Works Suite 2001: Error Message When You Install Word: Another Version of This Product Is Already Installed

When you try to install Retail versions of Microsoft Works Suite, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following: When you try to remove the existing version of the product, you are asked to insert the program CD for that version, which is not available.

Note Word Eraser cannot resolve this problem.

This problem may occur if Works Suite 2001 was pre-installed by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that did not include a program CD for Works Suite 2001. When Works Suite Retail version installs, if the installer keys were modified by the OEM, they may become corrupted instead of being appropriately removed.

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:

1. Install the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility.
   
   For instructions about how to do this, see the following Microsoft Kowledge Base article:
   290301  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301/ ) Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility
2. Click Start, point to Programs, and then click Windows Install Clean Up.
3. On the Installed Products list, click each product that belongs to Works Suite, and then click Remove.
   
   You receive a message similar to the following:
   Warning - All items selected will be removed from the Windows Installer database. In order for the items to work properly, you must individually reinstall all items selected. Select OK to continue removing product, Cancel to abort.
4. Click OK.
5. When the process is complete, restart your computer.

Note If the previous procedure does not resolve the problem, follow the steps in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: