Erroneous Preparing to Install Messages

  • Thread starter Thread starter l anderson
  • Start date Start date
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l anderson

My XP system had been working fine for seveal weeks, but
now when I re-boot I get a message "Preparing to Install
Windows...". If I cancel out, the system finishes booting
just fine. Then when I try to start an Office Product
(like Word or Excel) a message comes up about
reinstalling Windows Professional XP with Front Page.
Again, if I cancel out of the install boxes, things go
ahead and work OK.
Something has mangled up my registry I guess. Anyone
know how to get around this?
 
My XP system had been working fine for seveal weeks, but
now when I re-boot I get a message "Preparing to Install
Windows...". If I cancel out, the system finishes booting
just fine. Then when I try to start an Office Product
(like Word or Excel) a message comes up about
reinstalling Windows Professional XP with Front Page.
Again, if I cancel out of the install boxes, things go
ahead and work OK.
Something has mangled up my registry I guess. Anyone
know how to get around this?
Click to expand...

Windows XP and Office XP are two different software packages. Check the
messages carefully. If they're calling for the Office w/Front Page CD,
insert it in the appropriate drive.
 
-----Original Message-----


Windows XP and Office XP are two different software packages. Check the
messages carefully. If they're calling for the Office w/Front Page CD,
insert it in the appropriate drive.

--
Sharon F
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
.
Thanks Sharon. I know that I'm dealing with 2 different
Click to expand...
packages, but I was hoping not to have to re-install
anything for fear of making a bad (but usable) situation
worse.... They were both up and working just fine for
several weeks until something hit the registry a few days
ago. (I'm guessing it's a registry problem anyway).
This system is wanting to install software that already
exists.
 
Thanks Sharon. I know that I'm dealing with 2 different
packages, but I was hoping not to have to re-install
anything for fear of making a bad (but usable) situation
worse.... They were both up and working just fine for
several weeks until something hit the registry a few days
ago. (I'm guessing it's a registry problem anyway).
This system is wanting to install software that already
exists.
Click to expand...

It doesn't happen often but it's not entirely from left field that Office
XP will call for the CD. It does some self-checking whenever an Office
program is launched. If the files are available locally, it will not prompt
you. The repairs will occur behind the scenes. You'll find traces of these
automatic repairs in *.log files located in the temp folders and in
messages found in Event Viewer.

If the files are not available locally, Office will ask for the CD. The CD
may also be called for when a new user account is created and that person
then logs on. Some registry entries and personal Office folders are
established for that user, hence the call for the CD.

Your original post seemed to mix the terms of Windows XP and Office XP
(easy to do since the names are so very similar) and I'm not understanding
clearly about the startup message you're seeing. It's not normal for
Windows to call for the CD unless there was another installation started
and then aborted. I have seen it come up after a change in the system
configuration but this is rare and usually happens immediately after a
hardware or software install. Since your post hinted at no changes being
made, I cautioned earlier to read the screens carefully.
 
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