Installing updates

[hardy49]

I have been trying to instal Microsoft updates on to my new laptap.However,a box appears saying "The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable.
Click OK to try again or enter an alternate path to a folder containing the installation package "PROPLUS.MSI" in the box below.

I then get a message saying "Updates were unable to be successfully installed.

Office XP Service Pack 3 "

Could somebody please tell me in simple words what I need to do ?

[vehelpfulguy]

Is this a brand new laptop or a laptop that you bought second hand but it is new to you ?

Are you installing Windows updates or Office updates ?

It seems from the message that you are installing updates for Office XP, but just checking.

My guess (and it is only a guess) is that your have bought this PC second hand, and someone (perhaps at work) has been connected to a network.

They installed Office FROM the network, and also the office updates FROM the network (rather than downloading them from the interent.

Now you are trying to install updates and it is trying to find the Office XP master files from the network and cannot find them.

Does any of that sound possible ?

[hardy49]

No this computer was brand spanking new in October.

[vehelpfulguy]

Here is someone from 2004 who was getting the same problem as you

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/ng/microsoft.public .officeupdate/post10077345.asp

I think the answer confirms what I said.

Many people install Office from a CD (perhaps they bought the boxed product from PC world or whatever).

But for people who work in large companies, rather than giving the CD to everyone they put the code on the network and people install it from there, so they never have the CD.

So as I said above, I think the version of Office you have is one that is meant for large companies, not home users (I assume you are home user and do not work for a large company).

My guess is you dont have the Office CD, so it is looking for the code on the network, and cannot find it.

(Office requires the original code, either on a CD or network, before it can install updates. This may be a security check to make sure people are entitled to have the code).

[hardy49]

Many thanks - yes it looks like the same problem.I'll have a look at what they say.
Thanks again

[vehelpfulguy]

If you have the Office CD put that in the drive when you try to install the update. It may then work.

If not, then when you are asked to put an alternate path select the path where the CD is (D: drive or E: drive or whatever).

[hardy49]

Ok - thanks once again.
I have found" Microsoft Office XP Professional with Front Page"in the Add/Remove page in Control Panel.Is it possible to use the "Support Info"there?

[vehelpfulguy]

How did Office get on the laptop?

Did you put it there, or was it there when you bought the laptop?

If you put it there, HOW did you put it there. Do you have the Office CD and use that or what ?

I dont know that the support button will help much, it normally just tells you where to go for support.

[hardy49]

No I did not instal it.
What would happen if I uninstalled the Windows XP now installed on my laptop and installed the Windows XP I have on my desktop.That would stop me getting the messages wouldn't it/Would I lose everything if I did that? Sorry to sound so vague but things like this make me very worried !!!!