Winsteps, Facets, Ministep, Minifac Problems and Workarounds

Run time error '76' Path not found

Please check that:
1. you are installing in Administrator mode (if available)
2. you are using English-language-compatible directory names

Help won't display under Vista

Vista does not support the HELP screens used in most versions of Winsteps & Facets, please download and install WinHlp32.exe from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=6EBCFAD9-D3F5-4365-8070-334CD175D4BB&displaylang=en
Or Microsoft say you shouldn't do this, even though it works for Vista-32, but not Vista-64 : Copy c:\windows\system32\WinHlp32.exe from a computer running Windows XP and use it to replace c:\windows\system32\WinHlp32.exe on your Vista computer (which is what displays the Help warning message).

Help: "Action canceled!"
A Microsoft security patch prevents HTML Help .CHM files from being opened on network drives. "Action canceled!" will be displayed instead of the topic text. EC Software provide a free utility to fix the problem.

Help displays too small

In Internet Explorer, try:
Tools > Internet Options > Accessibility and check "Ignore font sizes specified on web pages".

Questions marks "?" disappear

Under some Regional settings of Windows:
Models=?,?,D becomes Models=,,D
Please try specifying the range of elements:
Models=1-100,1-25,D ; for examinees 1-100 encountering items 1-25
Blank spaces may also solve the problem:
Models= ? , ? , D

Installation fails Under Windows Vista

Please be sure you logged in as the Administrator.
Install Winsteps or Facets
 
If the installation doesn't work,
1. Right-click on WinstepsPasswordInstall.exe or FacetsPasswordInstall.exe
2. "Send To"
3. Desktop (create shortcut)
4. Right-click on the shortcut
4. Properties
5. Compatibility
6. Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows XP
7. OK
8. Double-click on the short-cut
 
If the installation doesn't work, then please temporarily disable UAC (User Account Control):
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, click User Accounts And Family Safety.
3. Click User Accounts.
4. Click Turn User Account Control On Or Off.
5. "Clear the Use User Account Control (UAC) To Help Protect Your Computer" checkbox, and then click OK.
6. When prompted, restart your computer.
7. Install Winsteps or Facets
Then:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, click User Accounts And Family Safety.
3. Click User Accounts.
4. Click Turn User Account Control On Or Off.
5. Set the "Use User Account Control (UAC) To Help Protect Your Computer "checkbox, and then click OK.
6. When prompted, restart your computer.

Tables display with ragged right margins
Microsoft Word 2007: display tables with Courier New. If right-margin is ragged, replace " " with "_" formatted with color "white".
Internet Explorer (webpage display option): zoom of 150% or more can make right margins ragged. Reduce zoom to 149%

Winsteps Expired
Only workshop/training versions of Winsteps expire. If you are trying to install a regular version of Winsteps:
1. Reboot your computer
2. Copy anything you want to keep from c:\Winsteps or c:\Facets (your executable folder) into another folder
3. Delete folder c:\Winsteps or c:\Facets (or whatever folder will be used for the software)
4. Rerun the regular Winsteps or Facets installation software
5. Winsteps or Facets should launch, showing no expiry date.

Have you downloaded the correct version?

If you have just downloaded Winsteps or Facets, it is possible that you have received an earlier version. This is because some ISPs "cache" webpages or downloads. Instead of sending you the current version, they send you the version they have stored on their computer. The usual symptom of this is that your Password will not work, even though it is current. Contact us using the form below for an alternative link which the ISP will not have cached.

There may be missing Microsoft support routines:
Please download and run vbrun60sp3.EXE available from www.microsoft.com/downloads/

".... a decompression error has been detected, (#5)."

A number of situations can cause this error:
1. You don't have Administrator rights on your computer. Please log on to your computer as an Administrator and run the installation software again.
2. The downloaded installation file has been corrupted.
3. Another program is running which is using resources that are needed for the decompression.
Suggestion: reboot your computer, log on as an Administrator, then install the software before starting anything else.

