.msi Installation Error

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Hi there.

Windows 8 Pro 64-bit has been operating well following a fresh install on a new rig but just recently I have an error when attempting to install .msi packages. The error message reads:
"There is a problem with this windows installer package. A DLL required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor."

And occasionally it is this:
"Installation directory must be on a local hard drive."

What have I tried?

  • I found a work-around in running the cmd prompt as administrator and using msiexec /i <appname> but this seems not to work for all .msi packages and it is no long-term solution.

  • I also read a suggestion on the MS Community Forum to reinstall the Windows Installer Redistributable via this link but this is version 4.5 from 2008 and apparently not suitable for Win 8. I haven't been able to locate a later version.

  • Lastly I tried a System File Check using sfc /scannow and it returned one corrupt file windows.ui.xaml.dll.mui, which was repaired so I am assuming this wasn't the problem.
Apparently this is a problem that others have experienced and Googling the error text gives a number of hits but few solutions (well none actually for Win 8 that have worked for me). So I am hoping someone on this forum can help me out.

Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro OEM 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Component Hybrid
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3770 3.4 GHz Quad-Core
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H-WB (WiFi)
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-1600C9D-16GXM 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon HD7870 2GB GHz OC Edition V2
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xonar Essence STX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2311H 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    OCZ Vertex 4 256GB (boot)
    PSU
    Corsair HX-750 V2 80 PLUS Gold
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4 Titanium Grey
    Cooling
    Stock CPU fan, 3 x Fractal Design Silent Series R2 140mm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    2 MB/Sec
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Win 8 stock
    Other Info
    My first computer build!
Just for kicks, try disabling your antivirus and see if it works. However, do this only if you trust the program's author.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Thanks for your reply
Do you mean disable Windows Defender? I don't have any 3rd party antivirus software for Win 8. In any case I disabled it and the problem persists.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro OEM 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Component Hybrid
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3770 3.4 GHz Quad-Core
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H-WB (WiFi)
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-1600C9D-16GXM 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon HD7870 2GB GHz OC Edition V2
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xonar Essence STX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2311H 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    OCZ Vertex 4 256GB (boot)
    PSU
    Corsair HX-750 V2 80 PLUS Gold
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4 Titanium Grey
    Cooling
    Stock CPU fan, 3 x Fractal Design Silent Series R2 140mm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    2 MB/Sec
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Win 8 stock
    Other Info
    My first computer build!
I was counting on the fact that you had Norton or McAfee installed because they have been known to cause problems with the Win 8 installer. Anyway, can you give us specific examples (eg, names) of those programs that are not installable via *.msi and, BTW, do you have any problems when installing via a standard executable (*.exe)?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hi. No problems in installing .exe files, providing I install as administrator. .msi files do not have this option unless you go via the cmd prompt. So it seems to have to do with permissions and perhaps also a missing .dll file.

It is all .msi files that I have this problem with. The latest one I've been trying to install is Guitar Rig 4, yesterday Ableton Live via download.

I'm just about done with Win 8. Another problem arose today where I cannot save filies to the downloads folder and I have been struggling with internet dropouts these last few days having to reset the wireless adapter every half hour or so.

I'm not sure if all of these issues are related by I must say Win 8 has been a frustrating experience for me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro OEM 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Component Hybrid
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3770 3.4 GHz Quad-Core
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H-WB (WiFi)
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-1600C9D-16GXM 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon HD7870 2GB GHz OC Edition V2
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xonar Essence STX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2311H 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    OCZ Vertex 4 256GB (boot)
    PSU
    Corsair HX-750 V2 80 PLUS Gold
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4 Titanium Grey
    Cooling
    Stock CPU fan, 3 x Fractal Design Silent Series R2 140mm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    2 MB/Sec
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Win 8 stock
    Other Info
    My first computer build!
There are many command variants that should work for you; however, if the actual program installer is not local (eg, in the internet cloud), then all bets are off. However, I did find an interesting piece of portable freeware that "claims" it can convert an msi file to an exe file here:

Convert MSI to EXE (Update: I couldn't find the actual download link)

It would be interesting to see if the above alternative works for you but I have no experience using it.

Other MSI to EXE converters:
http://msi-to-exe.winsite.com/
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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