"Error 1311: cannot locate source file" error message when you install Office 2003 (818234)


The information in this article applies to:

  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows XP
  • Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003
  • Microsoft Office Excel 2003
  • Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003
  • Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
  • Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003
  • Microsoft Office Publisher 2003
  • Microsoft Office Word 2003
  • Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003
  • Microsoft Office Student and Teachers Edition 2003
  • Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003
  • Microsoft Office Basic Edition 2003
  • Microsoft Office Access 2003

SYMPTOMS

When you install Microsoft Office 2003, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:
Error 1311

Cannot locate source file Cabinetfile.cab

CAUSE

This problem may occur when the following conditions are true:
  • You are installing Microsoft Office 2003 from an installation point that is located on the network and that is accessed by multiple users.
  • The installation source at this network location is contained in cabinet files.
  • Microsoft Office 2003 is being installed on another computer on the network at the same time that you are trying to install Microsoft Office 2003 and the computer is using the same network installation point.
  • The operating system of the other computer is the original released version of Microsoft Windows XP

    Note Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP-1) is not installed.
The other network computer does not release control of the installation files in a timely manner as expected. This prevents your computer from accessing those files.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, use any of the following methods:
  • Create an administrative installation point for Office 2003. Cabinet files are not present in administrative installation points.
  • When you receive the error message, click Retry to make the installation continue correctly.
  • Upgrade the operating systems of any Windows XP client computers on the network to Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1). To do this, a user with the correct permissions must log on to each Windows XP client computer, click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Update.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/27/2006
Keywords:kbnetwork kbDeployment kbsetup kbwindowsinstaller kberrmsg kbprb KB818234 kbAudITPRO
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