You may receive the "You must close <program_name> before continuing" error message when you try to install Works Suite 2003 (331086)

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, use the method that is appropriate for your operating system. If this does not resolve the issue, see the "Remove the background program, install Works Suite, and then reinstall the background program" section.

Microsoft Windows 98

Part 1: Clean start

1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
2. Click Selective Startup, and then click to clear all the selected items.
3. Click Advanced, and then click Enable Startup Menu.
4. Click OK two times, and then click Yes to restart your computer.

Run the Works Suite Setup program again. If the issue still occurs, go to Part 2.

Part 2: Selective startup

1. Restart your computer, and then press F8 to display the Windows 98 Startup menu.
2. Press the ARROW keys to select #4 - Step by Step Confirmation.
3. You receive the following options:
   PROCESS SYSTEM REGISTRY- Press Y.
   CREATE A STARTUP LOG FILE (Bootlog.txt) - Press Y.
   PROCESS YOUR STARTUP DEVICE DRIVERS (Config.sys)- Press N.
   Device=C:\windows\himem.sys - Press Y.
   Device=C:\windows\dblbuff.sys - Press Y.
   DeviceHIGH=C:\windows\IFSHLP.sys - Press Y.
   PROCESS YOUR STARTUP COMMAND FILE (AUTOEXEC.Bat) - Press N.
   LOAD THE WINDOWS GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE - Press Y.
   LOAD ALL WINDOWS DRIVERS - Press Y.
   Vnetsup.vxd - Press Y
   Ndis.vxd - Press Y.
   Ndis2sup.vxd - Press Y.
   Javasup.vxd - Press Y.
   C:\windows\system\vrtwd.386 - Press Y.
   C:\windows\system\vfixd.vxd - Press Y.
   Vnetbios.vxd - Press Y.
   Vredir.vxd - Press Y.
   Dfs.vxd - Press Y.
   
   Important A file name or a path may appear that is associated with the background program that was referenced in the Works Setup error message. For example, if the program is a Symantec program, you may see a path that is similar to the following:

   C:\progra~1\symantec\symevnt.386

   Warning This workaround may make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.
   
   Press N to turn off this item.
   Vserver.vxd - Press Y.
   Msmouse.vxd - Press Y.
4. When the startup is complete, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to start the Task Manager. Make sure that no antivirus programs or utility programs are running. For example, Norton AntiVirus is listed in the Task Manager as Navapw32.exe if it is running. End this task if it appears in the Task Manager.
5. Run the Works Suite Setup program again, and then follow these steps to restart your computer:
   1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
   2. Click Normal Startup, and then click OK.
   3. Close all the windows that are open, and then restart your computer.

Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me)

1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
2. Click Selective Startup, and then click Load Startup Group Items.
3. Click the Static VxDs tab.
4. Warning This workaround may make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.Click to clear any Norton, Symantec, or other Virtual Device Driver (VxD) check boxes that are associated with the program that was referenced in the Works Setup error message.
5. Click the Startup tab, click *StateMGR, and then click OK.
6. Restart your computer, run the Works Suite Setup program again, and then follow these steps to restart your computer:
   1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
   2. Click Normal Startup, and then click OK.
   3. Close all the windows that are open, and then restart your computer.

Microsoft Windows XP

1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. On the General tab, click Selective Startup, and then click to clear the following check boxes:
   • Process System.ini File
   • Process WIn.ini File
   • Load Startup Items
   Note You cannot clear the Use Original Boot.ini check box.
3. On the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
4. Click OK, and then click Restart to restart your computer.
5. Install Microsoft Works Suite.
6. Return to a normal startup. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
   2. On the General tab, click Normal Startup - load all device drivers and services, and then click OK.
   3. Restart the computer.

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Remove the background program, install Works Suite, and then reinstall the background program

Warning This workaround may make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.
If you continue to experience the symptoms that are described in the "Symptoms" section after you perform the resolution for your operating system, follow these steps.

1. Use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel to remove the program that is interfering with the Setup program for Works Suite. For additional information about how to do this, click Start, click Help, and then search for remove programs.
2. Restart your computer, run the Works Suite Setup program again, and then restart your computer.
3. Reinstall the program that you removed in step 1.