DOCUMENT:Q325100 06-AUG-2002 [homegame] TITLE :Games: Error Message Received When You Try to Install a Game PRODUCT :Microsoft Home Games PROD/VER::1.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbimu ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Dungeon Siege, version 1.0 - Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 - Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Professional Edition - Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Black Knight - Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Vengeance - Microsoft Train Simulator, version 1.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry SYMPTOMS ======== When you try to install one of the games that is listed at the beginning of this article, you may receive an error message similar to one or more of the following, where is the name of the game that you are trying to install: Setup encountered an error while reading the file . Make sure that the disc is properly inserted in the CD-ROM drive, and then click Retry. -or- Setup encountered a disk error while writing to the file . Make sure your hard disk is not full, and that the file is not in use. -or- Setup cannot continue because your hard disk is full or write-protected. Close any applications, delete unnecessary files from this drive, and then try again. RESOLUTION ========== To troubleshoot and resolve this problem, use the following methods in the order in which they are presented. NOTE: Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps. Method 1: Clean the Disc ------------------------ Clean the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. To do this, use a disc cleaning kit, or gently wipe the silver side of the disc with a soft, lint-free cotton cloth. Do not use paper cloth which can scratch the plastic and leave streaks. When you clean the disc, wipe from the center of the disc outward. Do not use a circular motion. If the issue continues to occur, clean the disc with a damp cloth or a commercial CD or DVD cleaning solution. Dry the disc thoroughly before you insert it into the drive. Method 2: Install from a Different CD-ROM Drive or DVD-ROM Drive ---------------------------------------------------------------- Try to install the game from a different CD-ROM or DVD drive on the same computer or a different computer. If the installation is successful in this test, the problem may be that the original CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive is not properly reading the disc. To resolve this problem, contact your computer manufacturer or your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive manufacturer. Method 3: Run Scandisk and Defrag --------------------------------- 1. Restart your computer by using a Windows Startup disk. 2. At the command prompt, type "scandisk /surface" (without the quotation marks), and then press ENTER. The process starts automatically. 3. When Scandisk is complete, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter. 4. Click the drive on which you want to install the game, and then click Defragment. The process starts automatically. Method 4: Rebuild the Virtual Memory File ----------------------------------------- 1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2. Double-click System, click the Performance tab, and then click Virtual Memory. 3. Click "Let me specify my own virtual memory settings", and then specify the virtual memory file location and size. 4. Click OK, and then click OK. Method 5: Clear the Temporary Files ----------------------------------- 1. Start Windows Explorer. 2. Locate and open the C:\Windows\Temp folder. 3. On the Edit menu, click Select All, and then press DELETE. 4. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes. 5. Close Windows Explorer. Method 6: Install the Game on a Network Computer ------------------------------------------------ WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. 1. Install the game on a network computer, which will be referred to in this article as "computer B." 2. On computer B, turn on sharing for the folder. 3. On computer B, click Start, and then click Run. 4. In the Open box, type "regedit" (without the quotation marks), and then click OK. 5. In Registry Editor, locate and click the following subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\MicrosoftGames\ 6. On the File menu, click Export. 7. In the "File name" box, type: "game.reg" (without the quotation marks) 8. In the "Save in" box, locate and open the following folder: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\ 9. Click Save. 10. Connect the computer that you originally used to install the game, "computer A," to computer B by means of your home network. 11. On computer B, copy the folder to the following folder on computer A: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games 12. On computer A, locate the following file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\\game.reg 13. Double-click game.reg, and then when you are prompted to confirm the registry setting, click OK. 14. Right-click a blank space on the desktop, point to New, and then click Shortcut. 15. Use the Browse button to locate and select the game program. 16. Click OK, and then click Next. 17. Click Finish to complete the installation process. The game is now installed on computer A. Method 7: Run XCopy to Check the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive -------------------------------------------------------- 1. Click Start, and then click Run. 2. In the Open box, type "cmd" (without the quotation marks), and then click OK. 3. Type the following, and then press ENTER, where is the letter of your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive: "xcopy :\*.* /s > c:\test1" (without the quotation marks) If the XCopy process is not successful, your disc is damaged, so your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive cannot read it. Method 8: Exchange or Return Game --------------------------------- If methods 1 through 7 do not resolve this problem, contact your software vendor to exchange or return the product. REFERENCES ========== For additional information about how to troubleshoot CD-ROM or DVD drive issues, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q218617 How to Troubleshoot CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Read Issues Q126380 Troubleshooting CD-ROM Problems in Windows 2000 and Windows NT Q314096 How to Troubleshoot CD-ROM Drive Problems in Windows XP Additional query words: msgame ====================================================================== Keywords : kbimu Technology : kbHomeProdSearch kbGamesSearch kbFlightSimSearch _IK kbDungeonSiege kbTrainSim kbFlightSim2002 kbFlightSim2002Pro kbSimSearch Version : :1.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.