DOCUMENT:Q169123 09-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Error Message: Installation Failed While Installing from .INF PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When a user, who does not belong to the Administrators local group, tries to run an INF file by right-clicking the INF file and choosing the Install Context menu item, the following error message appears: Installation failed CAUSE ===== The Setupapi.dll that processes the INF files [DefaultInstall] section needs to write to the registry key HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\RunOnce to prepare the launch of Grpconv.exe when the installation script is completed. Because a user, not belonging to the Administrators local group, does not have full control permission to this registry key, the according API function, RegOpenKeyEx(), returns an error 5 (access denied). This error occurs when the Setupapi.dll attempts to open the key using the KEY_ALL_ACCESS flag. The Setupapi.dll in turn generates the error message "Installation failed." RESOLUTION ========== To prevent the error message described above, either log on with an administrative account or give the user in question (or the Users local group) full control permission to the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\RunOnce registry key. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. Additional query words: inf installation runonce prodnt ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 Version : winnt:4.0 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.