Upgrade Installation Fails, Then Setup Doesn't Work

 Last reviewed: March 1, 1995
Article ID: Q92536
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.1

SUMMARY

The Microsoft Windows for Workgroups add-on for Windows 3.1 users does not allow a new installation of Windows for Workgroups; it is an upgrade for Microsoft Windows version 3.1 only.

If the upgrade fails during installation, you may not be able to run SETUP.EXE again. To work around this problem, remove the SETUPSTATE= line from the [BOOT.DESCRIPTION] section of the SYSTEM.INI file.

MORE INFORMATION

During the upgrade process, SETUP.EXE adds the line 

   SETUPSTATE=
to the [BOOT.DESCRIPTION] section of the SYSTEM.INI file. When this line is present, SETUP.EXE does not allow the installation of Windows for Workgroups, and the following error message will be displayed: 

   Windows 3.1 could not be located on your computer. This version of
   Windows for Workgroups requires that Windows 3.1 already be
   installed. You must either install Windows 3.1 on your computer,
   or purchase the complete version of Windows for Workgroups.
To allow Windows for Workgroups to install correctly (provided you have Windows 3.1 on your computer), remove the SETUPSTATE= line.

NOTE: The failed upgrade installation may also leave the following line in the SYSTEM.INI: 

   SHELL=SETUP.EXE
The statement should be SHELL=PROGMAN.EXE. You may need to make this change as well.

KBCategory: kbsetup
KBSubcategory: wfw wfwg
Additional reference words: 3.1 3.10 win.ini reinstall setup set up setting
re-install fail resetup re-setup previous error

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Last reviewed: March 1, 1995
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