Solved Desktop shortcut icon tries to open install from another program

[PThomasOK]

Hello, I work with my companies IT department. Over the past year or so I have had the same problem as listed below. Sometimes uninstalling, deleting the softwares folder and re-installing the program takes care of the problem. Other times (like this one) it does not.

I have a user who has a desktop icon that when double clicked tries to open an install for another program already installed on the computer. It is looking for the location folder for what to install. If I click "OK" it will give an "Error 1706" and then repeats. If I cancel it then it comes up again. If I cancel it a second time it will actually open the intended program for the icon.

How can I get this icon to open the program without going through the install it is asking for?

 

[mitchell65]

Hi and welcome to the Forum
Try this:
Right click the icon on the desktop, click delete. You should get a pop up telling ou that this will just delete the icon and not the program. OK. Now go to C:\Program Files\ and search for the folder of the program in question. [or if the folder is not there try C:\Program Files (x86)] Locate the program exe file and right click it, choose "Send to" Then choose "Desktop (create shortcut). This will put a new icon on your desktop.
Hope this helps!

 

[PThomasOK]

Thanks for the suggestion (mitchell65) but it still tries to do the install after sending to the dessktop.

 

[mitchell65]

Then are you sure that you have created a link to the correct exe file. To check navigate back to the exe file and double click it. Report back what happens! does it give you the install again or open the program?

 

[PThomasOK]

The .exe file gives the same result and trys to call the other programs install. I even re-tried the save to destop with same results.

 

[mitchell65]

Then I guess that is the wrong exe file! Is there another one in that folder? What program is it? Is it possible to un install and re install it?

 

[PThomasOK]

There are other .exe files in the folder but the one I am working with is the same one we have on all other user computers. It is the "Request" software for KIP plotters that allows a user to send plots and pdf files to the KIP plotters to print. It is installed on all users that have Autodesk products so they can send large format plots to the plotter.

The last person I had the "Request" problem with I was able to uninstall the software, remove the software folders, remove it in the registry, re-boot and re-install and it worked okay.

Another user about a year ago I had the same problem as now. When I re-installed the software it was still trying to open another software install. Because the user no longer needed the other software it was trying to open, I was able to un-install it instead. Then when I installed the "Request" software again it worked "better" but still flashed the screen a couple of times before it would go on and open the "Request" application. Normally the application opens without any stalls or hang-ups.

I have had the same type situation with other software but it has been quite a while since I have. I remember one happened with MS Word.

 

[mitchell65]

The icon on the desktop is just a shortcut to the exe file that the installer (person) chooses. If clicking the exe file within the folder reproduces the problem then of course clicking the icon on the desktop will have the same result.
I can't find any reference to the Request Prog, for KIP plotters so am unable to check the tree. If you have a folder for this software that contains this exe file can you do a screenshot and post it here.
See here if you need help with this:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[PThomasOK]

I have attached three views. One of what the icon looks like, another for the icon properties view and the third for the Explorer tree location.

 

[mitchell65]

Well there seem to be a number of applications within the same folder. It may well be that all the aplications use the same common files. If this is so it looks like one is causing a conflict but I am only guessing. I see there is a support section on their website. Perhaps it might help to post on there. Sorry I can't be more helpful but it's pointless me just guessing and I don't want to waste your time!

 

[PThomasOK]

I will check on their website but I think this is still a Windows type corruption problem since other software icons have caused this in the past. Thanks for your help, I appreciate it!

 

[PThomasOK]

I tried the following on a hunch.

I put the CD install disc for the civil 3D program in and re-clicked the icon. It ran through what I would call and install and then quit. The software came up so I shut it down and re-opened it. It worked like a charm. Go figure. The simplest thing fixed it.

 

[mitchell65]

That's good, well done, thanks for the feedback