Windows 7 : Unable to Install Any Programs

Anonymous

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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

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Anonymous

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

From the Start Menu, Click All programs followed by Accessories
In the Accessories menu, Right Click on the Command Prompt option
From the drop down menu that appears, Click on the 'Run as administrator' option
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.
In the Command Prompt window, type: sfc /scannow and then press Enter
A message will appear stating that 'The system scan will begin'
Be patient because the scan may take some time
If any files require replacing SFC will replace them. You may be asked to insert your Vista DVD for this process to continue
If everything is okay you should, after the scan, see the following message "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations"
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.

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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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73 additional answers

Anonymous

2011-07-25T09:39:05+00:00

To turn off system restore

Click Start button, right click on computer.

Select properties/System Protection/Configure/Turn off System protection/apply

Mines been fine since.

But I would recommend you look into alternative system backup methods if it works for you.
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Anonymous

2011-11-01T15:26:22+00:00

I am having a similar issue. I just purchased a new Alienware pc (windows 7 64 bit). I am trying to install an MMO via downloading the installer from their site.

I click to download the file, it prompts me to 'save' or 'run', but in the end it doesn't matter which one I pick. If I select 'run' it will begin installing the 'installer'. Halfway through (only a few seconds in) I am prompted whether or not I would like to allow the program to make changes to my computer. I select 'yes' (to allow it). It quickly flashes as if it finished installing the installer, but then nothing. What is 'supposed' to occur there is it automatically opens the installer and I can begin downloading and installing the actual game, but instead nothing happens at all. Nothing shows up in the task list, nothing. It shows the circle like it's going to do something, but ends after about a second or so, and that's it. Nothing.

If I save the file and run it from my folder, I get the same result. It get the prompt, I click yes, then nothing.

I looked to see where it was trying to install the 'installer' and found the .exe under User/AppData/Temp/#GameFolder. There were two files setup.exe and installer.exe. Neither do anything. I have tried turning down security shield (all the way), have ran as administrator, etc.. Nothing works.

I am able to install it on my Alienware laptop, which also runs Windows 7, but for some reason the installer.exe or setup.exe files will NOT work on the desktop.

Any suggestions on what else I can try to get it to work? It is very frustrating buying a new gaming PC then being unable to install the game you bought the PC for....
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Anonymous

2011-11-01T21:37:04+00:00

Hi stacymcdaniel,

I would suggest that if you have a question you post your question in the Microsoft Answer’s Forum which will create a new thread. That will allow the entire online community to examine and hopefully provide insight into your issue.

http://answers.microsoft.com/

Eddie B.
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