OFFICE: Error "OFF43ART.IDX Cannot Be Read" Running from CD

• Microsoft Office for Windows, version 4.3c-CD

SYMPTOMS

After you have performed a Run From CD installation of Microsoft Office, you receive the following error message when you add clip art to the ClipArt Gallery:

   Sorry, the file d:\clipart\off43art.idx cannot be read. The file may be
   installed incorrectly, someone may be editing this file, or you may be
   having hardware problems

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the Microsoft Office Disk 2 CD is in your CD ROM drive and the ClipArt Gallery tries to build the ARTGALRY.IDX and ARTGALRY.THM files.

There are two different groups of graphics that are built into the ARTGALRY.IDX and ARTGALRY.THM files: the *.PCS files provided with Microsoft PowerPoint, and the *.WMF files that are included with Microsoft Word. The *.WMF files are located on the Microsoft Office Disk 1 CD only, so when the ClipArt Gallery tries to add these files, they are not found on the Disk 2 CD.

Because the *.PCS files are located on both the Disk 1 CD and the Disk 2 CD, there is no problem adding these files.

WORKAROUND

To correct this problem on a one-time basis, do the following:

1. Close the dialog box that contains the error message and exit the ClipArt Gallery.

2. Insert the Disk 1 CD in the CD-ROM drive, and start the ClipArt Gallery again. Choose Yes to add clip art to the ClipArt Gallery.

The disadvantage of using this method is that if you want to insert one of the *.WMF files into a document, you must insert the Disk 1 CD to access the file. If the Disk 1 CD is not in the CD-ROM drive when you insert one of the *.WMF files, you receive an error message telling you that the file cannot be found, and asking if you want to remove the thumbnail for this picture from the ClipArt Gallery.

If you want to use the *.PCS files only, you can remove all of the *.WMF files from the ClipArt Gallery when prompted.

   -or-

1. Run the Microsoft Office Setup program in maintenance mode.

2. Choose the Add/Remove button.

3. From the Options list, choose Shared Applications, then choose the Change Option button.

4. In the Options list, clear the Clip Art check box, and choose OK.

5. When the Setup program is complete, repeat steps 1-3 to install the clip art again.

6. In the Options list, select the Clip Art check box, and choose OK.

7. Continue with Setup to install the clip-art files to your local hard disk drive.

When you use this method, all of the clip-art files are available at all times.

For additional information, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q120836
   TITLE     : Office 4.3 Err Msg: "ClipArt Gallery File Cannot Be Read