INSTALL SHIELD QUICK FIX?

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Does anyone know of a quick fix for Install Shield? I'm able to install all programs I download from the web (free AV etc) but I'm unable to install purchased CD programs (Canon photo stitch & Hemera Big Box of Art) which use the InstallShield.

I've been to the recognised site which recommends shortening the path to Windows Temp File, downloading the engine etc, etc all to no avail.

Does anyone know of a quick fix? I think it might be SP2 related but I've put a lot of programs on my computers (neither will accept the install) since installing SP2.

The hammer is the obvious solution but is NOT at option at the moment in time :)
 
I'm led to believe that InstallShield is a 3rd party program which program writers purchase and apply to their program and is not part of Windows.

The Error messages are always from InstallShield and not from Windows.
 
Well InstallShield used to use its own custom installation engine, but later versions were built on MS's Windows Installer, so it could indeed be that Windows Installer is broken on your PC.

That would be consistent with your discovery that most freeware/shareware from the web installs fine, since most of these use reliable, lightweight installers like InnoSetup that spurn Windows Installer like the rabid dog that it is.

You need to find out more about the installer packages that don't work. Take a good look through the folders on the CD - is the installer a single executable, or a collection of files? If it's a collection of files, look for the .msi extension. If you see that, then installer is based on Windows Installer - there are ways to fix this. You might alos find some clues in the application or system event logs (via EventViewer) - run th einstallers again and see if any new entries appear that give you a detailed error message.
 
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17593881

I posted the above thread when I had problems with the Hemera Box of Art.
The Error Message was ***IS STRING NOT DEFINED****

I didn't get any replies.

I also copied the PhotoStitch program to my desktop and tried installing it from there. I only copied PhotoStitch and not the other bundled programs

On exploring the Canon disc there is a collection of files (I'm at work and the discs are at home) certainly there were two exe files unfortunately I don't recall if there was a msi file. I clicked both exe files and, I believe the error message was Install Shield was interupted and that no changes were made to my computer.

When I ran it from Auto Run I got a different error message. It did not say it was interupted.

I had already closed all programs in the system tray, gone to msconfig and un-ticked all start-up programs, rebooted and it still did not work. I seem to remember that the error message was slightly different when I tried installing the program from Auto Run and selection only PhotoStich.

You mentioned Event Viewer, could you please advise me how I would go about accessing and viewing this?

Thanx for you assistance so far.
 
Quickest way to Event Viewer (assuming your PC is running XP or W2k) is to type the following into your Run.. box off the start menu:

eventvwr.msc /s

When Event Viewer starts up, click on Application or System in the tree on the left hand side to see the application or system event log entries. For something like this, I'd probably:

1) Take a quick look at the app and system event logs to see the current latest events
2) Run the installer and let it fail
3) Go back into the app and sys event logs (you may have to refersh by hitting F5, like in a browser) and see if there are any new events that could give clues about the install failure
 
I found the event viewer and had a good look at it and was able to sort entries by failed installations (Code 11708). It is interesting to note that when photo stitch failed to install there were a couple of other installations which were successful within a few seconds of that installation. (Product IS Script successfull). Because of the time difference they must have been associated with PhotoStitch! Part of the Canon Disc?

The Error message for PhotoStitch is "Product PhotoStitch Installation Operation failed" there is an underlined link to a MS site.

I'll not be able to try to install again until this evening.

I notice that Windows Installer 3.1 is in the add and remove programms. If as you suggest this might be corrupted is it possible to uninstall and reinstall, although I did do that when installing my Maxtor HDD to no avail.

If we assume that I get the same log entry, what would be the next logical step?

Thanx for you continued support.
 
Well the events don't sound too helpful. Off the top of my head, try the following:

1) Make sure that your temporary folder isn't full - type %temp% into your Run... box and clear out the resulting folder.

2) If the package is Windows Installer-based, there are ways to bypass the InstallShield front end and run the .msi files separately. You could try double-clicking them, or starting them using the msiexec command line - type the following into your Run... box for a list of options:

msiexec /?

Sometimes going for a silent or quiet install , or suppressing the UI can get you past a sticking point.

3) Try installing from safe mode (hold down F8 at start of boot for menu)

4) If the package is actually an old Installshield job, it just might not like SP2. You could try right-clicking on the launcher and start in in compatibility mode for Win2k

5) If it's Windows Installer based, try a simple WI installation like MS Powertoys:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

If that doesn't work, then WI must be on the blink. The following article (the procedure at the end) might help get it going again:

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_reinstall_the_windows_i.htm
 
Thanx, as I said I'm at work at the moment and I'll try as many things as I can when I get home.

It's a pity there isn't some small 3rd party installer which could be used, ie copy all files from the directory of the offending program into a new folder, dump those which are not needed insert the 3rd party installer and off you go!

Thanx again
 
Any file, its the type of package file rather than the application itself that's being tested here :)

All the powertoys are "MSI" files (or MicroSoft Installers).
 
I've tried virtually everything.

1. Temp folder is empty
2. a. I tried running the msi file but I got a warning message saying I had to run Sepup.exe
b. I managed to open the box after running msiexec /? but I'm not knowledgeable enough to know what to enter!
3. I had tried safe mode once before - It was kind enough to stop the installation almost immediately!
4. An old job - not really sure about that because I had previously installed one of the bundled programs and that worked at the time. I tried win 2K but it did not install
5. a. Power Toys, see my thread above.
b. I ran all the DOS(?) commands to re-install.

And it still doesn't work.

It's a pity really because I've just purchased a tripod and a special levelling table devise to take panoramic photos and my photo stitch program would have been very usefull.

I am really grateful for all your efforts. I fear that I might have to remove SP2 but the warning message frightens the life out of me. The message states that a large number of programs including windows up-dates might not work etc. I don't know if an uninstall of SP2 followed by a reinstall would put the programs mentioned in the warning message back to the state they were before uninstall or if certain bits and pieces of the programs will not work?

Probably have "To Suck it and See" :(
 
Thanx Guys

I managed to download and install two powertoy files, they installed themselves correctly.

I then tried PhotoStitch but it still won't install.

The error message is "File transfer error. Installation failed".

I had another go at the Hemera and I got the original message I had in Jul ***IS STRING etc.....
 
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