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Installation package could not be opened

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by zer000

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

Got a new laptop about 2 weeks ago, started doing the typical installations; crap cleaner, daemon tools etc etc
Random programs don't install for example;
iTunes
AMD overdrive

And others, it seems purely random, not sure why.
I download everything to the same folder.

Computer is up to date.

"This installation package could not be opened. Verify that the package exists and that you can access it, or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid windows installer package."

38 replies

by zer000

"Not enough storage is available to process this command"
"installation did not complete"

There isn't really a lot more I can add to this post, I doubt system speocs would help, but if anyone wants any info just post and ask :)

by darryl~

That would imply you're low on disk space. Did it use the "enitre" hard drive for the OS or did it install on a "small" partition.

Check in Disk Management & see what you have for drives listed & available/used space.

by strayer

I love this type of thing. I put you in my contacts, but I don't know how that works.
I have a bunch of questions. If you can use contacts, I'd like to see this work out.
What kind of laptop.
How large is the hard drive.
How much memory.
There's a solution to this. I probably could help, but I need more info.
Contact me if you want.

by zer000

Right
It's an MSI GT725 series

2 Partitioned harddrives OS_Install (C:)44Gb of which 14.4 is free, and Data(D:) 414Gb of which 261Gb is free.
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P9500 @ 2.53GHz, 2534 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)

Gfx Card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4850

Hopefully thats enough info, any ideas will be greating appreciated, I can assure you!

by zer000

Operating system installed on one of two partitions of which 14.4Gb is free(C), the other partition has a few hundred Gb(D).
I downloaded it to the D drive, would that affect the install?

by peconet tietokoneet

Yes it would make a difference. You have to get the program(s) to load in the "C" drive to be able to run properly. Also with only "14GB" or so left free, you might want to re-size the "C" drive so that you have space for the swap memory that Windows and other operating systems have to do, other wise you will have a very SLOOOOOw system that will flag up errors quite a lot.

by zer000

I'm running vista, not sure if that would cause anything to change, but I was reading the page and starting following "Method 2: Reinstall the Windows Installer"

1 Click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open text box, and then click OK.
2 Type cd %windir%\system32, and then press ENTER.
3 Type attrib -r -s -h dllcache, and then press ENTER.

Attempted part 3 and it said dllcache not found, I attempted to skip the step but it said access denied..

by balge

hi

>>"This article does not apply to computers that are running Windows Vista. For more information about help and support information for Windows Vista, visit the Windows Vista Solution Center:

http://support.microsoft.com/ph/11732

cheers

by zer000

Everything on that link you sent me was about SP2, occasionally SP1, and installing errors for SP2, etc.
Am I missing something?

by zer000

None of the downloads for the newest windows installer were for vista 32bit (SP2).. Or am I am being stupid?
And as for the windows installer errors, I don't get an error, merely the statement I put in my original post.

by thumbsup2

Some programs have a different version for Vista. Are you downloading those versions?

Have you tried downloading again? Perhaps the download is corrupt.

by zer000

Yea I'm certain I'm downloading the correct links, for example with iTunes, it gives you the choice of 32bit of 64bit. Picked 32 (which my computer uses)

Download definately isn't corrupt; must have downloaded it at least 4 times, and then on a different computer and usb'ed it across.
I swear there is no fix for this.

by zer000

This seems to be on the right lines, but I'm not following the steps.
"How to check the version of the Update.exe file"
About half way down the page, I don't understand what file should I be looking at, windows installer install/update?
I'm rather confused, if anyone could put this in laymen's terms, it would be largely appreciated.

by balge

hi
think that is actually specifically about Windows Updates rather than general install fails..not sure
Error logs are probably best bet now, is there anything in Event Manager either?
cheers
edit check services btw -http://www.speedyvista.com/services/Windows_Installer.php

by zer000

What should I be looking for specfically?
Any particular Event ID numbers?
Or type or Source?
This is a bit over my head, doing my best though!

by rob miners

Check the problem history in the Problem Reports and Solutions control panel.

If you don't find a solution there try uninstalling Daemon Tools to make sure that it is not the culprit.

by zer000

I'm 99% certain it isn't Daemon tools, because when you get a new laptop you download the neccessities, for example, for me iTunes, that was one of my first few downloads and it wouldn't install.
Just been into Problem Reports and Solutions and nothing about windows installer seems to be there, still checking.
This is so aggrevating!

by balge

hi
well I dont know what is in there but any mention of windows installer or any services it depends on or from, any thing from the times you got install error
just try an install if it fails see whats in Event Viewer and those error logs
cheers

by darryl~

I know that really wouldn't sove the problem but it would be interesting to see if you can install something in XP mode....it might help narrow some things down.

