Installation problem

[S Wilson]

Just did a new installation of Donor Manager. When I try to run it I get
"Invalid path or filename".
Any suggestions!

[jmuehleisen]

Steve,

I'm assuming that this error message is coming from Windows, rather than from the Donor Manager (correct me if I'm wrong).

Somewhere, the "properties" of the shortcut (if you are loading from a desktop shortcut) or the menu item (if you are starting from the "Start | Programs | Donor Manager" menu) have gotten messed up.

Assuming that the program is installed in c:\donor5, you will want to have the following properties for the menu item or the shortcut:

Target: c:\donor5\donor.exe
Start in: c:\donor5

Now, if the program was installed in c:\Program Files\donor.exe, then you'll need to make the appropriate adjustments, like this, for example.

Target: c:\Progam Files\Donor Manager\donor.exe
Start in: c:\Program Files\Donor Manager\donor5

Let me know if this helps!

[S Wilson]

That wasn't it, sorry to say.
It shows that error even though the shortcut is correct. Also, it shows the same error even if I click the actual program file (C:\Donor5\Donor.exe). I downloaded the ugrade file and still didn't help.

[jmuehleisen]

Hmmm.

So, it wasn't an XP error. It was apparently an error in the Donor Manager, is that right ?

Let's try this. Since this is a new installation, delete the folder c:\donor5\data.

Then try firing up the program and see if it behaves any better.

This error has me very curious.

[S Wilson]

Um, I don't see a file C:\Donor5\Data!
Could the download be goofy?

[jmuehleisen]

Hmmm.

The sound you hear is me scratching my head.

Since this is a new installation and you have no data you are trying to protect, try this.

In the c:\donor5 folder, delete ALL files except the following:

donor.exe and fox6command.exe

Then, try running donor.exe again and see what happens.

[S Wilson]

Nada.
I deleted everything and re-downloaded the program and re-installed it. Still the same 'ol error message.
Sad thing is it looks like a good program and I'd like to try it!

[jmuehleisen]

Steve,

Let's check a few more things.

First of all, go into c:\windows\system32

You should have 4 files in there that begin with vfp6*.*

Let me know if they are NOT there.

Next, can you tell if the error message is a Donor Manager error message, or an Windows error message? (you may or may not be able to tell).

And, confirm, you are getting this error even when going into c:\donor5\ and double clicking on donor.exe.

And, what is the size (in bytes) of donor.exe.

At this point, I'm just kinda guessing to see if I can figure this problem out. This one is a first for me.

[S Wilson]

Hey John,

All 4 files do appear in Sys 32.
The error box shows a little windows icon next to Program Error.
Donor.exe is 4583kb.
And clicking directly on donor.exe brings the same error.

Ain't this fun?

Steve

[jmuehleisen]

Steve,

I do love a good mystery, yes!

A few more guesses:

Does a reboot of the computer make a difference?

Double click on the fox6command.exe. It should bring up a simple blank window (for you to type commands in). Let me know if you get any error with this. (Just click the X box to close this or type "quit" <Enter>)

Also, go to c:\program files\ and see if there might be a second donor manager installation folder that got installed in there (perhaps in c:\program files\donor5 or c:\program files\donor manager). If so, delete those as well and let's make sure we have just 1 donor manager folder on the computer at this point.

At this point, I'm running out of ideas. But, it will be interesting when we figure this one out.

<still head scratching and thinking ... >

[S Wilson]

John,
Rebooting doesn't help. Tried that right away.
There is but the one Donor manager file.
One observation, you mentioned c:\donor5\data in a post. That folder/file does not exist. Could that be a clue?
Steve

[S Wilson]

Oh, and Foxcommand.exe brings the same error screen.

[jmuehleisen]

Steve,

I am completely baffled here. We have 2 exe programs, neither of which will run. The Donor Manager should build the files it needs "on the fly" and the Fox6command.exe doesn't need anything else to run.

Hmmm.

I have no clue what else to suggest at this point. I'll keep thinking, though, and let you know if I come up with any other ideas.

Sorry.

[S Wilson]

How about this...
I install an older version of the program and then install the update?

[jmuehleisen]

Steve,

Here's another idea you could try. Try moving the Visual FoxPro Runtime support files from the c:\windows\system32 folder to the c:\donor5 folder.

Look in c:\windows\system32 for 4 files that begin with vfp6*.*.

Copy them (leave the originals in system32) to the c:\donor5 folder (or wherever you are running donor.exe from.

See if that makes any difference. I actually doubt that it will, but it's worth a try.