Microsoft Press "Step by Step" Setup Copies Zero-Byte Files (150773)
The information in this article applies to:
- MSPRESS Microsoft Excel for Windows 95 Step by Step ISBN 1-55615-825-4
- MSPRESS Microsoft Word for Windows 95 Step by Step ISBN 1-55615-828-9
- MSPRESS Microsoft Visual FoxPro 3 for Windows Step by Step ISBN 1-55615-846-7
- MSPRESS Microsoft Access for Windows 95 Step by Step ISBN 1-55615-876-9
- MSPRESS Microsoft Access 2 for Windows Step by Step ISBN 1-55615-593-X
- MSPRESS Microsoft Access/Visual Basic Step by Step ISBN 1-55615-890-4
- MSPRESS Microsoft Excel/Visual Basic Step by Step ISBN 1-55615-830-0
- MSPRESS Microsoft Project for Windows 95 Step by Step ISBN 1-55615-866-1
This article was previously published under Q150773 SUMMARY
Some rare configurations of Windows 95 will cause the Step by Step Setup
program to fail when copying files to the hard disk. The result is that
the installed files will be present, but some will have a file size of
zero bytes. To correct this problem, rerun Setup in Microsoft Windows 95
Safe Mode. (See below for detailed steps.)
SYMPTOMS
This setup issue affects several Microsoft Press Step by Step books for
Windows 95-based applications. The following list contains common
symptoms of zero-byte practice files:
Common Symptoms- Error, "Unrecognized database format C:\Access SBS Practice
Sweet\Lil's.mdb." ("Microsoft Access for Windows 95 Step by Step")
- Error, "Not a valid table." ("Microsoft Visual FoxPro 3 Step by
Step")
- Blank document opened ("Microsoft Word for Windows 95 Step by Step")
To determine whether the Practice files were copied as zero-byte files:
- Follow the step in the first lesson that describes how to open a
practice file (usually one of the first two lessons). However, do not
perform the final step that actually opens the practice file.
- When you get to the Open dialog box and you see the practice files,
click the Details button on the top row (the fifth button along the top
row).
Once the Details button is clicked, you will see the file size for each
practice file. If any files have a file length of 0 KB (zero
kilobytes), the Setup program unsuccessfully installed the practice
files.
WORKAROUNDTo Run Setup in Windows 95 Safe Mode- Close all Windows 95 programs that are currently on the task bar
(next to the Start button).
- Click Start, and then click Shut Down. In the Shut Down Windows
dialog box, select Restart Windows and click OK.
- Press the F5 function key on the keyboard four or five times when
the computer beeps during the restart.
Pressing F5 while the computer is starting up will cause Windows 95 to
run in Safe Mode. This mode avoids running any extra software that might
conflict or cause system problems. Safe Mode also uses the 640x480
screen resolution with 16 colors, so your screen might look larger and
the background colors might be different while running in Safe Mode.
- A message will display stating that Windows 95 is running in Safe
Mode. Click OK to remove this message.
- Run the Setup program from the Step by Step Practice Files disk.
(See the "Getting Ready" section of your Step by Step book for specific
instructions.)
NOTE: Because this is the second installation, Setup will ask whether
you want to overwrite the previous version of the files being installed.
Click Yes To All to overwrite the original (zero-byte) files.
- When Setup has been completed successfully, click Start, and then
click Shut Down. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, select Restart
Windows and click OK.
The computer will start in Normal mode after performing step 7. Now that
the Setup program has been run without potential system interference,
the Practice Files will be correctly installed and will be accessible as
described in the Step by Step book.
Running Setup in Safe Mode will not disturb any prior practice file
work. Because the practice files are overwritten, there is no need to
uninstall the previous installation.
Microsoft Press is committed to providing informative and accurate
books.
Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 1/16/2001 |
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Keywords: | kbdocerr kbdocfix kbinfo KB150773 |
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