CS5 Won't Install on Windows 7. Adobe or Windows Problem?

For the past three days, I have been trying unsuccessfully to install an upgrade of Photoshop from CS4 to CS5. I keep getting to the 28% point right after the DVD installs the Photoshop Help files and begins to install CS5.1. At that point, everything stops and I get a message "There were problems with your Installation, exit code 6." I have tried running all the "fixes" proposed on the Adobe web sites and no luck.
This includes running Windows in Modified Mode (no Services and now Startup files), repairing the Microsoft Installer, logging on as a new user (Administrator), copying the install files from the DVD to the C: drive and running install from there, uninstalling reinstalling Adobe AIR, etc. All with no luck. I spent hours dealing with the Adobe live chat tech assist (a total waste of time) and finally, more hours on the phone with several people who tried to walk me through the same steps I had already performed. I had a big problem understanding the tech people. Right now, I don't know if it is an Adobe issue or a Windows issue. Has anybody else experienced this issue? Any ideas? I am at the point where I am ready to return the software for a refund and forget the whole thing.

Thanks,

Jack

CS5.1 isn't an update to CS4, it's a different beast. Before going down logicearth's very sensible, and probably the best way to really do it is to try the Adobe CS* Clean up tool.
Do a google, The one I found removes CS$ and CS5 stuff. Hopefully that'll give you a clean slate to install on.

Hi Julian,

I looked at that tool (I downloaded it to my computer) but it appears in the Readme file that the cleaner will uninstall all the previous version of Photoshop in the process. So if CS5 then fails to install, I have no backup. Is that not the case?
The idea of doing a clean install by wiping my hard drive is definitely not an option. I have too many type of software on there and it would take about a week to get the system back up an running. I do have backup in the form of a terabyte external drive though.

Thanks for the response,

Jack

Hello Jack: is restoring to a time before the problematic attempt(s) an option?
I'm trying to arrive at a safe starting point (to keep CS4 in working state) - research why it won't upgrade (and research what "exit code 6" really meant ...)

Paul

This link suggests you may need to repair the Windows Installer.

Install error "Exit Code: 6" or "Exit Code: 7" | Creative Suite 5, CS5.5

Hi Paul (and Seavixen),

I spent over two hours this afternoon on a live chat with an Adobe technical representative going though every conceivable troubleshooting step related to this problem. I already repaired the Windows installer (twice) and tried every other step on the Adobe help pages on the website. I always try the steps recommended on a product web site before I call or chat with the customer service folks. Anyway, following today's exercise in futility, the representative decided to "escalate" my case to a higher technical level. One of the techs looked at my install logs and believes the problem is related to my .NET Framework files, but he got "unplugged" before we were able to pursue the issue. So maybe it is a Windows 7 issue after all. I will continue to post as this unfolds.

Thanks for all the replies,

Jack

You're very welcome, Jack.

I do hope Adobe can get to the bottom of this. Their software is not cheap and it just seems crazy you're having these problems.

Probably a stupid question, but is there any way you can do a clean install instead of an upgrade?

Hi again,

A clean install would require that I purchase an entire new suite which (I think) costs over $700.00 right now. I have been using Adobe Photoshop for many years and have had no problem in the past using the much less expensive upgrades. I will perservere on this one if only for the fact that I am pretty stubborn

Cheers,

Jack