Solved Cannot install photoshop

[stevieray]

Hello everybody!

I'm trying to install photoshop, but I keep getting an error. See snip:

I've tried the usual steps... take ownership, run as administrator, but so far no success. Could this be a permissions issue? Which folders should I check the permissions on?

Thanks!

 

[Kari]

If this is a legal copy of Photoshop, why dont you just call Adobe Tech Support at 800-642-3623 Monday to Friday 5AM-7PM Pacific Time? (I assume you are from the USA). Give them the error code, they should be able to help you.

Phone numbers to Adobe Tech Support in other countries can be found here.

Kari

 

[stevieray]

OK... here's another complication/symptom. I just tried to install the Windows Installer Cleanup utility (direct from MS), and I'm getting the same error message (2203).

 

[stevieray]

If this is a legal copy of Photoshop, why dont you just call Adobe Tech Support at 800-642-3623 Monday to Friday 5AM-7PM Pacific Time? (I assume you are from the USA). Give them the error code, they should be able to help you.

Phone numbers to Adobe Tech Support in other countries can be found here.

Kari

This error message is a Windows internal error, it doesn't seem to be an Adobe/Photoshop specific error.

Oh heck, I'll call Adobe anyway... thanks for the number!

 

[stevieray]

Well, just got off the phone with Adobe. They told me to contact MS, 'cause its a Windows Installer error... pretty much what I expected they'd say.

 

[Kari]

Yeah, after your second post I was thinking it must be Windows, not Adobe issue. Searching the Interwebz it seems to be a temp folder problem. Because I really don't know why you are getting this error, the best advice I can give is to google it.

Kari

 

[Barman58]

Did come across some info on this error and a possible fix to give the installer -Everyone - full control permissions

May want to try it - though I never like giving that sort of rights to the everyone group

 

[stevieray]

I'll give that a try. Thanks Barman.

 

[stevieray]

Nope. Nothing has worked. i gave permission to everyone but that didn't help. I went into services.msc and restarted Windows Installer, took ownership of everything... no go.

I'm fairly sure that the Windows Installer is corrupted. I looked around for a 7 version of the Installer Redistributable, but if one exist I cannot find it, so that option is out.

I need to run the Windows Installer Cleanup, but I cannot, of course, because I cannot install it.

Edit: I tried to restore a previous version of the installer, but Windows won't allow it.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
I've had absolutely NO problems installing photoshop CS4 on both a REAL and a Virtual W7 X-64 machine.

Do the following first however

1) Move the install files to LOCAL drives (not shared or NAS) -- Adobe is paranoid about using stuff on a Server when it's destined for a desktop. I know "shared drives" should appear as Local if they are mounted as such but sometimes windows products have problems installing with UNC directory addreses - e.g \\server\sharename instead of a windows letter D:\ . Adobe regards UNC addresses as originating from a server.

2) Disable any running ADOBE task -- if you've downloaded adobe flash or adobe reader you'll find some adobe processes running in the background -- another piece of adobe paranoia -- they get their products to "call home" at times to ensure you aren't using a torrented or "other" copy.

3) ensure no AV software is running in the background apart from MSE - that doesn't effect it at all.

4) if your copy of CS4 is already activated on the same or another machine logon to adobe and "Transfer activation".

That way you can install and then "re-activate".

IMO Windows installer rarely causes problems unless your system is already broken.

You could also try re-booting Windows from the start up disk with "Repair Windows" option - this should fix any broken files.

Cheers
jimbo.

 

[stevieray]

Thanks Jimbo.

I'm pretty sure that the Windows Installer is broken... I cannot uninstall programs through it anymore. One of the patches I use to enable custom themes must've broken something the installer depends upon. I'm gonna have to do the whole Repair Install ritual dance once again.

 

[Barman58]

Before you try a repair install, why not try a System File Check. It will likely "mess up" any mods you have for themes but if it works is a lot less painful than the install option

Admin Command Prompt - sfc /scannow

 

[stevieray]

That's one of the things I tried... sorry I didn't list it. I ran sfc /verifyonly to see which files it listed as "broken" (it was the usual ones) and then I ran the scannow. It busted the themes/icons, but didn't fix the Installer issue.

I just finished running Repair Install. It went alot smoother this time. Last time it renamed my drive letters, and I had to do a registry hack (with help from Brink) to get access to my second HD, and I had to fix a ton of paths to get things like WMP and Open Office to work again. This time everything came out fine... no new drive letters, and I have access to all of my files. Whew!

Gonna do a C:/ backup right now (save its raw state), and then I'll try to install photoshop again.

Thanks for the help everyone!