Access Denied

1. Make sure you are in Administrator mode

2. In the Windows Task Manager (ctrl+alt+del), look at "Processes", "end process" on Winsteps or Facets.

3. Reboot your computer and try installing again immediately your computer comes active

Directory Not Found or Access Denied

PROBLEM: Drive or Directory Not Found (3): for file: PERSON STATUS HOLD FILE in mode: OPENRDWR (37)
PROBLEM: Access denied (5): for file: PERSON STATUS HOLD FILE in mode: OPENRDWR (37)
PROBLEM: Access denied (5): for file: C:\....\ZCL152WS.TXT in mode: OPNWRITS (9)

Winsteps has an invalid or inaccessible directory for temporary work files.
Create a directory to use as a place for temporary files, e.g., C:\TEMP
If Winsteps starts long enough, go to "Edit Files", "Edit Initial Settings", "Temporary Directory for Work Files" and enter the directory, "OK"
If Winsteps won't start long enough, edit C:\winsteps\winsteps.ini, Temporary directory="C:\TEMP\"

Clipboard Errors

If you receive error messages, such as "521", after accessing the clipboard,
1. This may be due to a bug in some versions of Winsteps, or
2. Check that the clipboard is functioning properly by accessing it directly:
On the Windows "Start" menu, click "Run". Type in "clipbrd", then click OK. "Edit" "Delete". Then press the PrintScreen key. Does a copy of the screen show in the clipboard viewer?
Please download cliptest.exe.
Click on the buttons. Type into the box. Click some more on the buttons.

If you receive error messages then:

1. Investigate whether Microsoft Office components are controlling the clipboard. You can check this by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete and looking at the Processes. Do any have names of Office components, such as Excel, Access, Outlook, etc.? Terminate those processes.
2. Is any network software running, e.g., VNC. If so, this may have control of the clipboard. Investigate the network settings.
3. If you discover any other reason/solution, please let me know, using the response form below.

Please install "SAS Providers for OLE DB" (Local Provider), free from www.sas.com

SAS conversion functonality on the SAS pull-down menu requires the "SAS Local Provider", downloadable free (after free registration) from www.sas.com

SAS conversion problems may also be due to lack of Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) support in Windows. Available by download free from www.microsoft.com.

SPSS Problems

"!!SPSS" problem: please redownload Winsteps.

SPSS labels truncated, e.g., "WR1_WRIT" should be "wr1_writing_1"
1. If SPSS is installed on your computer, then please rename spssio32.dll in your Winsteps folder as spssio32.hld
2. Some versions of Winsteps only support SPSS 8-character Variables Names (not 64-character). Please put long identifiers in the SPSS 256-character Variable Label field.

Winsteps or Facets: plotting with Excel does not work properly.
Facets: - data input with Excel spreadsheet fails

Winsteps Plots menu or Facets Output Tables: Table 13 or Facets .xls data file

A. Check that there is module winexcel.exe in your Winsteps (for Winsteps) or Facets (for Facets) folder. If not, request an update to the current version of Winsteps or Facets.
B. Use Ctrl+Alt+Delete and look at the Task Manager list to check that no copies of Excel are still running in your computer. "End Process" to stop any that are, adn try again.
C. If you still have problems, please email winsteps.com with a copy of your computer screen showing the problem. Press PrintScreen key and paste into your email message.

"Run-time error 339 Component 'MSCOMCT2.OCX' [JwldButn2b.ocx, or other .ocx or .dll component] or one of its dependencies not correctly registered a file is missing or invalid"

(1) If possible, reinstall Winsteps or Facets in Administrator mode. Launch Winsteps or Facets again.

(2) Check that the component (e.g., MSCOMCT2.OCX) is on your system.
From the Windows "Start" menu,
"Search"
In "C:\"
In "Advanced options", check "system", "hidden" and "subfolders"
If the component is not found, use Google to investigate whether it is a Microsoft routine. If so, please download from www.microsoft.com. Google will help find the download webpage.
If the component is not a Microsoft routine, then reinstall Winsteps or Facets in Administrator mode. No need to uninstall first

(3) Check that the component is registered
Windows Start menu
Run
regsvr32 c:\windows\system32\MSCOMCT2.OCX (or wherever the component is)
OK

Then a box should display "dll register server succeeded"
If it does not display, try again after verifying that you are in Administrator mode.

(4) Try Winsteps or Facets again.

Windows 2000 and Excel 97 problems

In Excel:
Tools>Options>General
uncheck "Ignore other Applications"
Exit Excel and try again

If this doesn't work try to re-register Excel:
Close Excel first and
On the Windows Taskbar
1) Star>Run "excel.exe /unregserver"(no quotes)>OK.
2) Start>Run "excel.exe /regserver"(no quotes)>OK.
See the space between exe and /regserver

You might have to designate a full path to excel.exe.
In that case Start>Run "C:\yourpath\excel.exe /regserver"(no quotes)>OK.

Display of Graphs is partially off-screen.

Screen resolution is not high enough.

Start
Settings
Control panel
Display
Settings
set Screen Resolution to 800 x 600 or better

File suffixes not shown in dialog boxes

This is a Windows option

My Computer
Tools or View (depends on Windows version)
Folder Options
View
Check everything that says "Display" or "Show"
Uncheck everthing that says "Hide" or "Do not show"

Install Dialog Box displays every time

Clicking on Graphs, Plots, or Data Setup, displays a dialog box requesting installation of a Microsoft Office (or other) feature. You must click on "Cancel" several times, before the Winsteps function starts.

