VB6 application and prompt for CD-Rom

[Paul-NY]

Hi
I have a VB 6.0 application with Access that is installed on Windows XP machines. We've upgraded this application which requires a few new 'system files' (.dll, etc.) to run it. I have an install package that when installed on other machines, successfully installs the correct files and the application runs OK. However, for one specific PC, when the user opens one of the records in the form in the application for which the new dlls are needed, the user receives a prompt to insert a CD-Rom in the CD drive (screenshot attached below). No others PCs exhibit this behavior.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Paul

[Doogle]

The 'obvious' answer is that your application is attempting to 'do something' with the contents of the record selected and in order to 'do it' a component, that is not present on the machine in question, is required.

Is there anything 'special' about the contents of the selected record ?

[Paul-NY]

There are special files that are needed for the specific record. My issue is that it it only this specific PC that is having the problem. All others where I have used the same install file with do not have a problem.

I am wondering if any others have come across this prompt for a CD-rom when using VB 6.0 applications and know what specific support file (.dll, etc.) needs to be installed to resolve the problem.

Paul

[dilettante]

It appears to me that your program is trying to use some component that is marked as "advertised" in the registry as part of some partially-installed application. Office is notorious for this sort of thing, either bundled in a "trial/instant update to full" install or or regular install with some parts left uninstalled until first use.

A fix used to be linked from How do I uninstall Office 2003, Office 2007 or Office 2010 suites if I cannot uninstall it from Control Panel? but the cure was worse than the disease so the "fix" was recalled.

You need to go to that machine and either (1.) allow it to complete the installation of Office (or whatever the problem application is) or else (2.) go into Add/Remove programs and remove the partially installed application that has a pending advertised install. Option (1.) is the recommended course of action, but may cost money.


You might also try a Web search for windows installer cleanup utility hoping that (1.) somebody has a copy you can still download, and (2.) it doesn't screw the computer up even worse.