Intellipoint Software Incompatible With Win 7  

I just installed Windows 7 Ultimate over my previous Vista Home Premium. I got a hardware compatibility warning before the install stating that a known issue with the MS Intellipoint software was detected.

This is the software that makes my (then) MS IntelliMouse Explorer fully functional with all the bells and whistles. The mouse works, but with basic functionality.

I researched the error code (1603) and determined that this was an "installation error"....duh. Researching this, I found several similar instances regarding this error, but none had any real resolution. I have since downloaded the Win 7 Intellipoint software from the MS site and get the same error code...and the installation is aborted.

I found several things to try in order to get the software to install.

1. Delete all temp files (%temp%).
2. Reinstall the latest MS .NET Framework
3. Install and run Windows Installer Cleanup to remove any old Intellipoint files. (None were found)
4. Checked to make sure Windows Installer Service was set to Auto and started....it was.
5. Tried the install using a "clean startup".

The only thing that was suggested that I didn't try was to uninstall Windows Installer and reinstall the latest version. I couldn't find it anywhere on my system. This in and of itself may be part of the problem?

None of the above ideas worked. I always got the "Incompatibility Notice" and error code 1603.

I have since purchased a new mouse, thinking if it said it was Windows 7 Certified, all would be good. NOPE....same problem when trying to install the software. The new mouse is a MS Natural Laser Mouse 6000.

Anybody have any other suggestions?

Paul

Hi Shawn.

Yes, sorry I should have mentioned that I've tried the driver download from the MS site, as well as the disk that came with the mouse. The download is a newer version, of course, but that didn't work either. Same error message.

I should also add that I did contact MS support by phone and the tech and I went through the exact same steps I listed in my original post....still no joy. The issue has been escalated for further troubleshooting...who knows if I'll ever hear back from them.

I believe there is something haywire with the Win 7 upgrade that I did. The upgrade went smoothly, but I've been getting some weird permission errors when trying to do things like delete the MS Intellipoint folder. Everything else seems to working fine. I ran System File Checker and it didn't find any problems.

Paul

I use all the latest intellipoint drivers with W7 Ultimate 64bit, no issues. I did a clean install, not an upgrade install. I do not think the drivers are incompatible.

Thanks for that info Shawn.
I wasn't aware that the upgrade version could be used for a clean install. I had considered doing a re-install or re-upgrade to try and see if that would help, but I wasn't sure if I would lose all my Vista programs/settings and such.

One question...is it possible to do a "repair install" from the upgrade disk, thereby maintaining everything (except for broken items) on the drive as-is? Unfortunately I would need another weeks vacation to reinstall all my software and goodies that I had with my Vista system. I waited to do the Win 7 upgrade until I was on vacation this past week. Everything went quite smoothly except for the MS mouse issue.

The new mouse "works" for basic mousing activities, but I'm just PO'ed that I went out and spent $40 on a new mouse thinking that would fix the issue, and it turns out I could've kept my old mouse with the same problem. The problem is with me more than anything. I can't bear to have an issue like this unresolved . I will get to the bottom of it eventually. Thanks for your help, so far. I look forward to any additional ideas from anyone.

Paul

spyknee said:

I use all the latest intellipoint drivers with W7 Ultimate 64bit, no issues. I did a clean install, not an upgrade install. I do not think the drivers are incompatible.

Yes, I agree, spyknee.

During my investigation into this, I've seen other people with the 64bit version tell me the same thing....no issues. The drivers are good, but I think there is some setting or other issue with my install (and others as well, judging by the number of complaints I've seen while researching this) that's keeping the compatibility issue a problem.

Paul

Brink said:

Unfortunately a repair install will not be able to fix issues from a upgraded installation though. Only from a clean install, or issues that didn't come from a upgrade install.

Ahhhh, I see. Well then, I may just have to suck it up and do a clean install.

Either that, or live with the mouse the way it is.

Thanks for your input Shawn.

Paul