Wndows Installer problem w/Office 2003 after sp2 install

[Odis]

I have looked at similar problems and none seem ot be helpful. Bare with me because I know just enough to completely destroy my PC. I am running Windows XP Pro on an HP Pavilion 510w, 33 gigHD, 256m memory, 1.2 ghz celeron processer. Here's the sequence of events

a) Replaced harddrive after crash, but had to partition 80gig drive to 33 gig for the HP Pavilion 510w I have.

b) Old drive stuff copied and all programs worked fine including Office Suite 2003.

c) Downloaded and installed Windows SP2 and the latest patch 10/08/2004, then all hell broke out.

d) I noticed the desktop Icons for Office products were white or blank. When I run them, the Windows Installer runs, then I get an error "This Patch Package could not be opened....". I click OK and the software (WORD) opens up anyway.

e) I tried uninstalling Office 2003 and reinstalling and this did not correct problem.

f) After reading another post, I realized i was doing all this as a User with Admin rights, so I logged on as Admin and tried to Uninstall Office 2003 Pro edition under ADD/REMOVE programs. It won't let me do it. I get "This Patch could not be opened........verify valid Windows Installer Package".

g) This is where I am now. I tyr to download patches for Office 2003 and get installer errors. I looked for a ner Windows Installer for XP and couldn't really find one?

THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE IN HELPING ME UNTANGLE THIS WEB I'VE CREATED!!!!!

 

[jimp56]

it sounds as if an office update was applied, then the source files were removed. in other words, if windows update or office update applied a patch, then occasionally office may need to read from the source files of the patch to keep everything sorted out if anything changes from the office install (add a new feature, etc) -- sooo, if an update was applied (prob from sp2) and if you or someone else mistakenly deleted the folder where the patch was installed from, it may give that error (just a guess). I would try to reapply any office updates if possible to see if that resolves issue.

also, review the event viewer to see if there were any related errors after sp2 install or recently. perhaps a DLL failed to register during all the myriads of updates that sp2 performs.

 

[bcastner]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301

 

[Odis]

I have another problem now. Before running the Windows Installer cleanup, I tried to re-install my Microsoft Office 2003 Pro and now the product key is invalid! It was valid before I got into this mess! What do you think happened? I'm afraid to run a cleanup that will remove Office if I can't load it back!

 

[bcastner]

What I did a longtime ago was make a desktop shortcut with the following target line:

%Windir%\Help\ntcmds.chm

This places the entire XP version of Help for command line utilities right on my desktop. I use it several times a week. (I do a similar step for the XP Resource Kit Help file, and the Windows 2003 Resource Kit). Recommended.

 

[linney]

See if you can adapt any of these suggestions.

310637 - Troubleshooting Invalid CD Key Error Message During Windows XP Setup

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310637&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

326904 - Error Message: The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326904&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Can't input a new product key code into Windows XP Pro.
thread779-712103

OFF: Error Message: This Patch Package Could Not Be Opened

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;295823

OFF2000: Error Message: The Installation Package Could Not Be Opened

http://support.microsoft.com/search...e=s&cat=false&query=236597&srch=sup&x=12&y=11

Error Message: 1635 This Patch Package Could Not Be Opened

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;812490

Have a look at the Office folders and confirm all the access permissions are correct.

 

[bcastner]

I have no idea how that post above appeared in this thread.