FIX: "This action is only valid for products currently installed" error message after you install two major software updates for a product on Windows XP SP2 by using Windows Installer 3.0 (893048)

SYMPTOMS

After you install two major software updates for a product on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), any later installation operations are unsuccessful. When this problem occurs, you receive the following error message:

This action is only valid for products currently installed

Note A software update includes repairs, removals, or additional software update applications that you apply to the product. A major upgrade is a comprehensive update of a product that warrants a change in the ProductCode property.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Date          Time   Version        Size       File name
 --------------------------------------------------------------
25-Jan-2005   14:52  1.0.0.0       1,089,264   Windowsxp-kb893048-x86-enu.exe 
25-Jan-2005   14:50  1.0.0.0         929,520   Windowsxp-kb893048-x86-symbols-enu.exe
25-Jan-2005   17:12  3.0.3790.2601 2,804,736   Msi.dll

Note The Windowsxp-kb893048-x86-enu.exe file is the hotfix installer. The Windowsxp-kb893048-x86-symbols-enu.exe file is the installer for the hotfix symbol file that is named Msi.pdb. You do not have to install the Windowsxp-kb893048-x86-symbols-enu.exe file