Internal Error 2503/2502

Question

Win 7 Ult 64-bit:

On random installs i get the above error msg w/ 1 of the 2 codes listed..... here is what i have done:

-Checked Windows Installer, it is set to manual

-cleared out all those install files

-tried to locate the reg files used to correct this similar issue on previous versions on Wins, no luck on that

I am pretty computer literate(minor repair as a hobby, build my own machine/family machines), but since about the time wins 7 came out I have had little time to really dig into wins 7, so have been restricted to mostly a user the last 6 months or so. I have reached the extent of my knowledge on correcting this particular issue.

oh, and to add.... I tried to install and run the windows clean up utility and it gives the same error while in setup  =D

Answer 1

Hi Tynne,

·        What are you trying to install?

·        Did you get any error message along with the error code?

·        Did you make any changes on your computer prior to this issue?

Let’s try these steps and check if it helps.

Method 1

Unregister Windows Installer, and then reregister Windows Installer. To do this, follow these steps:

1. On the "Start" menu, click "Run.
2. In the "Open" box, type "msiexec /unreg", and then press ENTER.
3. On the "Start" menu, click "Run".
4. In the "Open" box, type "msiexec /regserver", and then press ENTER.

Method 2

Check permissions within the Installer folder. To do this, follow these steps.

1.     Click on Start and in the Start Search bar > type in > c: /windows/installer.

2.     Right click on c: /windows/installer at the top under programs and click properties.

3.     Click on the security tab > Verify if System and Administrator account has Full access permissions.

4.     The Everyone account should have read and execute permissions, List Folder Contents, and Read.

Method 3

Also run an online virus scan from the link given below as it sometimes cause due to virus. If you have any antivirus software installed on your computer please install the latest update for the software so that it works properly.

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-nz/default.htm?mkt=en-nz

Hope the information helps. Please post back and let us know.

Regards

Debleena S

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Answer 2

I am having a similar problem as OP.

Have been running Windows 7 Professional for months without problems.

Suddently, I cannot install or uninstall any programs.  This occurred after I tried to upgrade from Trend Micro 2010 to the 2011 version.  Also had a Abode Acrobat upgrade that I was trying to install.

Here is what happens when I try to uninstall a program from Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features window.

• Windows Installer tries to launch (says preparing to remove)
• (says Please wait while Windows configures.  Green bar starts (says gathering information)
• Get the 2503 error followed by 2502 error.
• Click OK on the two error dialogs and process ends

I tried Method 1 above.  (did not reboot).  Tried to uninstall a program.  Same behavior as above.

I tried Method 2 above.  I do not have c: /windows/installer folder on my system.

• Is that the problem?  If so, how do I solve that?

Thanks.

Mirador PDX

Answer 3

Despite error messages when changing the permissions, changing the permissions of the installer folder (and running the driver install as administrator) allowed me to install the driver.

Thank you very much!

Answer 4

I ran into the same problem with locating the C:\windows\installer directory. For some reason Windows Explorer wouldn't show it even though I don't have it hidden.

I ended up using a different application to locate the directory. (In this case ExplorerXP. I've also verified that Free Commander can see it as well)

Once I located the directory I was able to reset the permissions and now applications that were failing during the install went in normally.

Free commander is available at portableapps.com and ExplorerXP is available at http://www.explorerxp.com/

Answer 5

thanks for the ExploreXP tip - located Installer directory, reset permissions, and now everything works again. :)