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Vista - Installing programs from installation files which were moved into Windows.old

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Old 11-24-2007   #1 (permalink)


Vista Business 32-bit
 
 

Installing programs from installation files which were moved into Windows.old

Hello,

I just performed a upgrade (clean install option) from Windows XP to Windows Vista 32-bit Business edition. During the upgrade, Vista took all my 'extra' programs and moved them into C:\Windows.old\Program Files\. However some of those programs I would like to use with Vista. Additionally, some I no longer have the original installation files for. So I would like to try and install these program using the installation files that were moved into Windows.old.

I have had mixed success doing this. The program suite I am most interested in "getting back" is MS Office 2007. I think I have located the original setup.exe file for the entire suite. When I click on it, things appear to be going well. and then I get the following error: "Setup cannot continue because a required file is either corrupted or not available..." After reviewing the location of setup.exe I realize that it is stored in C:\Windows.old\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE12 whereas all the files for the individual programs (Word, Excel, etc. are stored in C:\Windows.old\Program Files\Microsoft Office\.

I don't whether these location differences are causing the problem, but I thought it a bit odd. The use of \Common Files\ must be due to having multiple user accounts? In any case, is it possible my error is caused by the separation of setup.exe from the .exe files of each MS suite program? If so, how do I bring the 2 together so that running setup.exe finds the files it needs? ...all assuming that the file is not actually corrupt.

Thank you!

My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 11-24-2007   #2 (permalink)


Windows Vista x64 Ultimate
 
 

Re: Installing programs from installation files which were moved into Windows.old

Quote  Quote: Originally Posted by fdupont View Post
Hello,

I just performed a upgrade (clean install option) from Windows XP to Windows Vista 32-bit Business edition. During the upgrade, Vista took all my 'extra' programs and moved them into C:\Windows.old\Program Files\. However some of those programs I would like to use with Vista. Additionally, some I no longer have the original installation files for. So I would like to try and install these program using the installation files that were moved into Windows.old.

I have had mixed success doing this. The program suite I am most interested in "getting back" is MS Office 2007. I think I have located the original setup.exe file for the entire suite. When I click on it, things appear to be going well. and then I get the following error: "Setup cannot continue because a required file is either corrupted or not available..." After reviewing the location of setup.exe I realize that it is stored in C:\Windows.old\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE12 whereas all the files for the individual programs (Word, Excel, etc. are stored in C:\Windows.old\Program Files\Microsoft Office\.

I don't whether these location differences are causing the problem, but I thought it a bit odd. The use of \Common Files\ must be due to having multiple user accounts? In any case, is it possible my error is caused by the separation of setup.exe from the .exe files of each MS suite program? If so, how do I bring the 2 together so that running setup.exe finds the files it needs? ...all assuming that the file is not actually corrupt.

Thank you!
The last time I successully managed to "re-install" and application without the original install media was way back when with MS Word 2.0 on Windows 3.1, when all relvant settings where stored in a text INI file.

With most software starting from Windows 95, this was not possible. Even if you perchance did manage to find all the exe and dll files (amoungst others), you are missing a multitude of entries in the registry that are required to make everything come together and work.

Find your install media and re-install Office.

If you no longer have the install media for Office 2007, then I can come to two conclusions:
  1. If you still have your license sticker and/or coa for Office 2007, then contact Microsoft who may be able to provide you with replacement media, for a small fee.
  2. You have, in fact, not lost your media at all and are trying to pirate Office 2007 from a friend or collegue. Help bring the price of software down and go out and buy a legal copy, ok?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 11-24-2007   #3 (permalink)
Rick Rogers


 
 

Re: Installing programs from installation files which were moved into Windows.old

