Setup Restarts the Computer Without Warning That Other Users Are Logged On (298311)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional

This article was previously published under Q298311

SYMPTOMS

When you install a program that is not Fast User Switching aware, users in other sessions may lose data when the program automatically restarts your computer.

CAUSE

This problem can occur if one or more users are logged on to the computer and are working with unsaved data at the time a program automatically restarts your computer. A program that is not aware of the Fast User Switching feature may be unable to determine that other users are logged on, and because of this, the program installation process may restart your computer even though other users are working with unsaved data.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem:
  1. Switch to each user that is logged on, and then save any unsaved data for each user.
  2. After you save a user's data, log the user off. Repeat this process until only the administrator account that will be used for installing the program is the only user that is logged on.
  3. Install the program. After the program is installed (and no longer needs to restart your computer), you can use the Fast User Switching feature.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

The following programs may restart your computer even though other users are working with unsaved data:
  • Word Perfect Office SP4
  • Joy of Cooking version 1.0
  • Lotus Smart Suite
  • Simply 3D version 3.0
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/3/2001
Keywords:kbinterop kbprb kbsetup KB298311