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Troubleshooting an MSI error during a VMware product or Tools installation (1031302)

Symptoms

  • Cannot install VMware Workstation
  • Installing VMware Workstation fails
  • You see an error about the Windows installer service
  • You see the error:

    The MSI '' failed.

Purpose

This article describes a specific issue. If you experience all of the above symptoms, consult the sections below. If you experience some but not all of these symptoms, your issue is not related to this article. Search for your symptoms, or review these articles for similar issues:

Cause

This issue occurs when the Microsoft installer detects a problem with the installation process. This is not a VMware issue.

Resolution

Each step below provides instructions for taking corrective action as necessary. The steps are ordered in the most appropriate sequence to isolate the issue and to resolve it properly. They are also ordered in the most appropriate sequence to minimize data loss. After completing each step, you can try installing the product again. Work through each troubleshooting step in order, and do not skip a step.

To resolve this issue:
  1. Make sure that you are logged into Windows as a local administrator. For more information, see:

  2. Clear the contents of your Temp directory:

    1. For Windows XP, click the Start > Run. For Windows Vista/7, click the Start globe / Windows logo button.
    2. Type %TEMP% and press Enter.
    3. Select and delete all files.

  3. Reinstall the latest version of Windows Installer. For more information and a for download link, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article 942288.

  4. Run the installer of the currently installed version of Workstation and choose Repair. When complete, restart the PC and run the setup for the new version of Workstation.
  5. If you are running Windows 7 or later, run the Fix it utility in the Microsoft Knowledge Base article 2438651.
  6. If you are running Windows XP, reregister the Microsoft installer. From a command prompt, enter these two commands:

    MSIExec /unregister
    MSIExec /regserver

    Note: For more information on command prompts, see Opening a command or shell prompt (1003892).

  7. Use the Windows System Configuration (msconfig) utility to disable all non-Microsoft startup utilities. For more information, see Using the Windows System Configuration utility (1004010). Restart Windows, so that only the enabled Microsoft services are running.

  8. From the command prompt, run this command:

    sfc /SCANNOW

    For more information on this command, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article 929833.

  9. Create a new user user account with administrative privileges and log in as the new user. Install the software from the new account. For more information, see:

For more information on the Microsoft installer, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article 2438651.

Note: The preceding links were correct as of February 7, 2011. If you find a link is broken, provide feedback and a VMware employee will update the link.

Tags

installation-fails  install-fails  uninstallation-fails

See Also

Update History

02/04/2011 - Added link back to Resolution Path. 02/07/2011 - Wrote out Microsoft-recommended steps for resolving MSI issues 02/14/2011 - Added Player to product list 09/08/2011 - Added step 4 09/16/2011 - Changed article title 09/19/2011 - Added sfc/scannow as step 7 09/29/2011 - Added link to MS KB regarding sfc /SCANNOW 3/26/2012 - Added link to Microsoft Fix it utility for Windows 7.

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