KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q150217: Invalid Format for Microsoft Internet Explorer

Article: Q150217
Product(s): The Microsoft Network
Version(s): 1.0,1.05,1.2,1.3
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 13-FEB-2002

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- The Microsoft Network versions 1.0, 1.05, 1.2, 1.3 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry.
Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the
registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the
Windows folder.

SYMPTOMS
========

When you run the Internet Setup Wizard, you may receive the following error
message:

  Information Provided by the Registering Program has an Invalid Format

CAUSE
=====

Microsoft Internet Explorer has been installed from two different sources,
causing a conflict in the format.

RESOLUTION
==========

NOTE: For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And
Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should
make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you
edit the registry.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may
require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems
resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry
Editor at your own risk.


Follow these steps:

1. Use Find to locate the Internet.inf and Rome1.cab files and rename these
  files.

2. In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.

3. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95.

4. Click the Add/Remove button, which starts the Plus! Setup program.

5. Click Add/Remove. Click to clear the Internet Jumpstart Kit check box. Click
  Continue and follow the instructions on the screen until you restart your
  computer.

6. Double-click My Computer, and then double-click Dial-Up Networking.

7. Using the right mouse button (right-click), click the Microsoft Network
  connectoid, and then click Delete. Close Dial-Up Networking.

8. Open the following registry key:

  Hkey_Local_Machine\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer

9. If you have Microsoft Internet Explorer 1.0 installed, set the IVer key to
  "101" (without the quotation marks). If you have Microsoft Internet Explorer
  2.0 installed, set the IVer key to "102" (without the quotation marks). If
  you have Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 installed, set the IVer key to "103"
  (without the quotation marks).

10. Update the Msnver.txt file by following these steps:

  a. Start an MS-DOS session.

  b. Change to the \progra~1\themic~1 folder.

  c. Type the following line, and then press ENTER:

  "copy con:msnver.txt" (without the quotation marks)

  d. When you are prompted "Do you want to overwrite?," press Y, and then press
     ENTER.

  e. If you have MSN 1.0 installed, type "5399" (without the quotation marks).
     If you have MSN 1.2 installed, type "5799" (without the quotation marks).

  f. Press CTRL+Z, and then press ENTER.


11. Restart the computer.

12. Reinstall the Internet Jumpstart Kit.


Additional query words: msn

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSNSearch
Version           : :1.0,1.05,1.2,1.3

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.