TECH SUPPORT - FAQ

I get an error message when I try to install either the Crystal Ball Tutorial or the Real Options Analysis Toolkit 1.0. The message tells me that the file instmsia.exe or instmsiw.exe cannot be found. What does this mean?

In September 2001, Microsoft updated its installation program for compatibility with the Microsoft .NET Framework environment. Our product requires that you have the updated Windows installation program (Microsoft Installer [MSI] version 2.0). Decisioneering has seen instances where the proper MSI version has not been installed with our product because of an old, corrupt, or improperly installed version of MSI on the user's system. Versions of MSI exist on Windows 2000 and Windows XP, but might not exist on older Windows platforms.

If you get this error message, you can download a free upgrade file and run it to update your Windows installation program. Then run our product installer again, and it should work.

Here are links to pages on the Microsoft Web site that contain information on the Windows installation program upgrade and Version 2.0 of the MSI executable itself.

If you have Windows 95, 98, or Me, refer to this location:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=32831

If you have Windows NT 4.0, 2000, or XP, refer to this location:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?releaseid=32832&NewList=1

Note: If you have Windows XP, the upgraded installation program has been included as part of your operating system, and no update should be necessary.

After downloading, run the executable file. Then run our product installer again.