How to run Office 2000 from a network server (302087)

SUMMARY

The most common method for deploying Microsoft Office 2000 to a large number of computers is to create a central copy of Office on a network server. Then you can install Office on the computers over the network.

This article contains basic information for creating an Office administrative installation from which you can install Office onto network client computers.

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Create the Administrative Installation

The first step in deploying Office over a network is to create the administrative installation. To do this, you need at least 550 MB of free disk space on a central server, and you need write access to the server. After you are sure that these two requirements are met, follow these steps.

NOTE: You can perform these steps while you are logged on to the server or from a network client that has a connection with the server.

To install from connection:

1. Insert the Office CD-ROM, and cancel any AutoRun activity that may occur. (Most applications that are available on CD-ROM have an AutoRun feature. When the CD-ROM is inserted into the CD-ROM drive, AutoRun initializes the startup and splash screens for the program's installation. Cancel out of this, if it occurs).
2. Click Start and then click Run. In the Open box, type the following, and then click Office 2000 Developer:

   path\Setup.exe /a

   NOTE: Path is the path to your CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive that contains the Office CD-ROM.
3. In the Customer Information dialog box, type the CD key from the back of the Office CD-ROM case.
4. Type the name of your corporation in the Company box. This is the name that will appear in the Office program splash screens that are displayed every time you start an Office program. Click Next.
5. In the License and Support Information dialog box, accept the license agreement, and then click Next.
6. In the Installation Location dialog box, accept the default.
   
   NOTE: You can specify a different destination folder for the administrative installation. This location can be a folder on a local hard disk or a folder on another computer. You can specify either a mapped drive or a UNC path to the folder. You can also click Browse to browse for the folder.
7. Click Install Now. The CD-ROM's contents are copied to the install path that you indicated, and the administrative installation is ready for use.

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Run the Office Programs from the Server

When your network client computers are low on disk space, you can install Office so that most of the installation files remain on the server. To do this, perform a Custom installation, in which you change the installation state of the Office programs to "Run from Network".

You will install Office so that the Office programs are run from a network server.

To install Office:

1. Log on to the network client computer.
   
   NOTE: On Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 or Microsoft Windows 2000, you must log on as a member of the Administrators group.
2. Click Start and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type a command line similar to the following, and then click OK:

   Admin path\Setup.exe

   NOTE: Admin path is the path to your administrative installation point for Office 2000.
4. In the Customer Information dialog box, make sure the information is correct, and then click Next. In the Ready to Install dialog box, click Customize.
5. In the Installation Location dialog box, specify a folder on the local hard disk, and then click Next.
   
   NOTE: Do not specify a network drive location, because that is not the procedure for establishing a "Run from Network" configuration.
6. In the Selecting Features dialog box, click the icon next to the Microsoft Office feature, and then select Run all from Network. Click Install Now.
   
   NOTE: The minimum installation files will now be installed on your computer. After installation completes, you may be prompted to restart the computer. If you are prompted to restart, please do so.

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Troubleshooting

When you perform a "Run from Network Server" installation, you should be aware of the following disadvantages:

• When you perform an administrative installation of Microsoft Office, more hard disk space is used on the server. The amount of disk space on the server that is required varies, depending on the Office suite that is being installed. Office 2000 is available in the following five suites:
  • Office 2000 Standard Edition
  • Office 2000 Small Business Edition
  • Office 2000 Professional Edition
  • Office 2000 Premium Edition
  • Office 2000 Developer
• When you perform a "Run from Network" installation, program performance may be slowed by high volumes of network traffic or by heavy use of the network server.
• When you perform a "Run from Network" installation, you must be connected to the network server in order to run any of the Office programs. In addition, if the server is not operating (for example, for maintenance or repairs), you and other users cannot use the Microsoft Office programs.
• If you have a laptop computer, you should not perform a "Run from Network" installation of Office if you plan to use the computer outside of the office. Use the "Run from My Computer" installation instead.

For additional information about deploying and running Office 2000 in a network environment, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: back to the top