I run Windows XP Pro SP2 and have been unable to successfully install software requiring the Windows Installer for several months. I am using the latest installer provided by Microsoft – Windows Installer 3.1 (V2) [WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe].

During every installation requiring Windows Installer, I ALWAYS get the same error message - "Product: ______. The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2932." Microsoft’s Event Viewer simply repeats what I see during the failed install. The link to the Help and Support Center provides no additional information.

I have experienced this error message with the following failed installations:

- KB934392 – Security Update for Word 2000
- KB934447 – Security Update for Excel 2000
- KB934526 – Security Update for Office 2000
- Itunes Setup
- Quicktime Installer
- JAVA update
- Windows Installer Cleanup

I have attempted to uninstall this version of WI, but Windows cannot uninstall it. I've simply reinstalled the program numerous times. I've also unregistered and reregistered the executable. Nothing has helped.

My XP disc is an OEM SP1 CD. Since the version is 4 years old, reinstalling Windows would be a nightmare. Since the Windows Installer is an older version, I’m not certain if I can use it to attempt a “repair.”

Does anyone have an idea about how I might tackle this problem? TIA for your thoughts.

Some general thoughts here if you've not seen them already:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555175

DerekW

Go here and download Window's installer clean-up utility:

Installer Cleanup

Musky
If the voices inside my head paid rent, I'd be rich!

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Thanks for the post, Musky.

Although I'm not convinced that Microsoft's Cleanup utility addresses the kind of issue I'm experiencing, I decided their was nothing to lose and possibly something to gain by trying it.

Unfortunately, I couldn't install it to find out. It requires Windows Installer to install and the installation ended prematurely with Error 2932.

Thx, anyway.

How Ironic! You can't install a possible fix for an installer problem because the installer won't work! How I love computers!

I've been doing some research on your problem and I found a lot of people experiencing this problem as I'm sure you have also. So far the solutions vary, but one common thread I've noticed is that this started happening with the installation of Adobe Acrobat reader. Could this also be when your problem started?

If so, try un-installing reader just in case.

I'll keep looking and post back here if I find anything definitive.

EDIT: I just remembered installer problems I dealt with after upgrading from SP1 to SP2. Go into Windows Explorer, look at your "Program Files" and look under "Common Files" for the "Installshield" folder.

Please post back with a list of the folders within the InstallShield folder. I remember that SP2 sometimes deleted a key folder in that and it caused Windows installer errors.

Musky
If the voices inside my head paid rent, I'd be rich!

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Thanks for the suggestion.

I've run SP2 for as long as it's been available but only experienced the problems described above for the last several months. I'm certain the problem isn't related to changes SP2 made to my system. To add additional information, I had a clone of my hard that was about 2 months old. I swapped that hard into my system, verified MSI was experiencing the same issues at that time, and was was able to do the following on that system:

1. I did have the Clean Up Utility installed and ran it to remove every registry entry for every program MSI ever installed. MSI produced the same error message afterward as before. No change.

2. I completely uninstalled MSI (V2 of the last iteration) and reinstalled it. No change.

I remain stumped and frustrated.

Did you check the Installshield folders?

Musky
If the voices inside my head paid rent, I'd be rich!

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Sorry~

I have four folders - Driver, Engine, Iscript, Professional. Driver has four sub-folders - 7, 8, 9, 10 each with a sub-folder named Intel32.
Engine has one sub-folder named 6 with a sub-folder named Intel32. Iscript has no sub-folders. Professional has one sub-folder named Runtime. Runtime has four sub-folders named 0700, 0701, 09, and 10. 0700 and 0701 have Intel32 subs. 09 and 10 both have sub-folders named 01 and each sub has a sub named Intel32.

Well, then that isn't the problem. The ones I've dealt with that had installer troubles didn't have the "engine" folder.

Sorry, but it was worth a shot. Have you tried a system restore back to before this problem was happening?

Unfortunately, the predominate solution that I can find in other help forums is a reinstall of Windows.

Musky
If the voices inside my head paid rent, I'd be rich!

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

I couldn't restore my system that far back. Nevertheless, thanks for all your input. I really do appreciate your effort.

No problem, I wish we could have resolved the problem.

Musky
If the voices inside my head paid rent, I'd be rich!

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Ronald,

Have the exact same problem as you. Tried everything to no avail. Has anything ever worked for you? Thanks.

Peace,
Richard

Hi, Richard:

Sorry to share bad news but I backed up my data, formated my HD and reinstalled Windows. I did my best to avoid this marathon solution, but could not. Of course, doing this "fixed" the problem, but at considerable expense in time.