## Setup Error Message: "While Registering OLE Servers..."

Q100836

The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a
- Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0
- Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0
- Microsoft Project for Windows, version 4.0
- Microsoft Office for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.2
- Microsoft Windows operating system, versions 3.1, 3.11
- Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11

## SYMPTOMS

The following error message may occur while you run Setup program for one of the products listed above:

> While registering OLE servers, Setup had a problem with REG.DAT, SHELL.DLL or disk space.

## CAUSE

The following conditions can cause this error:

- Your WINDIR variable setting is invalid or missing.
- Your REG.DAT file is corrupt.
- The setting for FILES and BUFFERS in CONFIG.SYS is incorrect.
- Your WIN.INI file is incorrectly edited.
- Your REG.DAT file is set to READ-ONLY.
- You have a virus protection program running on your computer.
- A .REG file for a component of a Microsoft program is corrupt.

## WORKAROUND

### Workaround 1: Invalid or Missing Windir Variable

WINDIR is an environment variable set by Windows, based on the path in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If the PATH statement in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file includes the Windows program directory without the drive (for example, "\WINDOWS" instead of "C:\WINDOWS"), Windows may set the WINDIR variable incorrectly.
Use the following instructions to check the current WINDIR environment variable:

1. Choose the MS-DOS Prompt from the Main Group.
2. At the command prompt in the MS-DOS Prompt window, type set and then press ENTER. A list of environment variables should appear, including the WINDIR variable (for example, WINDIR=C:\WINDOWS).
   NOTE: This step must be done by shelling to MS-DOS while Windows is running, not by exiting Windows and typing "set" at the MS-DOS command prompt.
3. If the WINDIR variable is missing or if it points to a directory other than your current Windows program directory, use one of the workarounds below to successfully install the Word OLE servers.
   NOTE: You cannot manually set the WINDIR variable by typing "set windir=c:\windows" at the command prompt; Windows must set this variable at startup.

Use one of the following methods to correctly set your WINDIR environment variable:

### Workaround 1: Invalid or Missing Windir Variable

WINDIR is an environment variable set by Windows, based on the path in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If the PATH statement in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file includes the Windows program directory without the drive (for example, "\WINDOWS" instead of "C:\WINDOWS"), Windows may set the WINDIR variable incorrectly.
Use the following instructions to check the current WINDIR environment variable:

1. Choose the MS-DOS Prompt from the Main Group.
2. At the command prompt in the MS-DOS Prompt window, type set and then press ENTER. A list of environment variables should appear, including the WINDIR variable (for example, WINDIR=C:\WINDOWS).

   > NOTE: This step must be done by shelling to MS-DOS while Windows is running, not by exiting Windows and typing "set" at the MS-DOS command prompt.

3. If the WINDIR variable is missing or if it points to a directory other than your current Windows program directory, use one of the workarounds below to successfully install the Word OLE servers.

   > NOTE: You cannot manually set the WINDIR variable by typing "set windir=c:\windows" at the command prompt; Windows must set this variable at startup.

Use one of the following methods to correctly set your WINDIR environment variable:

### Method 1: Temporarily Set Correct WINDIR Variable

> This workaround does not correct the PATH statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file that caused Windows to set the WINDIR variable incorrectly. This workaround temporarily sets the WINDIR variable so you can successfully install the Word OLE servers.
> 1. Quit Windows.
> 2. Do one of the following:
> - At the command prompt, start Windows by typing the following and pressing ENTER:

>   > c:\windows\win.com

>   NOTE: In the above syntax, substitute the path to your Windows program directory for "c:\windows."
> -or-
> - Start Windows by typing the following at the command prompt (press ENTER after each line):

>   > cd\windows win

> 3. Run the Word Setup program.

### Method 2: Permanently Set Correct WINDIR Variable

This workaround changes the PATH statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file so Windows always correctly sets the WINDIR variable.

1. In a text editor, open your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
2. Change the PATH statement so it includes the complete Windows program directory, including the drive letter. For example, if your Windows program directory is "C:\WINDOWS," your PATH statement might appear as follows:

   > PATH C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINWORD;C:\EXCEL

3. Save and close your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
4. Restart your computer.
5. Start Windows and run the Word Setup program.

### Workaround 2: Corrupt REG.DAT File

Use the following instructions to rebuild a corrupt REG.DAT file:

1. From File Manager select REG.DAT, from the File menu select Rename and type REG.OLD to rename the file.
2. From the File menu select Run and type:

   > regedit /u c:\windows\system\setup.reg

   If you are running Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, version 3.11, type:

   > regedit c:\windows\system\setup.reg

3. Choose OK. The REG.DAT file should now be rebuilt.
4. Exit Windows. Restart Windows. Run the Setup program again.

For more information about troubleshooting REG.DAT problems, query on the following words in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

> reg.dat and corrupt and rebuild

### Workaround 3: Incorrect FILES and BUFFERS Settings in CONFIG.SYS

Set FILES=60 in your CONFIG.SYS file unless you have a software application that requires a higher setting. Set BUFFERS=10 in your CONFIG.SYS file if you use SMARTDRV.EXE. Using a high number of buffers with SMARTDRV will decrease efficiency. If you are not using SMARTDRV, set BUFFERS=30. More buffers may improve disk access times but will use more conventional memory. Run the Setup program again.

### Workaround 4: WIN.INI File Incorrectly Edited

Rename your WIN.INI file and the problem no longer occurs.

### Workaround 5: REG.DAT file is set to READ-ONLY

Use File Manager to locate your REG.DAT file. Highlight the file, click Properties on the File menu, then deselect the Read Only attribute.

### Workaround 6: Antivirus Program Running

Disable your virus detection utility before you run Setup. If you do not disable the utility, Setup may conflict with it and not run.

### Workaround 7: A .REG file for a component of a Microsoft program is corrupt

For additional information, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

> Q122964 How to Register Applications in the REG.DAT File

## REFERENCES

Word for Windows "Getting Started," version 2.0, pages 7-11

Additional query words: 2.00a 2.00a-CD 2.00b 2.00c winppt grphflt 6.00a officeinterop acme 3.10 XL5 macppt diskspace WFW WFWG

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Last Reviewed: August 25, 1999 © 2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.