Error Message: Unable to Locate the BackOffice 4.5 Product Directory (257273)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft BackOffice Server 4.5
This article was previously published under Q257273
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you install the Team Productivity Update (TPU) for BackOffice Server 4.5, you may receive the following error message:
TPUSetup

Unable to locate the BackOffice 4.5 product directory.

Please review any documentation accompanying your setup for more information on why setup may not be working properly. You might also try closing any open applications and run setup again.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if the BackOffice Server Setup files are removed, or if the BackOffice Program Directory value is missing from the registry. In either case, the BackOfficeProgramDir value is missing.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this issue, use the appropriate method:

The BackOffice Server Setup Files Were Removed

  1. Insert the BackOffice Server 4.5 CD-ROM number 1, and then start BackOffice Setup.
  2. When you are prompted to choose an installation type, choose Custom installation.
  3. When the Component Selection screen appears, select only the BackOffice Suite Components.
  4. After the BackOffice Suite Components are reinstalled, TPU Setup will proceed past the error message listed earlier in this article.

The BackOffice Server Setup Files Were Not Removed

  1. Use Regedt32.exe to view the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\BackOffice

  2. Click Add Value on the Edit menu.
  3. For the String Name, enter BackOfficeProgramDir.
  4. Set the Data Type to Reg_SZ, and then click OK.
  5. For the String Value, enter the path of the BackOffice Program folder, and then click OK. Note that by default, this is the drive:\Program Files\Microsoft BackOffice folder, where drive is the drive where the BackOffice Suite Components are installed.
  6. With this value in place, TPU Setup will proceed past the error message listed earlier in this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about removing and reinstalling the BackOffice Server Suite Components, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

245594 How to Reinstall BackOffice 4.5 Suite Components

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/6/2002
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb kbsetup KB257273
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.