This is caused by an error during installation of the Microsoft Office (or other) feature.
Uninstall the Microsoft Office (or other) feature. "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel", "Add or remove Programs"
If you need the feature, reinstall it choosing the option "All from my computer", not "Install on demand".

Your computer has a version of RICHTX32.OCX (or COMDLG32.OCX ...) already installed. This is a support routine to Microsoft's Visual Basic system, supplied by Microsoft. A version compatible with Winsteps/Facets is part of the Winsteps/Facets installation package.

Winsteps/Facets Installation has not automatically replaced the existing version of RICHTX32.OCX (or COMDLG32.OCX ...) on your computer because that may cause some other program to fail. A solution is to find the version of RICHTX32.OCX already on your computer, and rename it to RICHTX32.OCY (or COMDLG32.OCY ...) .

Then reinstall Winsteps/Facets. It will install its own version of RICHTX32.OCX (or COMDLG32.OCX ...) .

If some other computer program stops working (which is very unlikely), then rename RICHTX32.OCX (or COMDLG32.OCX ...) as RICHTX32.OCZ (or COMDLG32.OCZ ...) , and rename RICHTX32.OCY (or COMDLG32.OCY ...) back to RICHTX32.OCX (or COMDLG32.OCX ...) - and vice-versa when you want to use Winsteps/Facets.

system32.dll (or other dll or ocx) missing

system32.dll is part of a virus. Update your antivirus software and do a complete scan before going further.

OleAut32.dll outdated

This routine supports Windows automation. Winsteps and Facets do not run under Windows-95 and 3.1

Download a more modern version of oleaut32.dll (called oleaut32.bin) to your desktop.
Restart your computer in MS-DOS mode.
CD \windows\system
rename OLEAUT32.DLL OLEAUT32.DLX
Copy c:\windows\desktop\OLEAUT32.BIN OLEAUT32.DLL
Exit from MS-DOS mode: Windows restarts
Delete OLEAUT32.BIN

If Windows fails, then your Windows version is incompatible with Winsteps and Facets
restart in MS-DOS model
CD \windows\system
Del OLEAUT32.DLL
rename OLEAUT32.DLX OLEAUT32.DLL
Exit from MS-DOS mode: Windows restarts

1. A program is missing. Probably Excel is not installed on your computer.
2. Windows is confused .... A reboot of the computer may fix it.

Richtx32.ocx was not on my system so it won't run.

This is a support routine provided by Windows, but it is also part of the Winsteps installation package. It should be in your Windows system directory, either c\windows\system or c\windows\system32

Windows may have failed to register it properly.
In the Windows "Start" menu (usually bottom left corner of your screen).
"Run"
Copy the following and paste into the "Run" box
regsvr32 c\windows\system32\richtx32.ocx
Then click on "OK"
A box should display saying
DLL register server in regsvr32 c\windows\system32\richtx32.ocx succeeded
This should repair the problem.

1. Click on the Windows "Start" box
   
2. "Run"
   
3. Type in REGSVR32.EXE COMDLG32.OCX (or the indicated OCX or DLL)
   
4. Click on OK
   
5. You should see "DllRegisterServer Succeeded"
   If not,
   Do a "search" or "find files" on your system (include System and Hidden files), and find COMDLG32.OCX (or the indicated OCX or DLL).
   Click on the Windows "Start" box
   "Run"
   Type in "REGSVR32.EXE {full pathname}\COMDLG32.OCX"
   You should see "DllRegisterServer Succeeded"
   
   • If this fails, it may be because you are using a removable disk or using a network which does not support this type of activity. In which case
     copy {full pathname}\COMDLG32.OCX into c:\windows\system32\
     On your computer screen,
     click on "Start" (usually bottom left corner)
     click on "Run"
     type into the box:
     regsvr32 c:\windows\system32\COMDLG32.OCX
     click OK
     You should see "DllRegisterServer Succeeded"
     
6. Click on Facets/Winsteps etc. short-cut again, and the program should function.
   

Windows XP

You may not be authorized to install software on your computer. Install in Administrator Mode

The Windows Protection Feature is reporting an attempt to replace a protected file. Click "Cancel" and then "Yes". Winsteps and Facets do not replace existing Windows system files. This may be occurring because the Installer is refering to a system file on your computer by an equivalent valid name, e.g., STDOLE2.TLB, stdole2.tlb, Stdole2.tlb and StdOle2.tlb are all the same file, or because the Windows Protection Feature is attempting to protect Winsteps or Facets files. If you do experience instability after installing Winsteps or Facets, or discover another reason for these message boxes when installing Winsteps or Facets, please contact us with the comment form below.

