Windows 7 : Unable to Install Any Programs

Anonymous
2009-11-07T16:56:54+00:00

Ideas:

  • Programs you are having problems with
  • Error messages
  • Recent changes you made to your computer
  • What you have already tried to fix the problem

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Hi - just finished a clean install of Windows 7 this afternoon ( upgrading from XP ). Running a homebuild system : Gigabyte GA-8PENXP Mobo, 2GB RAM, Core2Duo 6600, Nvidia 8800GTS Graphics. Install went cleanly no errors or hiccups. Problem is I can't install anything. Tried to download an install AVG and Avast AV products, both installers failed. iTunes installer just does nothing. However, I have successfully installed Office XP Pro and Stanza eBook reader. Turned off UAC - no difference. Ideas appreciated. It's driving me nuts

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Apps

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Anonymous
2009-11-08T16:54:17+00:00

Hi,

Welcome to Microsoft Answers Forum!

I would suggest you to perform a System File Checker [SFC] scan on the computer

 Steps to perform SFC scan:

 1. Click the Start button

  1. From the Start Menu, Click All programs followed by Accessories
  2. In the Accessories menu, Right Click on the Command Prompt option
  3. From the drop down menu that appears, Click on the 'Run as administrator' option
  4. If you have the User Account Control (UAC) enabled, you will be asked for authorization prior to the command prompt opening. You may simply need to press the Continue button if you are the administrator or insert the administrator password etc.
  5. In the Command Prompt window, type: sfc /scannow and then press Enter
  6. A message will appear stating that 'The system scan will begin'
  7. Be patient because the scan may take some time
  8. If any files require replacing SFC will replace them. You may be asked to insert your Vista DVD for this process to continue
  9. If everything is okay you should, after the scan, see the following message "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations"
  10. After the scan has completed, close the command prompt window, restart the computer and check.

Additional information: How to repair the operating system and how to restore the operating system configuration to an earlier point in time in Windows Vista:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936212

 Also try to run program as an administrator.

To do this right click on a program which you are trying to install and click on “Run as an Administrator”.

Also try to run program in compatibility mode and also check whether that program which you are trying to install is compatible with Windows 7 or not.

Check the link which talks about How to run program in compatibility mode.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Make-older-programs-run-in-this-version-of-Windows

Also click on the link given below to check for the compatibility.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/default.aspx

Shalini

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer.

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Anonymous
2012-01-23T23:17:13+00:00

SOLVED! ~ Well for me

Hi,

I'd been having this same problem with updating windows / vc_red.msi problems & installing programs

tried everything literally been goggling for days thought it was a corrupt registry / then maybe some anti-virus programs finally found this forum

http://blog.tiensivu.com/aaron/archives/1823-Windows-7-fix-for-crashing-Windows-Installer-errors-cannot-install-or-uninstall-MSI-packages.html

Followed the recommendations & my computer is back working perfectly, can install & update like normal.

Really hope this helps someone :-)

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-08-22T19:26:43+00:00

    scan doesn't fix anything.  Can't go back on restore, doesn't work.  Can't access windows features, its blank.  As far as I can tell if I try to repair the operating system it will destroy everything on my disk.  That is rediculous.  I've tried everything on the web I can find and nobody seems to know how to fix this.  I've been trying to get expression web 3 installed and it is on my computer but will not run.  no messages in any of the above.  I cannot repair or uninstall expression web 3.  I can't install .net framework 3.5. 

    Windows 7 ultimate, intel i7 920 processor, 6 gigs memory, nvidia gt9800 video, big hardrive with lots of room.  I buy power computer.  Have you or anybody you know ever actually experienced and fixed this problem?  I have not found anybody on the internet that has solved the problem.

    I hope there is something short of buying an Apple computer to solve this problem.

    John C

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