I'm not that familiar with Vista myself as I don't have it on any of my systems so I went to the Microsoft site to get the instructions in case you're not familiar with how to do it.

To run the installer in compatibility mode, follow these steps:

1)Locate the Setup program that will be used to install the program.
2)Right-click the Setup program, and then click Properties.
3)On the Compatibility tab, click to select the Run this program in compatibility mode for check box.
4)In the list, select the operating system that the program ran on previously, and then click OK. If you are unsure with which version of Windows the program previously worked, you can start by selecting the option for Windows XP Service Pack 2.
5)Try to install the program.

by zer000

" iTunes 8.2 for Windows XP or Vista"
It says it's for XP aswell, so will try the compatibility mode, I have little hope though.
***
Alas it didn't work, I double click, it comes up with the Run or Cancel window, then comes up the error in post one..
Vista :@ is really rather useless.

by strayer

Use the reinstall disk. I bet that the OEM install is faulty.
I used to volunteer tech and a couple of new Dells had this problem.
When I used the disk, it didn't do a complete install, it did a repair.
I didn't do repair, but "clean" install.
Try this and let us know.

by zer000

I'm not entirely sure I understand you, you want me to do a clean install of vista?
How do I make sure it does a clean install not a repair?

by darryl~

When you reinstall using your disks that came with the computer, it should ask you if you want to keep/retain existing files & settings or if you want to restore the computer to it's original factory settings...select original factory settings...it should give you a couple warnings that you will lose any documents, etc that you have stored on the hard drive...agree to wipe everything out & follow the prompts. Hopefully that should get you up & going.

by zer000

Okay, I'll keep everything on my C/D drives?
But it says I'll loose some files or settings... What files exactly?

by strayer

Follow what Daryl said.
Here's what I did with the 2 new Dells last year.
I put the reinstall CD in the tray after I turned on the machine.
There are options on what you can do.
Don't try to do the repair option, it is awful.
If it says install on thus and so drive, go with that.
What happened with one Dell was that there was a missing file. The disk replaced the file and that was it. I didn't loose the applications or anything else.
The other Dell had a corrupt file. THe disk repaired that file without removing anything.
In your case, you may lose whatever came after the factory install.
I think that you are missing a file, perhaps a dll.
The worst that can happen is that you have a new install.
After you do this, you should be able to install applications.
Check Add/Remove programs and see if all of the updates are there and what applications are on the laptop.
Look and see if Windows installer is there. If not, go find it at Microsoft and (I know, sigh) download and install that.
Microsoft can be difficult at times.
I do hope that this works.
Please let us know.

by zer000

It always comes back to reinstalling windows..
I don't think I can bring myself to reinstall, and I'm not to certain I didn't actually get a disc that came with my laptop, only company branded (MSI), but nonetheless, I'm done quite a few reinstalls already, and the copy to and from external HD's is too much of a pain for me to suffer again, thanks for everyone's help on this, and if anyone has any other ideas, that don't require an install, don't hesistate to post!

by darryl~

You will HAVE to go get your Windows updates when you complete the reinstall.

Get the latest service packs, etc.

After that, then you start installing your software (actually, I usually start uninstalling all the crap DELL puts on the system at this point....all the "trial" software etc).

Let us know how you make out.

I noticed you're a student....how's the classes going? You have a very valuable resource in the TechRepublic members....use it throughout your studies (and after), most of us are very willing to offer assistance & there are some very, very "bright" people here....I like to just surf the answers others give to questions I have no idea about....it's a great way to learn.

by darryl~

anything you "saved" documents, etc will be lost. Any usernames "you" created will be lost....any programs "you" installed will be lost.

This process will take it back to the way it was when it came from the factory....before you purchased it.....you will have to obtain ALL your Windows updates again & install any software that DID NOT come with your computer.

by darryl~

I looked back & see it's an MSI.

USE THE DISKS THAT CAME WITH IT. They were created to bring the computer back to it's original factory state.

You don't want to save anything....it's only a couple weeks old....snap it back to original....that's your best option.

PLUS....what's with "copying to & from external hard drives"? Get the othing running first....THEN copy your old files to the new computer.

by strayer

I am always so careful when I give suggestions in computer tech.
Do you know how add to contacts works? I haven't done this yet and it would be quite helpful to me.

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