Hi,

It's not going to work that way, you need the installation media. Not
everything from it is copied to the system, and some files are just shells
that are built during setup. Had you done an upgrade as opposed to a clean
install, the program would have been migrated for you. There is also the
Easy Transfer Companion, which would have been able to handle the migration
for you if you just had to have a clean install, but it has to be run from
within the working XP installation first.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"fdupont" <fdupont.30jfp5@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net> wrote in message
news:fdupont.30jfp5@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net...
Quote:

>
> Hello,
>
> I just performed a upgrade (clean install option) from Windows XP to
> Windows Vista 32-bit Business edition. During the upgrade, Vista took
> all my 'extra' programs and moved them into C:\Windows.old\Program
> Files\. However some of those programs I would like to use with Vista.
> Additionally, some I no longer have the original installation files for.
> So I would like to try and install these program using the installation
> files that were moved into Windows.old.
>
> I have had mixed success doing this. The program suite I am most
> interested in "getting back" is MS Office 2007. I think I have located
> the original setup.exe file for the entire suite. When I click on it,
> things appear to be going well. and then I get the following error:
> "Setup cannot continue because a required file is either corrupted or
> not available..." After reviewing the location of setup.exe I realize
> that it is stored in C:\Windows.old\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft
> Shared\OFFICE12 whereas all the files for the individual programs (Word,
> Excel, etc. are stored in C:\Windows.old\Program Files\Microsoft
> Office\.
>
> I don't whether these location differences are causing the problem, but
> I thought it a bit odd. The use of \Common Files\ must be due to having
> multiple user accounts? In any case, is it possible my error is caused
> by the separation of setup.exe from the .exe files of each MS suite
> program? If so, how do I bring the 2 together so that running setup.exe
> finds the files it needs? ...all assuming that the file is not actually
> corrupt.
>
> Thank you!
>
>
> --
> fdupont
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 11-24-2007   #4 (permalink)
Jupiter Jones [MVP]


 
 

Re: Installing programs from installation files which were moved into Windows.old

Some program may work that way.
But they are probably older, smaller or both.

Others such as Office 2007 are more likely to need the install media
and without the media, the programs may be lost.

You really need to locate the install media.

Was Office 2007 retail?
If so contact Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246

If Office 2007 is OEM...
Was it a Trial version?
Many OEMs include Microsoft Office 2007 Trial and there may be no way
to reinstall the trial.
If Office came with the computer, it is probably OEM, contact the
computer manufacturer for installation details.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"fdupont" <fdupont.30jfp5@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net> wrote in message
news:fdupont.30jfp5@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net...
Quote:

>
> Hello,
>
> I just performed a upgrade (clean install option) from Windows XP
> to
> Windows Vista 32-bit Business edition. During the upgrade, Vista
> took
> all my 'extra' programs and moved them into C:\Windows.old\Program
> Files\. However some of those programs I would like to use with
> Vista.
> Additionally, some I no longer have the original installation files
> for.
> So I would like to try and install these program using the
> installation
> files that were moved into Windows.old.
>
> I have had mixed success doing this. The program suite I am most
> interested in "getting back" is MS Office 2007. I think I have
> located
> the original setup.exe file for the entire suite. When I click on
> it,
> things appear to be going well. and then I get the following error:
> "Setup cannot continue because a required file is either corrupted
> or
> not available..." After reviewing the location of setup.exe I
> realize
> that it is stored in C:\Windows.old\Program Files\Common
> Files\Microsoft
> Shared\OFFICE12 whereas all the files for the individual programs
> (Word,
> Excel, etc. are stored in C:\Windows.old\Program Files\Microsoft
> Office\.
>
> I don't whether these location differences are causing the problem,
> but
> I thought it a bit odd. The use of \Common Files\ must be due to
> having
> multiple user accounts? In any case, is it possible my error is
> caused
> by the separation of setup.exe from the .exe files of each MS suite
> program? If so, how do I bring the 2 together so that running
> setup.exe
> finds the files it needs? ...all assuming that the file is not
> actually
> corrupt.
>
> Thank you!
>
>
> --
> fdupont
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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