Re: Problems Installing Oracle 9i on WinXP

Frank V. wrote:

> I'm trying to install (reinstall) Oracle 9i on to my windows XP
> computer and I keep getting an error that I can't find and/or figure
> out. I've searched in multiple locations and no one has even mentioned
> this problem…
>
> Error:
> "There was a problem in accessing the staging area. Please make sure
> the specified values for ‘Source' and ‘Destination' are valid." This
> occurs on the File Location page of the installer.
>
> One important note is that I've installed this exact installation
> version on to the same computer before. The only major configuration
> change is that I've added Service Pack 2 to my computer.
>
> I know that I have the hard disk space for installing this. Any
> suggestion or recommendations will help out a lot. Thanks!
>
> -Frank V.

Not a whole lot of information to go on. Are you installing from CD? And if so, is this a CD which Oracle supply, or one you've burnt the free downloads onto yourself? Perhaps you're installing from hard disk? Who can say.

However you're installing, have you installed, onto another machine, successfully using the *exact same* installation *media*? I'm not sure what 'installing this exact installation version' means, but it could just mean 'I have previously had 9i on this machine', which is not the point.

Failing problems with your installation media, there's only one possible test I can think of: use System Restore to a point just prior to applying SP2 (or restore that backup you took before applying it) and try again using the exact same installation media you have now. If it works, add another application to the cast of thousands which SP2 is reported to break. If it doesn't, then its likely your installation media, not Oracle and not Windows.

Incidentally, I did once see an error message along those lines. Back in the 8i days, one of the ways of avoiding the Pentium IV bug was to copy everything onto the hard disk, and delete a file or two. I deleted a directory or three without noticing what I was doing... and fair enough, the installation complained about not being able to find the 'stage' directory (which is where all the juicy bits of the installation are stored). In that case, my installation media was stuffed.

Another time I saw it was when I inadvertently touched the keyboard and added the letter "f" to the end of the field on one of the first screens you get to see, where the top half says 'path to installation' and the bottom says 'where do you want to install to'. Oracle rightly complained that e:\stage\products.infF (or whatever) didn't actually exist.

On that occasion, the installation media was fine, but the installer was being unusually clumsy. Obviously, if you've tried repeated installations, it's a little unlikely that this will be your problem. But worth checking the paths it suggests for both source and destination and comparing them with what you think you've actually got.

Regards
HJR Received on Mon Aug 23 2004 - 14:28:07 CDT