Skip to main content
Start a Conversation

Unsolved

This post is more than 5 years old

elliotttg31

7 Posts

61564

February 26th, 2007 20:00

Windows Installer-Error opening log file-Verify location exists and is writable (for MS Office)

This concerns a DELL desktop, Dimension E510, with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, and Windows Installer Version 3.1. Attempted installation of MS Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003. Attempt unsuccessful! Getting the message:

"Windows Installer, Error opening Installation log file. Verify that the specified log file location exists and is writable."

Maybe something about the registry, ‘drive:\Windows\System32\msiexec.exe /V’, needs to be edited. Please help me install MS Office.

dunedin

2.7K Posts

February 27th, 2007 10:00

Hello :smileyhappy:
 
I think you need to run the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility
Read the instructions here before using it.  There is a download link too
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=290301
 
Download and install the Cleanup Utility
Run the program.
Look for a entry for MS Office
Highlight it and get the program to remove it.
Reboot
 
Try to install MS Office again into the SAME folder as before

elliotttg31

7 Posts

February 27th, 2007 11:00

Thank you but ...:smileysad:
I Downloaded and installed the Cleanup Utility.
I Ran the program.
I Looked and Looked for an entry for MS Office unsuccessfully.
It is not there to Highlight, remove and/nor Reboot.
Todd

dunedin

2.7K Posts

February 27th, 2007 12:00

Is there a blank entry, or one which is just gobbledy-?   If there is remove it.
 
Otherwise
Just in case you have a corrupted install have a look for it in Add/Remove Programs and uninstall it
 
Then assuming you have it all on a CD delete all the files from your system.
 
Then run this good free registry cleaner
 
Try installing it again

elliotttg31

7 Posts

February 27th, 2007 17:00

:smileyindifferent:
let me add that the run box identifies the publisher is nor recognizable. I don't think this matters though, right?

elliotttg31

7 Posts

February 27th, 2007 17:00

No blank entry, nor one which is just gobbledy. Nothing out of the ordinary that should not be there (to be removed). Nothing identifiable as a corrupted install in Add/Remove Programs to uninstall. Believe I stared it all down comprehensively. Yes, I have CDs shipped with the computer in July 2007. Nothing appears predominately in need of deletion from my system. I downloaded the free registry cleaner, EasyCleaner, http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm. I then clicked 'run' in the resulting display window after downloaded. The display window then vanished without further notification. Attempted three (3) times saving and runnning immediately. Same message upon attempting to install MS Office 2003. "WINDOWS INSTALLER-Error Opening Installation log file. Verify that the specified log file exists and is writable.
 

dunedin

2.7K Posts

February 27th, 2007 18:00

It seems that WIndows Installer itself is not working
 
Go to Start/Run and type in:
msiexec /unregister
OK
Then Start/Run and type in:
msiexec /regserver
OK
 
OR
Line 94  left hand side
 
Save the REG File to your hard disk. Double click it and answer yes to the import prompt

elliotttg31

7 Posts

February 27th, 2007 19:00

well buddy, no go ...
the "msiexec /unregister, OK, Start/Run and type in: msiexec /regserver", and
Line 94  left hand side" did not work successfully.. I am tempted to rip a whole in my registry and mail it all back to Dell... not really:smileywink:
on on my way to the big bit bucket in the sky, not computer lie for me...
it probably take extensive time before i finger it out...not really take mme with a grain of salt:smileyvery-happy:

dunedin

2.7K Posts

February 27th, 2007 20:00

OK.  Here is a MS article with more ways to try to fix the Installer.
 
You might have to resort to Method2 and reinstall it
 

elliotttg31

7 Posts

February 28th, 2007 14:00

Well, looks like I am out of options other than to 
1. " reinstall your operating system..."
2. "or modify the registry at your own risk."
If I do not hear from you again, thank you for your time and effort.

dunedin

2.7K Posts

February 28th, 2007 15:00

2 last desperate options.  You will need your installation CD for both
 
1. Start/Run and type in
sfc /scannow  (there is a space before /)
OK
It will run and not give a report at the end.  You just have to check if problem is fixed.
 
 
If that does not help try a "Repair" of XP
A repair won't lose any data, other than Service Pack (if not on CD), any Windows Updates and unsigned drivers, which will need to be re-installed afterwards.

Stay offline to do a repair and do not go online again without a firewall enabled. After repairing XP, install Service Pack (if necessary), firewall and then you must install all Critical Updates next.
 
How to Repair XP
Boot up with the XP CD in the drive and let Setup run. Go past the first "R" repair option by pressing Enter just as if you're doing a clean install and you'll eventually come to an option to "Repair an existing installation". Select this one.
 
http://www.theeldergeek.com/repairing_windows_xp.htm
Scroll way down page to
Windows Installation CD - Repair Current Installation
 
And you are very welcome.
Apologies in advance if these do not work.  I don`t know any other ways to fix the Installer
 
Good luck

elliotttg31

7 Posts

February 28th, 2007 23:00


:smileysurprised:
"Start/Run, type in sfc /scannow, OK" did not work. +The program informed me it could not find four (4) other .dll files on my 'new' XP OS disk from DELL.
I am going to do some reseach reading on the registry, and look under some other rocks before I get into the "Repair" mode. Installing Operating Systems (~from scratch) has taken days for me in the past.

Was this post helpful?

View All

No Events found!

Top