How do I install MS Office 97 on a computer running Windows XP?

[Tim]

I have a new computer that is running Windows XP. I own office 97, and am
quite happy with it for my needs. When I go to install it, I get a message
that tells me the install file is not a System 32 file. Can Office 97 run
with Windows XP and if so, how?

 

[garfield-n-odie]

Office 97 will run under Windows XP. It would help if you quoted
the error message exactly as you see it on your screen, because
we can't see your screen from here. As a guess, see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767 "Error message when you
install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program".

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

Office 97 will run under Windows XP. It would help if you quoted
the error message exactly as you see it on your screen, because
we can't see your screen from here. As a guess, see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767 "Error message when you
install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program".

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

Office 97 will run under Windows XP. It would help if you quoted
the error message exactly as you see it on your screen, because
we can't see your screen from here. As a guess, see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767 "Error message when you
install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program".

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

Office 97 will run under Windows XP. It would help if you quoted
the error message exactly as you see it on your screen, because
we can't see your screen from here. As a guess, see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767 "Error message when you
install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program".

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

Office 97 will run under Windows XP. It would help if you quoted
the error message exactly as you see it on your screen, because
we can't see your screen from here. As a guess, see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767 "Error message when you
install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program".

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

Office 97 will run under Windows XP. It would help if you quoted
the error message exactly as you see it on your screen, because
we can't see your screen from here. As a guess, see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767 "Error message when you
install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program".

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

Office 97 will run under Windows XP. It would help if you quoted
the error message exactly as you see it on your screen, because
we can't see your screen from here. As a guess, see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767 "Error message when you
install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program".

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

Office 97 will run under Windows XP. It would help if you quoted
the error message exactly as you see it on your screen, because
we can't see your screen from here. As a guess, see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767 "Error message when you
install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program".

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

Office 97 will run under Windows XP. It would help if you quoted
the error message exactly as you see it on your screen, because
we can't see your screen from here. As a guess, see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324767 "Error message when you
install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program".

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

 

[David R. Norton MVP]

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

Some additional information:
1. isn't possible if XP comes with SP2 pre-installed as most newer versions
do. Since the OP mentioned a new computer it's likely SP2 isn't removable.

2. won't allow installation of Office 97 upgrades, specifically SR2 won't
install.

3. as stated, doesn't always work.

I know the OP really doesn't want to hear this, but going to a newer version
of Office is probably the best fix. Like the OP, I like Office 97 very much
but Office XP has no problems with SP2 and can be had for discount prices
from various sources since it's been replaced with Office 2003, that's one
possible choice, OpenOffice.org is another and it's free.

 

[David R. Norton MVP]

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

Some additional information:
1. isn't possible if XP comes with SP2 pre-installed as most newer versions
do. Since the OP mentioned a new computer it's likely SP2 isn't removable.

2. won't allow installation of Office 97 upgrades, specifically SR2 won't
install.

3. as stated, doesn't always work.

I know the OP really doesn't want to hear this, but going to a newer version
of Office is probably the best fix. Like the OP, I like Office 97 very much
but Office XP has no problems with SP2 and can be had for discount prices
from various sources since it's been replaced with Office 2003, that's one
possible choice, OpenOffice.org is another and it's free.

 

[David R. Norton MVP]

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

Some additional information:
1. isn't possible if XP comes with SP2 pre-installed as most newer versions
do. Since the OP mentioned a new computer it's likely SP2 isn't removable.

2. won't allow installation of Office 97 upgrades, specifically SR2 won't
install.

3. as stated, doesn't always work.

I know the OP really doesn't want to hear this, but going to a newer version
of Office is probably the best fix. Like the OP, I like Office 97 very much
but Office XP has no problems with SP2 and can be had for discount prices
from various sources since it's been replaced with Office 2003, that's one
possible choice, OpenOffice.org is another and it's free.

 

[David R. Norton MVP]

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

Some additional information:
1. isn't possible if XP comes with SP2 pre-installed as most newer versions
do. Since the OP mentioned a new computer it's likely SP2 isn't removable.

2. won't allow installation of Office 97 upgrades, specifically SR2 won't
install.

3. as stated, doesn't always work.

