OFF: Extract Command Copies Cabinet File Structure

ID: Q139024

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Office 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Office for Windows 95, version 7.0
  • Microsoft Access 97
  • Microsoft Access 7.0
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 97 For Windows
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 95, version 7.0
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95, version 7.0

SUMMARY

When you extract a file from a cabinet file on a source disk, the cabinet's directory structure may be appended to the destination path where the file is copied. This may place the file in an unexpected location on your hard disk.


WORKAROUND

To copy a file from a source disk without appending the cabinet's file directory structure do the following:

  1. From the MS-DOS command prompt, switch to the root directory by typing the following and pressing ENTER:
    CD C:


  2. Insert Disk 1 for the product, and type the following and press ENTER:
    Copy a:\extract.exe


  3. Insert the disk that has the file you want to extract and use the following syntax at the command prompt and press ENTER:
    Extract A:\<cabinet filename> /c C:\<path name>\<filename>


The following is an example of the syntax used in the steps listed above:
Extract A:\msoff2.cab /c C:\windows\system\mso95.dll


MORE INFORMATION

If you extract the file Mso95.dll to C:\Windows\System using the either of the following commands command

Extract A:\msoff2.cab /L C:\Windows\System Mso95.dll

-or-

Extract a:\msoff2.cab Mso95.dll
The file will be copied to C:\Windows\System\OS\System. This behavior occurs because in this example, most DLL files are stored in the cabinet file under the directory structure of OS\System. Files may be appended from append from 0 to 3 directories deep depending on cabinet file structure.

For additional information, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q120006 How to Copy Files from Cabinets on DMF-Formatted Disks.

Q135657 Microsoft Office 7.0 Disks 1-8 .CAB Contents (DMF)

Q135658 Microsoft Office 7.0 Disks 9-16 .CAB Contents (DMF)

Q135659 Microsoft Office 7.0 Disks 17-24 .CAB Contents (DMF)

Additional query words: 8.00 97

Keywords : offwin offwinsetup
Version : WINDOWS:7.0 97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :


Last Reviewed: June 8, 1999
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