WordPad problems

Although the analysis run was successful, the tables cannot be displayed.

1. WordPad may be missing or support routine such as MFC30.DLL or MFC42U.DLL or MFCANS32.dll:
   1. Open Explorer
   2. Browse into C:\Windows\Inf
   3. Locate Write.inf
   4. Right click it, select Install from pop up menu
   5. Insert Windows CD if asked for it.
   
2. If there is more than one version of Wordpad.exe on your computer, Winsteps may try to use the wrong one.
   In Winsteps, click on "Edit" pull-down menu, then "Edit Initial Settings".
   Check that the version of WordPad.exe shown is in the "Accessories" folder.
   If this is the case, then put "Notepad.exe" as the Editor Path and click OK. Restart Winsteps.
   If this is not the case, please type in the correct location of WordPad.exe. To find WordPad's exact location in "Accessories", do a "search" or "find" on your computer for WordPad.exe (include System and Hidden files in the Search).
3. You can use a different text editor, e.g., NotePad or TextPad
   In Winsteps, click on "Edit" pull-down menu, then "Edit Initial Settings".
   Check that the version of WordPad.exe shown is in the "Accessories" folder.
   If this is the case, then put "Notepad.exe" as the Editor Path and click OK. Restart Winsteps.
   

Winsteps Graphing or Winsteps data setup do not work

These are executed as separate modules.

Open the folder: c:\winsteps
Double click on winsetup.exe - does it start properly?
Double click on winvbexe.exe - it should reply "Please start this from the Graphs menu in Winsteps or Ministep" - does it?

Some versions of Winsteps require that the correct version of Winstepx.dll is active. Delete all copies (including any in the System32 folder) and reinstall Winsteps.

Message: Cannot find the file '.... command.com'

In your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, check that COMSPEC= points to the correct location of command.com.
If so, please create the specified directory and copy command.com into it.
You can find command.com by using Find Files or Search from the Start menu.

Bubble Chart does not display

The Bubble Chart requires a properly installed version of Excel on your computer. Some versions of Winsteps also require a properly installed version of WINSTEPX.dll. To make sure that WINSTEPSX.dll is recognized by Windows, it needs to be registered:

Click on "Start"
Click on "Run"
Into the run box type: regsvr32 c:\winsteps\winstepx.dll A box should display saying "DllRegisterServer .... succeeded"
Rerun Winsteps.

If "Run-time error 52: Bad file name or number" is reported when Facets is launched, it can indicate that you do not have enough available disk space or computer RAM memory.
1. Disk space: "Disk Cleanup" your disk drive (Start, Programs, Accessories,System Tools).
2. RAM memory: Terminate other running programs. Virtual disks, print spoolers and other memory-resident programs reduce available memory to the point that Facets cannot run.

If "Uninstall" fails from the Control Panel then
(A) Delete the Winsteps (or Facets) folder or sub-folder
(B) Windows "Start", "Run", "Regedit" - and then delete all keys including the word "Winsteps" (or "Facets")
(C) Winsteps (or Facets) also installs in the Windows System folder various Microsoft components if they are missing from your Windows version. Do not delete these. They may be used by other programs. They are: COMDLG32.OCX RICHTX32.OCX MSCOMCTL.OCX MSCHRT20.OCX MSCOMCT2.OCX MSVBVM60.dll OleAut32.dll OlePro32.dll RichEd32.dll SCRRUN.DLL

Winsteps and Facets on a Mac

Winsteps and Facets are Windows programs. On earlier Macs they run under Virtual-PC. On later Macs, under Apple Boot Camp or Parallel.

Winsteps under Linux via Wine

Stuart Luppescu reports: "Winsteps runs quite well in Wine under Linux. (Wine is a set of native Linux functions that emulate Windows system calls, enabling a lot of Windows programs to run in Linux. Info is at www.winehq.com). There are a few minor problems, such as graph axis labels not showing up, but in general it works fine."

Winsteps under Mandrake Linux 10.0 via CrossOver Office 3.01

Winsteps functions properly, but the following problems are reported:
1. The HELP file cannot be displayed because winhelp32 functions are not supported by the Windows emulator.
2. To display the graphs, one has to briefly minimize the display window to correctly load the next graph.
3. The Diagnosis menu contains the Output Tables menu items and the Output Tables menu contains the Output Files menu items. The Output Files menu is empty. Workaround: Access the Diagnosis menu via the Output Tables, see Diagnosis Menu.