First of all, I would try to do an install and get used to the environment. There are a few tricks other than the basic install. There doesn't seem to be good documentation for a post-setup executable which you can still do. I've only been able to 'Self-Register' dlls - haven't successfully done the 'COM extract' yet. You probably want to use the .MSMs if this is a regular vfp install, but, I found it easier to just include the needed files for a web setup.
It should still be possible to do what you want to do. The default runtime location has changed though, I believe, but I thought you could still run a vfp .exe with the runtimes in the same folder with no problem. This is the place to look for the problem, though.
Other than that I would just ask specific questions when you come to them.

>In the past I could simiply put runtime files in application directory to execute an application for either a user's local folder or a zip cartridge. This nolonger seems to work in VFP 8. At present I develope on W2k. I need to distribute applications to so the run on Win 98, 2000, and XP where application is on a zip cartridge, local folder, or from a Novell server.
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>Is it possible to do that? If so how. In a previous posting some one suggested I read the Microsoft Installshield walk thru which I did but, found it confusing. There is very little explaination of the options and how to use them. If I have to use it, are there examples of how to use it with explaniations of the various options?
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>I have seen the walk thru on MIcrosoft Sites. I