I know the OP really doesn't want to hear this, but going to a newer version
of Office is probably the best fix. Like the OP, I like Office 97 very much
but Office XP has no problems with SP2 and can be had for discount prices
from various sources since it's been replaced with Office 2003, that's one
possible choice, OpenOffice.org is another and it's free.

 

[David R. Norton MVP]

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

Some additional information:
1. isn't possible if XP comes with SP2 pre-installed as most newer versions
do. Since the OP mentioned a new computer it's likely SP2 isn't removable.

2. won't allow installation of Office 97 upgrades, specifically SR2 won't
install.

3. as stated, doesn't always work.

I know the OP really doesn't want to hear this, but going to a newer version
of Office is probably the best fix. Like the OP, I like Office 97 very much
but Office XP has no problems with SP2 and can be had for discount prices
from various sources since it's been replaced with Office 2003, that's one
possible choice, OpenOffice.org is another and it's free.

 

[David R. Norton MVP]

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

Some additional information:
1. isn't possible if XP comes with SP2 pre-installed as most newer versions
do. Since the OP mentioned a new computer it's likely SP2 isn't removable.

2. won't allow installation of Office 97 upgrades, specifically SR2 won't
install.

3. as stated, doesn't always work.

I know the OP really doesn't want to hear this, but going to a newer version
of Office is probably the best fix. Like the OP, I like Office 97 very much
but Office XP has no problems with SP2 and can be had for discount prices
from various sources since it's been replaced with Office 2003, that's one
possible choice, OpenOffice.org is another and it's free.

 

[David R. Norton MVP]

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

Some additional information:
1. isn't possible if XP comes with SP2 pre-installed as most newer versions
do. Since the OP mentioned a new computer it's likely SP2 isn't removable.

2. won't allow installation of Office 97 upgrades, specifically SR2 won't
install.

3. as stated, doesn't always work.

I know the OP really doesn't want to hear this, but going to a newer version
of Office is probably the best fix. Like the OP, I like Office 97 very much
but Office XP has no problems with SP2 and can be had for discount prices
from various sources since it's been replaced with Office 2003, that's one
possible choice, OpenOffice.org is another and it's free.

 

[David R. Norton MVP]

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

Some additional information:
1. isn't possible if XP comes with SP2 pre-installed as most newer versions
do. Since the OP mentioned a new computer it's likely SP2 isn't removable.

2. won't allow installation of Office 97 upgrades, specifically SR2 won't
install.

3. as stated, doesn't always work.

I know the OP really doesn't want to hear this, but going to a newer version
of Office is probably the best fix. Like the OP, I like Office 97 very much
but Office XP has no problems with SP2 and can be had for discount prices
from various sources since it's been replaced with Office 2003, that's one
possible choice, OpenOffice.org is another and it's free.

 

[David R. Norton MVP]

Some users report problems installing Office 97 when Service Pack
2 for Windows XP is installed. If you encounter problems
installing Office 97, you might try one of three workarounds:
1. You could uninstall WinXP SP2, install Office 97 and
related service packs, and reinstall WinXP SP2.
2. You could leave WinXP SP2 intact, and do a custom
installation of Office 97 in which you set the Web Authoring
Tools (HTML) to "not available" in the setup options.
3. Start regedit. Navigate to the
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi­crosoft\Window
sNT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" key. Modify the
two .ocx files whose names start with HTMLm from .ocx to .old .
Exit and reboot. Note that this third method is not endorsed by
Microsoft, and works for some people but not for others.

Some additional information:
1. isn't possible if XP comes with SP2 pre-installed as most newer versions
do. Since the OP mentioned a new computer it's likely SP2 isn't removable.

2. won't allow installation of Office 97 upgrades, specifically SR2 won't
install.

3. as stated, doesn't always work.

I know the OP really doesn't want to hear this, but going to a newer version
of Office is probably the best fix. Like the OP, I like Office 97 very much
but Office XP has no problems with SP2 and can be had for discount prices
from various sources since it's been replaced with Office 2003, that's one
possible choice, OpenOffice.org is another and it's free.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

Maybe *you* can't get SR2 to install, but not everyone has this
problem.