(INSTALLATION) Checklist for problems reading from the CD

Product Name: Borland Developer Studio (BDS)
Product Version: 2006
Product Component: C++ Builder
Platform/OS Version: Windows

Description:

While installing C++Builder, customers often run into problems related to the installer's inability to read from the CD. These errors can manifest in a number of ways, for instance:

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Error 1305 may indicate that a specific file can't be read.

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An error may state that a MSI package can't be opened.

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The error may say "error reading from CD" and ask the user to verify that the file "exists and is accessible."

Answer/Solution:

Regardless of the error message, below is a generic checklist that can be followed to determine if the problem is defective media or something else. Following is the checklist in the order presented:

(1)
Wipe the surface of the CD with a clean, soft cloth to ensure that it is free of any physical smudges or other obstructions. Sometimes residue from packaging tape or dust buildup can prevent the CD from being read properly. (This is the culprit more often than one might expect.) CD manufacturers always advise to wipe across the CD, away from the central hole, and never 'around' the CD.

(2)
If possible, try the CD in another CD-ROM or machine and see if the same error persists. In rare instances, certain CD-ROM drivers can have trouble reading discs. If the customer's CD-ROM drivers haven't been updated in a while, updating them may also be worth a try.

(3)
Install the latest version of MSI, the Windows Installer used by C++Builder. Current versions of MSI are typically available from Microsoft's website or freeware/shareware websites such as download.com. A corrupt or outdated install of MSI can sometimes lead to CD reading problems.

(4)
See if the customer is able to copy the contents of the CD over to the hard drive. If the contents can't be copied over, then there is likely a problem with the media. If the error message refers to a particular file, then save time by trying this test with just that file rather than the entire CD.

If none of the above helps, then it is likely a bad disc for which the customer should call customer support to request a replacement.

Author: Rajini Billahalli