can't run 16-bit windows program

[ChuckG]

We're having a bit of an odd issue.

We have a small Visual Foxpro app (vfp6) that we've written and we are distributing to our mobile users and reps (not in the building).

I've got a CD that I've made for them the installs the VFP6 Runtime on their PC, then loads the app into a directory on their PC.

All of this has worked well here in the office, we've tested it on Win95,98,2K and XP.

I just had someone who's using ME at their home office call in with a problem. When I walk him to the directory on the CD to manually run the Runtime install, he says it comes up with an error of "Can't Run 16-bit windows program"

I've looked through the KB on Microsoft and done some searches here on Tek Tips and havn't found anything to suggest to him yet.

Anyone have any idea's? Unfortuantly, we don't even have a copy of ME here at the office to load so we can test with it.

Thanks in advance.
ChuckG

 

[Mike Lewis]

ChuckG,

Is it the actual Install program that is issuing this error? If so, what program are you using to generate the Install?

In general, apps built with VFP 6.0 should run fine on ME, and even on Win 95.

Mike


Mike Lewis
Edinburgh, Scotland

My Visual Foxpro web site:

http://www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk

My Crystal Reports web site:

http://www.ml-crystal.com

 

[ChuckG]

Mike,

The runtime install is what's giving the error.

I had the same thought when he first called, that's why I had him go to the runtime setup folder and run it directly (the runtime setup package that VFP6 creates) and that's what is giving the error.

ChuckG

 

[DSummZZZ]

There have been issues with ME and FAT32. Especially when it comes to image files embedded within the executable. You may be able to get it to install with any image files excluded.

Also, maybe try copying the CD image to the local drive and running the install from there.


-Dave Summers-

Even more Fox stuff at:

http://www.davesummers.net/foxprolinks.htm

 

[rob444]

As far as I know ME is the problem here.
I installed ME when it succeeded 98 but had it uninstalled within a few days because of the major problems with it.

Rob.

 

[ChuckG]

Rob,

As did I. When Me first came out, I put it on my Thinkpad and the next day wound up flying up to Ohio for work. That night in a hotel room I wound up re-installing 98 lol.

But unfortuantly, I can't tell this rep to re-load his home/office PC's OS, just because this one application won't load, as much as I'd like to.

 

[rob444]

The only thing that could work for a (short??) period is doing a clean install of ME and immediately install the foxpro app.
There is no guarantee that this should work for long for ME has many misterious ways of screwing things up...

Good luck!!!
Rob.

 

[wgcs]

FYI: We encountered the same error on some WinME systems when trying to run an installer that was built using the VFP6 Setup Wizard.

There are two workarounds:
1) Use InstallShield Express (comes with VFP7,8,+, and I think was in Visual Studio 6 for use with VB or VC)
2) Create a shortcut to the setup.exe file, and change the properties for it to run in 16-bit compatible mode. I don't remember what, exactly, the settings are called, or should be changed to, but that is the gist of it.

We opted for #1, which brought its own headaches, but overall, I consider the move worth it: ISE is much more capable, overall, and enabled us to add a registration-key step right into the installation wizard.

(I'd say it's worth buying the "full" ISExpress instead of using the "limited" one that comes with VFP)

- Bill

Get the best answers to your questions -- See FAQ481-4875.