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Article ID: 812488 - Last Review: February 1, 2007 - Revision: 1.4
Error Message: Another Copy Of This Application is Already Running
When you try to upgrade your computer from Microsoft Windows
98 to Microsoft Windows XP, you may receive an error message similar to the
following:
Another copy of this application is already
running.
This behavior may occur if one or more of the following
conditions are true:
- A previous installation process was terminated
incorrectly.
- There are two installation processes running at the same
time.
- The Wininit.ini file on the hard disk is
corrupted.
To resolve this behavior, rename each copy of Wininit.ini,
and then start the Windows XP installation process. To do this, follow these
steps:
Step 1: Rename Wininit.ini Files
- Click Start, point to
Find, and then click Files or
Folders.
- In the Named box, type
wininit.ini, and then click Find
Now.
- Right-click wininit.ini, and then click
Rename.
- Type wininit.old, and then press
ENTER.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 to rename each Wininit.ini file that
you find.
Step 2: Start the Windows XP Installation
- Press SHIFT, and then insert your Windows XP
CD-ROM.
- Start Windows Explorer.
- Right-click the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that contains the
Windows XP CD-ROM, and then click Explore.
- In the left pane, click I386.
- In the right pane, double-click
Winnt32.exe.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Windows
XP setup and installation.
The Wininit.ini file contains destination paths and file
names for the .dll files that are renamed and copied during a program
installation or update. This method is used because some files cannot be copied
if the file already exists in memory. Wininit.exe processes the Wininit.ini
file when you restart the computer. If the Wininit.ini file contains incorrect
information, or the renamed files have been deleted or moved, problems may
occur during the restart or installation.
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
- Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
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