Member Avatar for rational611

I have a Cel 1.7 GHz and Windows 2000 Prof running on it. I have installed all the latest service packs on it with Windows Update from microsoft.com.
When I am trying to install office, the setup is exiting without installing. It is not giving any error messages, it is simply exiting. The same problem is occuring when I am trying to install Microsoft Virtual PC 2004. What could be the problem? Previously I used to use Win98SE and Office 2000 used to get installed without a glitch.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by rasputinj

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Short summary and caution: this looks like a Windows Installer (MSI) engine problem rather than an Office-specific bug — already noticed only MSI-based setups fail. Suggestions from (check free space/registry) are valid checks, but the advice from to delete the msiexec binary is risky and unnecessary. Deleting system MSI files can break every installer on the machine. Safer, provable repairs exist: re-register the MSI engine, capture a verbose install log, check permissions and Group Policy, and only then replace/reinstall the MSI runtime if needed. (support.microsoft.com)

Quick, safe steps to try (run from an administrator command prompt or Start->Run):

msiexec /unregister
msiexec /regserver

Then run the Office setup while creating a verbose log so you can see where it stops:

"X:\setup.exe" /L*v C:\OfficeSetup.log
# or, for a standalone MSI
msiexec /i "D:\package.msi" /l*v C:\msilog.txt

Look for the new MSI*.log or OfficeSetup.log in C:\ or the user %TEMP% and scan for an error code (1603, 1602, etc.). Microsoft documents using these re-register and logging techniques for diagnosing installer failures. (support.microsoft.com)

Other checks that commonly catch silent exits: inspect Event Viewer (Application/System) for MsiInstaller events; ensure SYSTEM and the installing account have Full Control on the system TEMP folder and drive root; check for Group Policy or registry blocks (DisableMSI) that prevent MSI installs; and clear any pending install state keys (Installer\InProgress, Session Manager\PendingFileRenameOperations) before retrying. If the security key for MSIServer is broken, follow the documented repair path and reinstall the Windows Installer runtime for Windows 2000 rather than manually deleting files. (learn.microsoft.com)

If verbose logs show a specific failing action or error code, those lines point to the precise fix (permissions, files-in-use, antivirus, insufficient disk/Temp space, or corrupted MSI cache). The steps above follow Microsoft guidance and let you troubleshoot without destructive file deletions. (support.microsoft.com)

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Member Avatar for caperjack

So do all other programs install without a problem.

Member Avatar for rational611

The problem is occuring with Microsoft Installer (msi programs). I downloaded MSI installer from microsoft, but when I try to install it , it says Microsoft Installer is already installed? Is there any way to remove and reinstall this service?

rational611

Member Avatar for TallCool1

When I am trying to install office, the setup is exiting without installing. It is not giving any error messages, it is simply exiting. The same problem is occuring when I am trying to install Microsoft Virtual PC 2004. What could be the problem? Previously I used to use Win98SE and Office 2000 used to get installed without a glitch.

There are a couple of possibilities. One is that your hard drive may be too full. I have seen the MS Installer fail silently for that reason.

Another is a damaged Registry. You can try a couple of things there. One is to use System Restore to go to an earlier state of the system. Another is to use NTRegOpt, which is part of the package with which Win NT/2000/XP users can do a full backup-and-restore of the Registry: ERUNT -- The Emergency Recovery Utility NT to keep your Registry backed up. ERUNT backs up and restores parts of the Registry that Windows' built-in tools do not.

Member Avatar for rational611

The registry does not appear to be damaged and neither is the hardisk full. I have tried NTRegOpt and ERUNT and they did not work. Is there any way to uninstall the Microsoft Insaller service and reinstall it?

rational611

Member Avatar for satish

Hai, Rational 611,

If you want to uninstall windows installer then you can go to : c:\winnt\system32\msiexec file and delet it.
After this you can install it back from microsoft downloads or from Windows CD ROM.

But I will preffer you to try installing microsoft office from command prompt ie.

CD Drive:\file directory\setup.exe
I Hope it will help you

Member Avatar for rasputinj

I have a Cel 1.7 GHz and Windows 2000 Prof running on it. I have installed all the latest service packs on it with Windows Update from microsoft.com.
When I am trying to install office, the setup is exiting without installing. It is not giving any error messages, it is simply exiting. The same problem is occuring when I am trying to install Microsoft Virtual PC 2004. What could be the problem? Previously I used to use Win98SE and Office 2000 used to get installed without a glitch.

With that many problems sometimes it is just worth it to start from scratch again.

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