"Error 2908. Could not register component [2]" error message when you install Office 2000 (299777)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office XP (Setup)
  • Microsoft Publisher 2000
  • Microsoft Word 2000
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Picture It! Photo 2001
  • Microsoft Picture It! Photo 2002
  • Microsoft Picture It! Photo Premium 2001
  • Microsoft Picture It! Photo Premium 2002, version 1.0
  • Microsoft Picture It! Publishing 2001
  • Microsoft Picture It! Publishing 2001 Gold
  • Microsoft Picture It! Publishing 2001 Platinum
  • Microsoft Picture It! Publishing 2001 Silver
  • Microsoft Picture It! Publishing 2002
  • Microsoft Picture It! Publishing 2002, Gold, version 1.0
  • Microsoft Picture It! Publishing Platinum 2002 1.0
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Premium
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Professoinal
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Standard
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business
  • Microsoft Office 2000 Developer
  • Microsoft Access 2000
  • Microsoft Excel 2000
  • Microsoft FrontPage 2000
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2000
This article was previously published under Q299777
WARNING:This information is preliminary and has not been confirmed or tested by Microsoft. Use only with discretion.

SYMPTOMS

When you try to install one of the products listed in the "Applies To" section, you may receive an error message that is similar to one of the following:
Internal Error 2908. Could not register component <ID>
Error 2908. Could not register component [2].

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, try the following methods in the order in which they appear.

Method 1: Clean boot and scan the system registry for errors

Use the method appropriate for your operating system.

Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

  1. Click Start and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type MSCONFIG and then click OK.
  3. Click Selective startup.
  4. Click to clear each check box on the Startup selection menu, and then click OK.
  5. Restart your computer.
  6. Click Start and then click Run.
  7. In the Open box, type SCANREG /FIX and then click OK.
  8. When the process has finished, your computer automatically restarts.
  9. Insert the Office 2000 CD-ROM.
  10. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  11. Double-click Add/Remove Programs, and then click Install.
  12. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
  13. On the Selective startup menu, click Normal Startup - load all device drivers and software, and then click OK.

Microsoft Windows 98

  1. Click Start and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type MSCONFIG and then click OK.
  3. Click Selective startup.
  4. Click to clear each check box on the Startup selection menu, and then click OK.
  5. Restart your computer in MS-DOS mode.
  6. At the command prompt, type SCANREG /FIX and then press ENTER.
  7. When the process is complete, the following or similar message appears:

    Windows successfully fixed your registry.

  8. Press ENTER to close the message.
  9. Restart your computer in Windows 98.
  10. Insert the Office 2000 CD-ROM.
  11. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  12. Double-click Add/Remove Programs, and then click Install.
  13. When the Office installation is complete, click Start and then click Run.
  14. In the Open box, type MSCONFIG and then click OK.
  15. On the Selective startup menu, click Normal Startup - load all device drivers and software, and then click OK.

Method 2: Run Setup under a different profile

If the profile under which you are logged on is damaged (corrupted), you may be able to run Setup under a different user profile. If you log on under a different profile, and you are able to install Office, you may need to delete and recreate the problematic profile. Otherwise, you may encounter the same problem when you try to install Office when you are logged back on under that profile.

For more information about removing an existing user profile, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

156826 How to disable and delete user profiles

Note If you have profiles turned on and a per-user Start menu, each user who has an existing profile on Windows 95 or Windows 98 must run Setup for Office. The only users who do not have to run Setup are those who do not have an existing profile on the computer; when they log on for the first time, the default user profile is copied into their profile. This default user profile includes all of the registry information and shortcuts necessary to start Office programs.

For more information about installing Office 2000 with user profiles turned on, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

302846 An "Application must be installed" error message occurs when you start an Office programs

If this method does not resolve the problem, try the steps outlined in method 3.

Method 3: Turn off user profiles before running Setup

  1. On the Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click the Passwords Control Panel.
  2. Click the User Profiles tab. Click All users of this computer use the same preferences and desktop settings.
  3. Click OK. Restart the computer if prompted to do so.
  4. Install Office 2000.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/11/2006
Keywords:kbtshoot kbsetup kberrmsg kbprb KB299777
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