[Solved] Windows can't find C:\Program Files\Open Office ***

[Mister_C]

Hi,

This is really nuts. I was using O-O 3.4.1 on Windows 7 and it worked fine until just recently.

When I tried to start O-O I got the Windows error box saying:

"Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files\OpenOffice3.4.1\program\swriter.exe' Bla-bla-bla type name etc.

Thinking the link was broken I opened explorer, went to the file (swriter.exe) and clicked run as administrator.

Same thing; Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files *.*

Uninstalled 3.4.1 and installed 4.0, same thing.

Uninstalled again this time using Revo uninstaller and checked reg for leftover links.

Shut down and installed O-O 4.0 again. Tried link and same error '*** make sure you typed the name correctly, and try again.

Again used explorer and clicked on "swriter.exe in the program folder. Still got and the same condescending error message.

The other programs seem to run, even notepad but nothing in O-O. Tried other programs in o-office like Base, Calc, Impress,
but nothing in O-O runs. I'm stumped? Any ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Ken

[Bill]

Is there a typo in the error message you posted? "OpenOffice3.4.1" is not the default folder name. AOO 3.4.1 installs in "OpenOffice.org 3" by default.

[B Marcelly]

Hi,

I was using O-O 3.4.1 on Windows 7 and it worked fine until just recently.

When I tried to start O-O I got the Windows error box saying:

"Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files\OpenOffice3.4.1\program\swriter.exe' Bla-bla-bla type name etc.

On Windows 7, OpenOffice.org 3.4.1 installs here :

Code: Select all

C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3\program\swriter.exe

You have probably copied or herited shortcuts valid for Windows XP.

[Mister_C]

I never used XP.

Further I put in the entire path (correctly!) from RUN on the command line. Still same error.

As for the typo 3.4.1 error I was going memory as the 3.4.1 directory was gone by then.

It worked and then it didn't. All I can surmise is that some update altered something.

I did some error checking in Win 7 and it says that "swriter.exe" is an invalid file type.

WTF?

God I love Windows! Grrrr!

[Bill]

Did you try double-clicking the swriter.exe file instead of right-clicking and selecting "run as administrator"? Swriter.exe should not require administrator privileges to run.

Also check and make sure that the swriter.exe, soffice.exe, etc files aren't set to run in compatibility mode. Right-click the files and select Properties, then click the Compatibility tab. Compatibility mode shouldn't be necessary, but if compatibility mode is enabled, the AOO executable files may only run with administrator privileges.

[Mister_C]

SOLVED!

Looks as though I was the victim of something called an IMAGE HACK!

Seems a virus attaches itself to an standard EXE so it gets by the Virus scanners.

Found it using a program called TOOLWIZ!

Program does all sorts of cool stuff, check HDD, REG, MEMORY, etc.

The "Security" section is especially helpful!

Highly Recommended!

See YA!