BUG: Error message when you try to install SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1: "Unable to install Windows Installer MSP file" (918357)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1
Bug #: 450020 (SQLBUDT)

Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

When you try to install Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1), you receive the following error message:

The following unexpected error occurred:
Unable to install Windows Installer MSP file

Shortly after you receive this error message, you receive another error message as follows:

A recently applied update, KB 913090, failed to install.
In the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 Setup dialog box, you notice that the status for Setup Support Files is Failure.

This problem is likely to occur when one of the following products is already installed:
  • SQL Server 2005 Express Edition SP1 - Community Technology Preview (CTP) March 2006
  • SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services - CTP March 2006
  • SQL Server Express Edition SP1
  • SQL Server Express with Advanced Services

CAUSE

The problem occurs because of one or both of the following reasons:
  • The SQL Server Setup Support files that are installed on the computer by one of the previously listed products are not compatible with the SQL Server Setup Support files that are included in SQL Server 2005 SP1. Therefore, SQL Server 2005 SP1 does not upgrade the SQL Server Setup Support files.
  • You do not have the Full Control permission on the following folder and on all the files in this folder:

    %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.X\MSSQL\Data

    Note MSSQL.X is a placeholder for the corresponding value for the system. You can locate MSSQL.X from the value of the MSSQLSERVER registry entry in the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\Instance Names\SQL\

WORKAROUND

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods, depending on the cause of the problem that is described in the "Cause" section.

Method 1: Grant the Full Control permission on the Data folder and on all the files in the Data folder

To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Open the following folder:

    %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.X\MSSQL

  2. Right-click the Data folder, and then click Sharing and Security.
  3. In the Properties dialog box, click the Security tab.
  4. Under Group or user names, click Administrators.
  5. Under Permissions for Administrators, click to select the Allow check box for the Full Control permission.
  6. Click OK.
  7. Open the Data folder.
  8. On the Edit menu, click Select All.
  9. On the File menu, click Properties.
  10. In the Properties dialog box, click the Security tab.
  11. Repeat steps 4 through 6.
  12. Reinstall SQL Server 2005 SP1.

Method 2: Install the correct version of the SQL Server Setup Support files

To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Export the MSIRefCount\Uninstall registry entry. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. Click Start, click Run, type Regedit, and then click OK to open Registry Editor.
    2. In Registry Editor, locate the following registry subkey:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Bootstrap\MSIRefCount

    3. In the right panel, click the Uninstall registry entry.
    4. On the File menu, click Export.
    5. Specify a location and a file name, and then click Save.
    Notice that the value of the MSIRefCount\Uninstall registry entry contains references to all the components that are dependant on the SQL Server Setup Support files.
  2. Uninstall the existing SQL Server Setup Support files by using Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel.

    Note When you try to uninstall the SQL Server Setup Support files, you receive a warning message that resembles the following:Warning 26002. The following products(s) is dependent on Microsoft SQL Server Setup Support Files (English). If you uninstall Microsoft SQL Server Setup Support Files (English), they will be broken. Please uninstall those product(s) first. Do you want to go ahead to uninstall Microsoft SQL Server Setup Support Files (English) anyway?When you receive this warning message, click Yes.
  3. Reinstall the 9.00.1399.06 version of the SQL Server Setup Support files. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. Open the Servers\Setup folder from the SQL Server 2005 installation media.

      Note If you use the SQL Server 2005 installation CDs, not the DVD, to install SQL Server 2005, the Setup folder that you must access is on the Servers CD.
    2. Double-click the SqlSupport.msi file to install the 9.00.1399.06 version of the SQL Server Setup Support files.
    3. Follow the installation wizard through the rest of the installation processes.
  4. Import the registry setting through the registry file that you saved in step 1.
  5. Reinstall SQL Server 2005 SP1.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/28/2006
Keywords:kbExpertiseAdvanced kbbug KB918357 kbAudDeveloper kbAudITPRO
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