Whenever I attempt to run a particular program, the following error message appears: ‘Resource file version mismatch. Visual FoxPro cannot start. Could not load resources’. I have run other programs from the vendor, and also been sent a replacement copy of the CD, but the problem persists.

When researching this question I came across many instances of the error message from developers who are writing programs using Visual FoxPro, but I unfortunately did not come across many end users who are experiencing the error. From what I have read, it seems the problem is related to the run-time files required to run programs written in Visual FoxPro. When writing programs in particular languages, run-time files are sometimes required. Many languages have common functions that are utilised by most programs, which are written in that particular language. Instead of compiling these common functions into the EXE file for each individual program, they are instead abstracted into a set of run-time files. In theory, this makes the whole process more efficient with less overhead, because should there be multiple programs written in the same language (e.g. Visual FoxPro) installed on the computer, the common functions are only included once in the run-time files, as opposed to being included in every EXE file (thus creating duplication of common code) making each EXE file smaller. The error message you are experiencing tends to indicate the version of the run-time (i.e. resource) files on your computer do not match the version of Fox Pro used to write the program, and therefore the program cannot be started.

In theory, when the programmer compiles their FoxPro application and creates the setup file, the resource files for that version of FoxPro should also be included in this setup to prevent such problems from occurring. If you currently have the software installed, you should completely uninstall the program and then do an install from scratch. Make sure you don’t attempt to run the program directly from the CD, but instead first run the SETUP.EXE file. This will install the program, plus the necessary resource files on the computer.

Should reinstalling the program not fix the problem, it is possible the run-time files are not correctly installing during the program installation (using the program’s setup/installation utility e.g. SETUP.EXE). That said, the run-time files may have been included separately on the installation CD. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer and view the contents of the CD. Be aware, some CDs automatically launch a splash screen or setup utility when the CD drive icon is double-clicked (this feature is called ‘auto-run’). Should this happen, right-click on the CD drive icon and select ‘Open’ to display the contents of the CD. Look through the contents of the CD for a directory which may contain the run-time files (e.g. ‘Runtimes’ or ‘VFP’). If you find such a directory with the run-time files, there may be a separate SETUP.EXE file within that directory which you are able to run to install the run-time files.

If you reach this point and the problem has not yet been solved, unfortunately there is little else I can suggest. I have been unable to find any websites from where you can download the FoxPro run-time files, since presumably they should be included within the SETUP.EXE for the program. Even if you could download the run-time files, you would need to download the correct version and it is unlikely you can determine the version which you would require. If you are still stuck, please contact me again with the name of the program (and the distributor, with their website address) and I will try to research further.