ODE97: Files in Compressed Setup Must Have 3-Character Extension

• Microsoft Office 97 Developer Edition Tools

SYMPTOMS

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

When you run the Setup program for your custom application, you may receive the following error message

   Setup could not open the file:
   <Path and Filename>

CAUSE

This error occurs when you run Setup from a compressed setup image that includes a file without a 3-character file extension. The 1.44-MB Disks and Compressed Network or CD Setup options in the Setup Wizard both create compressed setup files.

RESOLUTION

Make sure all file names you include with your custom application have a 3-character extension if you plan to create setup images using the 1.44-MB Disks or Compressed Network or CD Setup options on the "Where do you want the Setup Wizard to copy the files" screen of the Setup Wizard.

Note that if you click the Network or CD Setup option, the setup files are not compressed, and the 3-character extensions are not required.

MORE INFORMATION

The Microsoft Office 97 Developer Edition Tools Help topic "Avoiding or Solving the Most Common Problems Encountered When Using the Setup Wizard states:

   If you create disk images for your application in compressed format (you
   select 1.44-MD Disks or Compressed Network or CD Setup on the Specify
   Disk Image Options page in the Setup Wizard), you must either use full
   three-letter filename extensions (for example, MyApp.mdb) or use no
   extension (for example, Readme) for any files you specify for your
   application."

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Use Notepad or another text editor to create a text file called Readme. The file can contain any text.

2. Start the Microsoft ODE Tools Setup Wizard.

3. On the opening screen of the Setup Wizard, click "Create a new set of setup options for my application's custom Setup program."

4. On the "Add the Files" screen of the Setup Wizard, click the Add button, and then add the Readme file you created in step 1. Click to select the "Set as Application's Main File" check box, and then click Next.

5. On the "Add the Shortcuts" screen of the Setup Wizard, click the Add button. Type TestFilename in the Description box, and then click Next.

6. Click Next until you see the "Where do you want the Setup Wizard to copy the files" screen of the Setup Wizard. Click 1.44-MB Disks and select a folder where you want to store the disk images. Click Finish.

7. When prompted if you want to save the current Setup template, click No. The Setup Wizard creates the setup image.

8. After the Setup Wizard creates the 1.44-MB Disk images, run Setup.exe from the Disk1 folder on your hard drive. Note that you receive the following error message before Setup is finished:

         Setup could not open the file:
         <Pathname>\README
   

   Click Abort to quit Setup before it is finished.

REFERENCES

For more information about how to prevent common mistakes using the Setup Wizard, search the Help Index for "avoiding problems in Setup Wizard."