Problem Installing Microsoft Works 4.0 c

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Problem Installing Microsoft Works 4.0 c

My internal hard drive crashed (died) with all of my applications (programs) on it. I have successfully installed back all of my applications from the original program disks with the exception of Microsoft Works Vers. 4.0c. Works will not install the original software back on my HD even though I have the original Works program installation disks. I get the following error messages when I try to run the Installer program on the Works program floppies. 1st error message: Microsoft setup was not completed successfully. 2nd error message: Setup was unable to locate a valid setup table file and cannot proceed without one.

When the crash occurred I had my system folder running OS 9.1 on my other Internal HD so I did not have any startup issues, etc. (thankfully)

I have a gut feeling that because I still have some Works files in my system folder they may be causing the setup program from running properly.

I am hoping someone knows a work around to help me get Works installed back on my HD.

Power Mac 7300/180, Mac OS 9.1.x, Memory 192 MB

Posted on Oct 7, 2007 5:32 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 7, 2007 7:51 AM in response to .ld

This is a guess, not a diagnosis. The surface of the CD could be dirty or damaged preventing it from being read correctly. If it is dirty you can, very carefully, clean it with soap and water and a soft rag. (I use the same liquid in a spray bottle from my optician that I use to clean my glasses.) If the CD is scratched there is not much you can do to repair it.

One thing you might try is to copy the contents of the CD to a new folder on your hard drive. If you get a read error that would confirm the guess the CD is damaged. If you do succeed in the copy, you can try repairing the files in that folder - Disk Warrior or TechTool Pro - and installing from there. (Of course you cannot repair files that are on the CD.)

p.s. I just realised there is one other obvious possibility, viz. the CD drive is not working right. Remote, since you have used it with other CDs, but certainly possible.

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Answer 2

Oct 7, 2007 9:56 AM in response to Eustace Mendis

I have Works 4.0b installed in a folder named Ms_Works4.0 inside the Applications(Mac OS 9) folder. I am sure that folder is a name I made up, so you may have a different folder. It contains:

Tools
Read Me
Microsoft Works Setup
Microsoft Works Calendar
AutoStart Stationery
Microsoft Works 4.0
Clip Art

Tools, Clip Art, and AutoStart Stationery are folders.
In the System Folder > Preferences I have a file:

Works 4.0 Preferences

That is not the same name as the Application, but it is tagged with the same Creator code. I am suggesting your Preference File may have yet a different name, especially if you have changed the name of the Application.

The other "standard place" to look for spare parts is in:
System Folder > Application Support

... mine has no suspicious Works-related files.

There may be some dependency on Microsoft "Equation Editor". It may be installed as part of another Microsoft package and linked to Works.

Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

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Answer 3

.ld Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 7, 2007 5:51 PM in response to Eustace Mendis

Eustace,

My install docs for Works are on floppies not on a CD so I don't believe I have any problem with any gremlins getting unto the surface of my install floppies. (They have been kept in a dust resistant case)

I'm sorry I was not clearer on the install disks--------thanks anyway for your comments

.ld

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Answer 4

.ld Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 7, 2007 7:20 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant,

I have tried to pull out all of the old control panels, extensions, and whatever else from my system folder that have anthing to do with Micro Works form the original install and that has not produced any results. The items I pulled out I put in a folder on my desktop. (in case I may need them later) The Vers.of Works you have 4.0b I also have. That version was for a 68K machine. According to the info on the install floppies I must install the 68K Version first & then install the Power PC version (4.0c) over that. I have done that and I get the same error messages that I mentioned in my original post.

I believe the answer is in the error messages that I mentioned in my original post. In the 2nd error message it mentions a "valid setup table file" and I have no idea what that is or where I might get one??

Thanks for your input!!

.ld

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Answer 5

Oct 7, 2007 7:49 PM in response to .ld

My recollection was that Works searched your Hard Drive when it installed, looking for old fragments of the software. If you still have them on your desktop, they may be interfering with the installation.

If none of it is working, you have nothing to lose by copying it off to other Volume(s), backing it up and removing it, or just trashing it.

I used a program to search for all files with that creator, and found only the ones I mentioned above.

The 68K version works ~~fine~~ as well as it ever did on a G4 under Classic. I have never done an upgrade to a PowerPC-native version.

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Answer 6

Oct 8, 2007 6:34 AM in response to .ld

Not disagreeing with Grant's suggestions in any way, but it occurs to me that file/media corruption is even more likely with a floppy than a CD. Yes, a floppy can deteriorate just sitting in your case.

Can you make copies of the floppies? Suggest you copy the floppies and check the files on those copies.

I know I too have, somewhere, a case of floppies including MSWorks. But I do not have a Mac that has a floppy drive. (No idea why I am still hanging on to those things.)

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Answer 7

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

Oct 9, 2007 5:56 AM in response to .ld

Eustace indicated that the installation diskettes as such could create difficulties. The floppies may have been affected by external magnetic fields or they could have been mechanically damaged by a disk drive. One way of verifying the stability of a floppy disk is to lock it and load it (Read Master Floppy) in Disk Copy 4.2.2 and make a note of the checksum(s). Then, repeat the procedure a number of times; the checksum(s) should remain the same.

Regarding the installation (and I, too, am guessing here), could some invisible files be involved? Also, could the MS Works installer possibly be looking for an earlier version of Works or for a totally different program (e.g. in connection with a "competition upgrade")?

If necessary, why not clean install and boot from a small temporary system folder.

Jan

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Answer 8

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

Oct 9, 2007 6:15 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Disk Copy 4.2.2

Correction

Disk Copy 4.2

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Answer 9

.ld Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 9, 2007 4:20 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

Jan.

I doubt that I have any problems with the install disks, I copied the 68K Vers. of the Microsoft install disk just as you had explained using disk copy 4.2------------it copied perfectly and when I tried to use the copy I got the same errors as I mentioned in my original post. I did not do the checksums as you had mentioned because the disk and the backup I made are working perfectly. I have not gotten any kind of error code that would be linked to a problem with the disks. My floppy disk drive has never caused me a problem in the past so I have no reason so suspect the floppy drive as being the issue.

I think the Micosoft Works error messages hold the key to the problem. Especially the error that says "setup was unable to locate a valid setup table file and cannot proceed without one", if I only knew what a valid setup table file was I might be able to dig deeper into the issue!!

I also ran Disk Warrior from the Disk Warrior CD to check out my Hard Drive, Warrior found some issues with my Hard Drive which it fixed--------I then tried the Works install disk again after fixing the errors with Warrior but had the same errors. ????????

Thanks for your input but we are still out in the woods!

.ld

I

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