Thursday, May 15, 2008

How to resolve Common "Windows Installer" Problems

  1. How to resolve Common "Windows Installer" Problems
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    Author: Yuval Sinay MVP
    Community Solutions Content Disclaimer
    Article ID
    :
    555175
    Last Review
    :
    February 21, 2006
    Revision
    :
    1.0
    SUMMARY
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    This knowledgebase can help you to resolve common Windows Installer problems.
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    SYMPTOMS
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    When you try to install/uninstall some application/s, you may get warning messages like: "The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed" "Windows Installer Service couldn’t be started" "Could not start the Windows Installer service on Local Computer. Error 5: Access is denied."
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    CAUSE
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    The error messages usually appear after failed installation of MSI Package or Disabled "Windows Installer" service.
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    RESOLUTION
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    Method 1 Unregister Windows Installer, and then reregister Windows Installer. To do this, follow these steps: 1. On the "Start" menu, click "Run:. 2. In the "Open" box, type "msiexec /unreg", and then press ENTER. 3. On the "Start" menu, click "Run". 4. In the "Open" box, type "msiexec /regserver", and then press ENTER. Method 2 Upgrade to Windows Installer version 2 or newer version. To do this, follow these steps: 1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer, and then browse to the following Microsoft Web site: http://msdn.microsoft.com/downloads 2. In the left pane tree menu, click "Setup and System Administration", and then click "Setup". 3. Click "Windows Installer", and then click the appropriate link for your operating system. 4. Click "Download" to download and install Windows Installer version 2 or newer version. Method 3 Use Windows Installer CleanUp Utility to uninstall the failed product. Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301 Method 4 The Windows Installer service may disabled on the machine. 1. Go to "Start" -> "Run" , type "services.msc" and press on "Enter" button. 2. Double-click on the service named "Windows Installer". 3. Check the value in the "Startup type:" field. If it's currently set to "Disabled", then this is the problem. Change it by selecting "Manual" from the drop-down box. Method 5 Empty user and system "temp" folders. 1. Empty "%systemdrive%\temp" folder. 2. Empty "%systemdrive%\%windir%\temp" folder. 3. Empty "%systemdrive%\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Temp". Method 6 Enable Windows Installer Logging and call to PSS support. How to Enable Windows Installer Logging http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=223300 How to Enable Windows Installer Logging in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314852 Method 7 Check correct DCOM and System permissions: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=319624 Method 8 If you just upgrade Windows XP workstation to service pack 2 and the windows installer problem appear only after this upgrade, please review the following knowledgebase: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;885894 Method 9 Check that the installation path length and environment variables length are execute 255 characters Method 10 If you get the message error "Error 1628: Failed to complete script based install" And followed the instruction above and it didn’t resolve the problem and you just create fresh installation packet by using InstallShiled tool, please disable "Cache installation on local machine" option during the installation packet create process. Method 11 Check if there pending installation/s: Warning: You should only edit these registry entries if you really know what you're doing. Back up your hard disk first. a. Empty "InProgress" Registry Key Check the following registry key:HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\InProgressand clean any entries that you find. b. Empty/Rename "PendingFileRenameOperations" Registry Key: Check the following registry key:HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\PendingFileRenameOperationsand clean any entries that you find. Method 12 Obtain update MSI Package from the software manufacture.
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    MORE INFORMATION
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    The Command-Line Options for the Microsoft Windows Installer Tool Msiexec.exe http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314881 Windows Installer 3.1 is available http://support.microsoft.com/?id=893803 Windows Installer Error Messages http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/windows_installer_error_messages.asp PRB: "Setup Has Detected That Another Program Requires the Computer to Reboot" Error Message When You Try to Install Visual Studio .NEThttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;830608
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    APPLIES TO

    Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)

    Microsoft Windows XP Professional

    Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002

    Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

    Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)

    Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition

    Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)

    Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems

    Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 Standard Edition

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