the old stuff just gets refreshed.

You say you have Microsoft on the case. Did they offer any suggestions?

Also, have you downloaded the recent Office 2003 Service Pack?

I used Access 2003 on my laptop for a few months. I had no trouble with the installation. I did encounter other problems with which I couldn't live so I took it off and went back to 2000, but it could be that Service Pack 1 has helped solve the problems.

Tom

 

[dawnd3]

Hi Tom, Thank you so much for the reply. I think I should try the defrag idea as I was thinking that and forgot to try it. Microsoft had me go through a few tests, only to find out that the problem doesn't exist on a new user account and so their solution is to just create and use a new user account. I hate work arounds, but oh well. The Wizard issue still happens on the new user too. I think I mentioned that in the previous post, sorry. Anyway, I think I am going to try your idea and maybe just give in and move over to the new account. Does it matter which user account you install MS Office on as long as it is an administrator account?

Dawn

http://www.calliopeconsulting.net

 

[assets]

As Tom said now that service Pack 1 for office2003 is out it may solve your problem. I read somthing on MSDN site similar to this do not remember ( You may need to have a look at Microsoft.

 

[THWatson]

Dawn
As for which user account you install Office on, I'm not sure as I haven't had to do that work around.

Before I did it, though, I would see if Service Pack 1 solves the problem.

Good luck.

Tom

 

[dawnd3]

I forgot to reply to the service pack suggestion. SP1 actually is the version that came on the disk. (from Microsoft partner program). Should I try for updates any way?

Thanks,

Dawn

http://www.calliopeconsulting.net

 

[assets]

When i check yesterday there were no rael updates to access since SP1

 

[dawnd3]

I haven't posted in a while but this problem still exists. I haven't really worried about it but it is annoying. I switched user accounts but that brought a host of new problems so I just switched back figuring one problem is better than 10 new ones. LOL Anyway, if anyone knows how to check and see what the installer is trying to install, (like a log somewhere) then I was thinking I could fix it by installing that one thing.

Thanks,

Dawn

http://www.calliopeconsulting.net

 

[PHV]

like a log somewhere
Perhaps in C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Local Settings\Temp

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ222-2244

 

[AccessGuruCarl]

dawnd3,

It sound like to me...
When Office is updated/removed or just about any software for that matter...It may/will leave 'old' traces of the program in the Windows sub-folders... And even the Programs Folder.

I ran into this exact same problem with Office97 and 2000 when I upgraded. Then when I tried to remove 2000, and re-install 97, it created even more issues... Older files will not delete the newer file!!! Hence, same file name, different versions when re-installing.... Caused major problems...Tried going about this both ways, First 97, then 2000.

MS was of no help, similiar reply I think... Create new users...

I finally fixed the problem by formatting the drive and re-installing everything back.

Did not install 97 only 2000 on the newly formatted machine and everything ran great!

This maybe something to consider...
You will need to contact MS to Re-Activate your office product, and Windows as well if your running XP.

You can bypass the Windows reactivation by backing up your WPA file, search google for RockXP for a freeware utility.

WARNING: Remember to backup all your important files before formatting your drive! Check & Re-check to make sure you got everything! Email settings, My Documents folder, Favorites, ect...

Good Luck
Carl

AccessGuruCarl
Programmers helping programmers
you can't find a better site.

 

[assets]

I just had an interestering problem on my home machine. I using xp with service patch2 and just installed service patch1. now every time I open any file, the security now saying tere could be issues. ( had not had this problem on work machines)

Never give up never give in.

 

[dawnd3]

Hi Carl, I appreciate your reply but I really don't think this issue is big enough for me that it is worth reformatting the drive.

http://www.calliopeconsulting.net

 

[eireanacht]

dawnd3, we've had similar issues here at our work. In our case, there were (by design) multiple versions of Access installed on the same computer. The problem was that when you ran one particular version of Access, it bumped the later/earlier versions, and made them think they had to be reinstalled on the next time you started the database. I solved this problem by hard coding the path to the correct version of Access directly into the icon on the desktop. So in your target reference of the icon properties you ended up with "<path to correct version of MS Access>" <a blank space> "<path and file name of correct database application or .mdb>"

Not a very elegant solution, perhaps, but I think it would work for your situation at least until a more refined solution comes along.

Hope this helps.