Missing _MSSETUP.EXE Prevents Setup from Completing

Last reviewed: September 10, 1996
Article ID: Q116330
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Access, version 2.0
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0
  • Microsoft Project for Windows, version 4.0
  • Microsoft Office for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.2, 4.3
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, version 4.0
  • Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a
  • Microsoft Works for Windows, version 3.0

SYMPTOMS

If you run the _MSSETUP.EXE file (located in the SETUP subdirectory of one of the applications listed above) prior to running the setup program for that application, the setup program checks for disk space and then generate the error message "<application name> Setup was not completed successfully" when you run Setup.

This same error message occurs if you run the _MSSETUP.EXE file located in the administrative setup directory on the server after you have completed an administrative Setup (SETUP /A) to this directory and then run Setup from this directory.

CAUSE

When you double-click the _MSSETUP.EXE file in File Manager or run the file from the MS-DOS command prompt, the file deletes itself and Setup cannot run properly.

WORKAROUND

To correct this problem, expand the _MSSETUP.EX_ file from Disk 1 of the application's Setup disks by doing the following:

  1. At the MS-DOS command prompt, change to the directory where the SETUP.EXE file for the application is located, for example C:\WINWORD\SETUP or H:\MSOFFICE.

  2. Insert Disk 1 in the appropriate floppy disk drive.

  3. At the MS-DOS command prompt, type the following

          <drive>\decomp <drive>\_mssetup.ex_ _mssetup.exe
    

    where <drive> is the drive in which you inserted the application's Setup Disk 1.

    For example:

          a:\decomp a:\_mssetup.ex_ c:\winword\setup\_mssetup.exe
    

    or for an administrative setup of the application:

          a:\decomp a:\_mssetup.ex_ h:\msoffice\_mssetup.exe
    

This command decompresses the _MSSETUP.EXE file and copies it to the current directory.


KBCategory: kbsetup kberrmsg
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 4.20 4.30 5.00 6.00 6.00a
macppt winppt kbsetup DECOMP.EXE flash



THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: September 10, 1996
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.