Installation fails with "internal error 2502"

[Ian.W]

I have a client running Windows Vista Home Premium Edition (32 bit) and my app's CVI-built installer fails with "Internal Error 2502".

This installation kit has been successfully deployed on hundreds of computers with various versions of Windows and I have never seen this one. No device drivers or advanced libraries - just the standard runtime. I use CVI 9.0.1.

Searches reveal very little - some old issues with Office installation, date/time settings etc. but I have yet to find anything that indicates what this error represents.

Any insights or ideas very welcome.

Thanks,

Ian

[Ian.W]

Update: The same problem happens when they try to install the full 9.0.1 runtime engine from the NI download page. The "Internal Error 2502" appeared ~8 times, and they clicked "Continue" for each one until a final installer message appeared with the title "Installation Failed" and "The installer had an error during the install of LabWindows/CVI. Please go to http://www.ni.com/support to look for solutions and report problems."

And here we are ... 

--Ian

[Mert_A.]

That appears to be a Windows Installer (MSI) error, and can have many different causes. Can you confirm that anyWindows installers (perhaps try newest Adobe Reader) work on that system? Is the system's date/time set correctly? Could there be a permissions restriction with C:\Windows\system32 or C:\Programs\National Instruments\Shared?

I'd also try doing an internet search for "installer error 2502" and see what other tips you might find. If all else fails, try running the installer from the command line like this:

setup.exe /log install_log.txt

That will generate a log file that might contain a hint for us.

Mert A.

National Instruments

[Ian.W]

Mert,

Indeed the Acrobat Reader install failed, so it is not just my problem. If you have a moment to take a look, I have posted their install log (install_log_ian.txt) on the incoming FTP server in case you can find a clue to point us in a hopeful direction.

Thanks,

Ian

[Mert_A.]

It appears to be a fairly common problem: the conjunction of errors 2503 and 2502. The error codes themselves do not really help much to explain what is going on, but searching the web, it appears that one of two actions seems to be prescribed:

1. Make sure the system clock is set correctly.

2. Make sure permissions on the C:\Windows\Installer folder are set correctly (see http://forums.techarena.in/windows-update/679438.htm for)

My guess is the second one will solve your problem.

Mert A.

National Instruments

[Ian.W · Accepted solution]

Thanks Mert. It looks like #2 (permissions) problems were part of it, and perhaps other virus-related issues. He is going to re-pave that machine from scratch. Case closed.