Works 4.0 Error: "TaskWizard Cannot Continue" (142969)

SYMPTOMS

When you run a TaskWizard, you receive an error message, or the wizard starts, fails, and then delivers an error message.

The Works TaskWizard may fail to run because of a number of configuration errors on your computer, such as Works being installed to the root folder, damaged OLE files, missing Vbrun300.dll, and others.

Initial Error Message

You receive the following error message when you click Yes, Run The Taskwizard:

Microsoft Works Taskwizard. The TaskWizard cannot continue. Run Works Setup and then run the TaskWizard again.

NOTE: With this symptom, the Newsletter Wizard is one of the few Wizards that does not run. The Address Book and Letter templates work correctly.

Wizard Fails, then Error Message

The TaskWizard starts, but then fails when you click Create Document. You receive the following error message:

Microsoft Works TaskWizard. The TaskWizard cannot continue. Close other applications, and then try again, or run Setup and reinstall the TaskWizard files.

NOTE: With this symptom, the Newsletter Wizard runs correctly.

RESOLUTION

Use the appropriate resolution below for your TaskWizard symptoms.

Task Wizard Doesn't Start

If the TaskWizard does not start, Works is probably installed to the root directory (folder) of your hard drive. For example, Works is in C:\ instead of C:\Msworks. In this case, remove and reinstall Works.

Removing and Reinstalling Works to the Correct Folder

Make sure Works is not running.
Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
On the Install/Uninstall tab, click Microsoft Works 4.0, and then click Add/Remove.
On the list of installation maintenance options, click Remove All.
Click Yes, and then for the shared components, click Remove All.
Click Restart Windows.
When Windows restarts, the Control Panel should be open. If it is not, open the Control Panel again.
Double-click Add/Remove.
On the Install/Uninstall tab, click Install.
Follow the Setup prompts.
When you get to the screen that shows where Works is being installed, make sure the Folder: line does not show the root folder of a drive.

For example, if you want to install Works to a Folder called Msworks on your D:\ drive, the Folder line should read:
D:\Msworks
not,
D:\
If the folder is incorrect, click Change Folder, and specify a new folder.

Task Wizard Starts and Fails

If the TaskWizard starts, but fails when you click Create Document, check the following settings on your computer:

Windows 95 List Separator
Computer Name

Checking Windows 95 List Separator

Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click Regional Settings, and then click the Number tab.
Make sure only a single comma appears in the List Separator box.
Click OK.

Checking Computer Name

Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click Network, and then click the Identification tab.
Make sure the Computer Name box contains only alphanumeric characters. Do not use special symbols, such as the "at" (@) symbol.

MORE INFORMATION

This error message can also occur if any of the following are true:

Vbrun300.dll is missing, damaged, or not located in the \Windows\System folder. For information about how to check Vbrun300.dll, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
141554 Works 95 Error: "Works Cannot Find the TaskWizard Files"

140687 Works Wizard Error: "Cannot Load Custom Control DLL"
Insufficient memory or resources.
OLE functionality is somehow impaired. Try to insert an OLE object to ensure that OLE is functioning. If OLE fails, then there may be some registry or OLE system file problems. For more information about OLE system file problems, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
140687 Works 95 Wizard Error: "Cannot Load Custom Control DLL"