Vista - Visual C++ Installation - Cannot Read Data File

Hi,

I am having installation problems with a Polish/English Multimedia dictionary. At the start of install I get a pop-up advising that the program needs to install MS Visual C++ 2005 SP1 to run properly. When I click OK it commences the installation of Visual C++ but does not complete the configuration stage before the installation of the dictionary software starts.

The dictionary installation then continues without problem ok but when I try to run it I get an error message that the program cannot read the data file and that I should reinstall again. Also, I note that Visual C++ has failed to install.

The software is Vista compatable and does install ok (including the Visual C++) when I tried it on a on a Vista x86 latop. I have tried installation with UAC disabled, Norton Internet security disabled, even tried installing it in safe mode with a hack to run Windows installer. I have run all installations as Administrator.

Also tried a separate install of Visual C++ 2005 SP1 and also the 2008 version but the dictionary software does not recognise either. To get the 2005 version installed I had to first install the base pack and then the SP1 version, but then I have no idea if it has installed properly..

My laptop is an HP Pavilion dv 3510nr and OS is Vista Home Premium x64 and I bought it about 4 weeks ago in the US. Maybe there is a running service that is conflicting with the software installation, I have no idea.

Any help or suggestions would be most welcome as the support from the vendor is not a lot of use, thanks.

I doubt the dictionary actually needs "C++". What it might need are some runtime libraries, and that's substantially different.

What is the exact text/name of the "C++" package that the dictionary app thinks it needs?

Attached is a screen dump of the intial set up for the app.

It requires Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable

Right, that's the runtime stuff - MFC, ATL, C runtime...

You don't actually need all of Visual Studio (C++) if that's what you've been attempting to install. The VC8 redistributables should be sufficient for this app:

x86: Download details: Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86)

x64: Download details: Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package (x64)

ok, I have tried both of these before and I get as far as "please wait whilst microsoft configures .....etc". The progress bar does not reach the end before the window closes. Just tried both again with same result and neither are showing as being installed ......... I assume that the installation has not been completed or has been interrupted by some other process.

It does sound like the installation is aborting abnormally.

Is there anything logged in the Event Viewer during the redistributables install or at the point where it exits? (run EVENTVWR)

Just tried again and here is the 4 logged MSIinstaller events:-

Beginning a Windows Installer transaction: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\IXP001.TMP\vcredist.msi. Client Process Id: 5900.

Ending a Windows Installer transaction: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\IXP001.TMP\vcredist.msi. Client Process Id: 5900.

Product: Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable -- Configuration completed successfully.

Windows Installer reconfigured the product. Product Name: Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable. Product Version: 8.0.56336. Product Language: 0. Reconfiguration success or error status: 0.

I have claered the log and tried a fresh install of the program. Below is snapshot of the application events with seemingly no errors. Just a thought, but I have Sytem Restore configured to create a restore point on installation of an application ..... would this interfere with things??

Click the link in my sig and download everything under step 2. That will update runtime libraries, windows installer newest version etc.

I have done the above. Uninstalled and then reinstalled program but am still getting this error message when I try and run the program. Anyone any other ideas?

Unless there's something to indicate that the redistributable definitely hasn't installed correctly, there's nothing to indicate that the app's failure is definitely related to (a lack of) redistributable libraries.

Does the app have any sort of install log? Does it perhaps log into the event logs itself?