>I want to install VFP 9 on a new laptop. I have a VFP 9 upgrade, so it looks for VFP 6-8 first. So I need to install my old VFP6. When I try, I get error 544, "Setup is unable to open the data file F:\setup\acmsetup.stf; run setup again from where you originally ran it." I can't find an acmsetup.stf anywhere on the install disk.

Just a guess - I seem to recall from long ago someone copying the contents of an installation CD to a local folder or network share, and running the installation from there. In that case the files on the CD were read-only (as expected for optical media) and when they were copied they retained the read-only attribute. Setting the copied files to read/write allowed product installation.

You may also want to ensure you have read/write privileges to the installation files location.

I also seem to recall that some VFP upgrades could (or would) look for original installation media, such as a CD. If that's so then you wouldn't have to install VFP6, you would just have to point the VFP9 upgrade installer to the correct drive, it would verify you have the older version, then proceed.

Thank you for your response. Turns out I tried installing VFP 5, THEN VPF 6. This was successful. Then I was able to install VFP 9.