Solution For Error 1311 – Cannot Locate Source File

Error 1311 is caused  by either a conflict, or problem, which leads your system to be unable to read a .cab file it requires for the installation of a program / application. This error typically shows for Adobe Acrobat, and also for the likes of Microsoft Office. Here are some typical error messages for the 1311 error:

Error 1311
Cannot locate source file Cabinetfile.cab

or

“Cannot find the file Adobe Acrobat [version]\data1.cab.”

What Causes 1311 Errors?

The Error code 1311 and also the others (1335, 2350) are caused when:

1. The application installer program doesn’t access the required program setup files from the program setup CD-ROM.
2. The installation files are in a compressed state.
3. An AntiVirus program that is on your system is disrupting the setup process.

How To Fix The 1311 / 2350 Error

Step 1 – Check The Installation CD For Damage

One of the biggest causes of the 1311 error is the way in which the installation CD will often be damaged (and unreadable). This is a huge issue, as it means that your computer will not be able to read the files it requires. To fix this, you should look at the reverse (shiny) side of the installation CD and see whether it’s scratched or not. If it is scratched, you should either look for a replacement CD or use one of the CD repair tools you can get from PC stores.

Step 2 – Extract Compressed Installation Files

The 1311 error shows when it cannot extract a “cabinet” file from an installation program. A cabinet (.cab) file is used by installation programs to compress a lot of files into a single, smaller file. If your PC shows the 1311 error, it’s typically a sign that the .cab file you are trying to use is either damaged, corrupt or unreadable by your software. If you manually extract this file, it should make the installation work properly again. Here’s what to do:

• Right-click on the folder and select Extract All.
• Follow the instructions.
• Once that has finished, double-click ‘Setup.exe’ in the folder that has the extracted files.

Step 3 – Re-Install The CD-ROM Device

It’s often the case that the CD-ROM will either become damaged or corrupted as Windows is used. This means that if you want to ensure the 1311 error no longer shows, you may wish to try reinstalling the CD-ROM device:

• Right-click ‘My Computer’ and select Properties.
• Click the Hardware tab, and select Device Manager.
• Expand the DVD/CD-ROM section.
• Right-click on all the devices that are listed in the section and select Uninstall.
• Close the device manager and restart your computer.
• Once Windows has re detected the DVD/CD-ROM Drives, insert the installation disk into the disk drive and install Acrobat.

Step 4 – Scan Your PC For Viruses

• Download this antivirus program

It’s often the case that viruses will infect Windows computers and prevent the likes of installations from taking place. This is very common, and should be fixed by scanning your PC for viruses. If you have an antivirus program already on your computer, you should use it to scan through your PC and fix the various infections inside; whereas if you don’t have one, you should use the link above to obtain a reliable & effective tool.

Step 5 – Clean Out The Registry

• Download this registry cleaner

The ‘registry’ is a central database which stores vital settings and information for your system. It’s also, crucially, where Windows stores a lot of vital settings for the core of your system. One of the biggest problems that causes the 1311 error is the way in which many registry files become damaged, causing your computer to show errors. To fix this, it’s highly recommended that you use a “registry cleaner” to scan through your computer and repair the various damaged registry settings that could be causing a problem inside your system. You can download our recommended tool below: