FAQ
Q) What is vcredist_x86.exe?
A) vcredist_x86.exe is a Microsoft Installer that installs the latest version of the C Runtime Library on the user's machine.
Q) Why do we install it?
A) Almost every FME dll and exe links against the c runtime library (this is standard practice); if the proper version of this library is not on the user's machine, bad things happen.
Q) Are there any OS requirements?
A) The vcredist_x86.exe installer requires that Windows Installer 3.0 (or later) be installed on the machine. Generally speaking, all Windows XP and Vista users should not need to worry about this constraint. Windows 2000 users may need to download Windows Installer from the following website:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5FBC5470-B259-4733-A914-A956122E08E8&displaylang=en
In addition, Windows 2000 machines should have the latest service pack installed.
Q) What happens if "bad things happen"? e.g. the vcredist installer fails to complete successfully.
A) We have had a few anecdotal reports of the vcredist installer failing. Generally speaking, this is because the user's machine is in a bad state due to a prior install failure, or Windows Installer 3.0 is not installed.
In this situation, FME probably won't run. Furthermore, there is an exceedingly good chance that the FME installer will report an error at the end of the installation because either fmereg or FMEAdministrator failed to start.
In this situation, the user can manually run the vcredist installer (it should be in the top-level FME folder). If they still cannot install the C Runtime, they will need to seek the assistance of their local System Administrator.
If users are able to successfully run the vcredist installer successfully, I would suggest that they rerun the FME installer just to be sure that everything is installed properly.
Q) I am running FME 2009 from a shortcut key pointing to an installation on a Windows 2003 Server. Why won't this work?
A) You need to have a copy of the Microsoft C++ Runtime Re-distributable installed on the client machine. Download and install it from the following website link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9b2da534-3e03-4391-8a4d-074b9f2bc1bf&displaylang=en