Calibre installation rolls back at very end. Win7 SP1

[rootsdigger05]

Hello,

Machine: DELL XPS 15 laptop (Win7 SP1)

I had Calibre 2.70 on my machine and working fine. The problem, however, was that I could not install any new version of Calibre, could not re-install version 2.70 or un-install the current installation. New installs would automatically roll back when the installation neared completion.

After many hours of trouble-shooting on Microsoft forums, I finally was able to un-install Calibre 2.70 by using the Microsoft "Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter":
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...led-or-removed

I had to discover the product code and enter it into the troubleshooter to remove Calibre 2.70. Unistallation has has worked, however, now I am back to the installation problem. No matter what version I try to install now, it rolls back. I have a lengthy log file that essentially gives 1603 errors. These errors vaguely refer to issues with the msiexec service. I have checked that the Windows Installer Service is properly running and in the Manual state upon startup.
I cannot post my verbose log file here, since it exceeds the limit. It is 3MB in size. I will send log file to users offline this forum if requested.

[kovidgoyal]

Use the portable installer instead, it does not depend on Microsoft's installer service.

[rootsdigger05]

I forgot to include the error message that appears at the end of installation attempts:
"The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance."

[rootsdigger05]

Thanks for the suggestion. But I would rather not use the portable version.

[rootsdigger05]

I want to fix the MSI installation issue.

[kovidgoyal]

You'll have to ask microsoft for help with that -- I doubt there are any microsoft installer service experts hanging around here.

[BetterRed]

@rootsdigger05 - have you run a system file check see ==>> Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

Have you tried a lightweight the registry cleaner, I favour Piriform's CCleaner. Some of the others are far too aggressive and can leave you in an even worse mess.

Can you install any other MSI's, this one is harmless ==>> BowPad - Stefan's Tools

BR

[rootsdigger05]

I have already run the System file checker tool with success. No file integrity errors. The BowPad .msi file installed just fine. Now what?

[rootsdigger05]

Microsoft's tool already removed all registry entries from Calibre, so I doubt that is an issue.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by rootsdigger05

I have already run the System file checker tool with success. No file integrity errors. The BowPad .msi file installed just fine. Now what?

Well that suggests the Trusted Installer itself is working OK, and the problem is peculiar to the calibre installation on your system.

Are you trying to reinstall the 32bit or 64bit version of calibre? If it's the 64bit version you could try installing the 32bit version - the only negative is that you might have problems with very large conversions. But you would retain all the settings, plugins, and library paths etc. If it's the 32bit version you could, assuming your computer is capable, try to install the 64bit version, I don't think it would install if your computer doesn't have 64 bit Windows - same deal with the settings.

Originally Posted by rootsdigger05

Microsoft's tool already removed all registry entries from Calibre, so I doubt that is an issue.

I don't have blind faith in anyone's tools. The Trusted Installer is complex (one might argue it's too complex), so it's almost inevitable there are some rare scenarios the MS repair tool doesn't detect.

Did you try a lightweight registry cleaner. The one I recommended will offer to backup the registry after it does its initial scan for redundant entries - I would take that option, and then select Remove All. And then repeat the scan and remove all (without backup) until it doesn't find any redundant entries. If anything goes adrift you can restore the registry.

If you wanted to take an extra precaution you could take a System Checkpoint first, then if anything goes wrong you can do a System Restore.

I've been using CCleaner since it was Crap Cleaner and I've never made any use of its registry backups, but Sod's Law would undoubtedly kick in if I stopped taking them

As a last resort, you could try one of the 3rd Party uninstallers like those from Revo or IOBit. I don't have a preference since they are all equally capable of screwing up a system big time - last time I needed to use Revo was on XP. Before using any of them make sure you have a full system image backup, and that you know how to use it to to a full system recovery. In particular secure the %appdata%\calibre folder (that's where calibre keeps its global preferences, optional plugins etc), 3rd party uninstallers have been known to remove such things without trace.

Right now I can't think of anything else, short of reinstalling Windows 7, maybe via this ==>> Repair Install - Windows 7 Help Forums.

BR

[Divingduck]

This sounds like you have a problem with your user profile. Maybe this is worth the effort to check:
Try to generate an additional user account with administrative rights and install calibre from that account.

[rootsdigger05]

Divingduck, thanks but I already tried that. No matter what account I use, same result. I am afraid I am going to have to eventually do a complete backup with Acronis, flatten my hard drive, re-install Windows, re-install my applications and restore my data. End of story.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by rootsdigger05

Divingduck, thanks but I already tried that. No matter what account I use, same result. I am afraid I am going to have to eventually do a complete backup with Acronis, flatten my hard drive, re-install Windows, re-install my applications and restore my data. End of story.

Before you do that, you could try a Windows Repair Install - that way you'll keep all your applications, settings etc. I've used it to repair a number Windows systems that were effectively unusable - no context menu in windows explorer, many control panel items inoperative etc.

The only applications I can recall that gave me any problems were Google Chrome (every time) and a Firefox extension (BB Code), the rest (including some v. old legacy programs) were fine. Much easier than reinstalling everything and trying to redo all the settings etc.

BR

[rootsdigger05]

Hi BetterRed,

I understand, however, herre is the situation.
1. Original OS on laptop was Win 7, Home premium.
2. I bought the "Anytime Upgrade" license key to Win 7 Ultimate SP1 and upgraded.
So, I cannot do an "in-place" installation as it is now. All I have is the Win 7 Home premium USB dongle (OEM from Dell) and the key for the upgrade.

[BetterRed]

55555

Originally Posted by rootsdigger05

Hi BetterRed,

I understand, however, herre is the situation.
1. Original OS on laptop was Win 7, Home premium.
2. I bought the "Anytime Upgrade" license key to Win 7 Ultimate SP1 and upgraded.
So, I cannot do an "in-place" installation as it is now. All I have is the Win 7 Home premium USB dongle (OEM from Dell) and the key for the upgrade.

At one time MS provided download links for ISO files for all the Win 7 variants, but I'm pretty sure that page was torn down, I think in the Technet revamp. But I've seen them on a couple of reputable blogs, so:

• search for 'Download Windows 7 Ultimate ISO'
• give MS a call and ask them where you can get an ISO for Ultimate.
• ask at ==>> Windows 7 Help Forums Tutorials - Repair Install

Just because you got an upgrade via a Dell OEM version of Windows, does not mean you're not entitled to a kosher copy of the software pertinent to your current license - but it might take a bit of effort to find it

BR