MAKEMSI quickly and reliably creates MSI files in a non-programmatic way\Windows Installer BasicsReturn Codes and Error Codes or TextError Codes

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Windows Installer Error Codes

These codes are not return codes from "MSIEXEC.EXE", but MAKEMSI may display them (typically with descriptive text) during a build or you may see them in verbose logs of installs. You may also see descriptive text possibly filled in with parameters or perhaps only the parameters listed.

If you don't like the descriptive text being display for build issues you should check out the build error templates configuration section.

The "COMPANY.MMH" header file alters some typically existing message and adds some other install time issues I have encountered. You can add any message you wish or alter existing ones to perhaps meet the needs of a specific MSI, see the "Z: Available?" launch condition section for an example of this.

See the links below for some sites that document some of these codes however here are my comments on some of these codes:

1. 1327 - Invalid Drive: [2]
2. 1335 - The cabinet file '[2]' required for this installation is corrupt and cannot be used. This could indicate a network error, an error reading from the CD-ROM, or a problem with this package
3. 1719 - The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed...
4. 1720 - There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A script required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor. Custom action [2] script error [3], [4]: [5] Line [6], Column [7], [8]
5. 1904 - Module [2] failed to register. HRESULT [3].
6. 1909 - Could not create Shortcut [2]. Verify that the destination folder exists and that you can access it.
7. 2203 - Note: 1: 2203 2: [[MSI]] 3: [[RC]]
8. 2205 - Database: [2]. Table does not exist: [3]
9. 2213 - Database: [2]. Error saving database tables
10. 2228 - Database: [2]. Unknown table '[3]' in SQL query: [4]
11. 2262 - Stream does not exist: [2]. System error: [3]
12. 2705 - Invalid table: [2]; Could not be linked as tree
13. 2716 - Could not create a random subcomponent name for component '[2]'
14. 2728 - Table definition error: Component
15. 2731 - Selection Manager not initialized
16. 2762 - Cannot write script record. Transaction not started
17. 2826 - Control [3] on dialog [2] extends beyond the boundaries of the dialog [4] by [5] pixels

Note that I am in no way trying to suggest that the only reason the above error codes get generated are for the reasons I document. The problem will frequently be exactly what it sounds like, I am simply documenting some reasons I have found which are not obvious.

Other Links to Error Related Information

• AppDeploy.com Error Reference
  This has some specific information for some errors (the ones with green text).

• InstallSite Runtime Errors forum
  A forum you can search or where you can ask questions.

• http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/search.aspx?q=1935&p=1
  The first installment is some detailed information about the dreaded 1935 (or 2908) error that sometimes happens when trying to install the .NET Framework or other MSI-based products that install managed assemblies to the GAC

• http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa368542.aspx
  List of "MSIEXEC.EXE" return codes.

• http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa372835.aspx
  List of Windows Installer Error Codes and Messages. This lists error messages but doesn't explain them...

Please email me any feedback, additional information or corrections. See this page online (look for updates) MAKEMSI© is (C)opyright Dennis Bareis 2003-2008 (All rights reserved). Wednesday June 25 2008 at 7:16pm Visit MAKEMSI's Home Page