Installing Microsoft software on a Microsoft system can still have problems?
Yes, installing a new product on a system running an operating system created by the same company can still run into trouble! It’s not surprising. And from the tech geek stand point, one can happily say, “It’s not a bug, it’s a feature.” ;) How you arrive there is anyone’s guess.
As I’m preparing things to begin rolling across the country in search of a new state to hang my hat, I decided to get the latest version of Microsoft’s mapping program. I’m still thrilled with my Garmin GPS, and wouldn’t trade it for anything. But I’ve found Microsoft’s product useful for trip planning, and cross referencing with other travel documents I have.
So, the other day I popped by a Best Buy and rounded up the latest Streets & Trips. Tossed the disk in, followed the exciting pop up menus, and spent some time while munching on a rice cake. Right as the installation looked ready to wrap up…..BAM. An error message.
Error message: Error 1402.
Ugh. I went on to the net, and began looking the issue up. There were multiple references to this problem with Microsoft office, and other microsoft products. I went directly to their web page and looked up the error. Sure enough, happens on many of their products. No real explanation why, just how to work around it.
The fix requires users to get into their Registry, and edit / delete some keys. What does that mean in English? Well, it means you need to get into a very important component in your system, and delete items that could potentially harm your system. If you follow the instructions you’ll be fine. But editing the items in the registry is like bouncing a ball in a mine field. Be Careful!
More than advising readers about a particular error, I wanted to point out that products made by the same company don’t work off the bat all of the time. Doesn’t mean your computer is broken. Doesn’t necessarily mean the software is broken. It might mean that a company’s testing and launch of products is pathetically sloppy at times.
In the end, before returning products, check the web. Write down the EXACT error. Typing in a partial error message might confuse you. If you look at the link above, there are many flavors of the 1402 error. And it happens with many different software pacakges. You wouldn’t want to follow the fix instructions for Office while trying to repair Streets & Trips. 
Funny, I only have these types of problems on one of my computers. The other one, with a different operating system, never gives me such grief. 
Rich,
Do you think you will install XP on your mac using Bootcamp? I’m heading in the direction of the new 17″ MacBookPro and then plan on dual booting.
Jaime
Comment on April 24, 2006 @ 7:33 pm
Hey Rich,
Well then, why don’t you install Streets and Trips on the other operating system?
Computers are a pain, eh?
T
Comment on April 28, 2006 @ 1:01 pm
Tim,
Yeah, there aren’t any navigation programs for Mac at present.
I will say, with more than a decade of network administration experience, management of national networks, and system use on most every platform under the sun, I can consistently count on Microsoft’s inconsisitency.
So, while there are some things not available on competing systems, I can count on the fact that things available work without problem after problem.
Computers aren’t a pain, just poorly built operating systems.
I post these items to let other users know of potential issues. I can always work through them, and no real trouble for me. But many “intro level” users run into this garbage and figure it must be something they did. I’m here to tell them, it isn’t, it’s the manufacturer and you should expect more when dropping the kind of money these companies charge. If cars were built this way we’d all be riding bikes.
Comment on April 28, 2006 @ 1:34 pm