Install Guide
MSI Return Code
An application event log entry is recorded in the SysMgmt.log le. The following table shows some of the error codes returned by the
msiexec.exe Windows Installer Engine.
Table 7. Windows Installer Return Codes
Error Code Value Description
ERROR_SUCCESS
0 The action is completed successfully.
ERROR_INVALID_PARAMETER
87 One of the parameters was invalid.
ERROR_INSTALL_USEREXIT
1602 The user canceled the installation.
ERROR_SUCCESS_REBOOT_REQUIRED
3010 A restart is required to complete the installation. This message is
indicative of a successful installation.
NOTE: For more information on all the error codes returned by the msiexec.exe and InstMsi.exe Windows Installer functions, see
support.microsoft.com.
System Recovery On Failed Installation
The Microsoft Software Installer (MSI) provides the ability to return a system to its fully working condition after a failed installation. MSI
does this by maintaining an undo operation for every standard action it performs during an install, upgrade, or uninstall. This operation
includes restoration of deleted or overwritten les, registry keys, and other resources. Windows temporarily saves all les that it deletes or
overwrites during the course of an installation or removal, so that they can be restored if necessary, which is a type of rollback. After a
successful installation, Windows deletes all of the temporary backup les.
In addition to the rollback of MSI Standard Actions, the library also has the ability to undo commands listed in the INI le for each
application if a rollback occurs. All les that are modied by the installation actions are restored to their original state if a rollback occurs.
When the MSI engine is going through the installation sequence, it ignores all actions that are scheduled as rollback actions. If a Custom
Action, MSI Standard Action, or a installation action fails, then a rollback starts.
You cannot roll back an installation once it is completed; transacted installation is only intended as a safety net that protects the system
during an installation session. If you want to remove an installed application, you should uninstall that application.
NOTE
: Driver installation and removal is not executed as part of the installation transaction and therefore cannot be rolled back if
a fatal error occurs during execution.
NOTE: Installations, uninstallations, and upgrades that you cancel during installer cleanup, or after the installation transaction is
completed, are not rolled back.
Failed Updates
Apply the MSI patches and updates provided by vendors to the original vendor MSI packages provided. If you intentionally or accidentally
repackage an MSI package, or make changes to it directly, patches and updates may fail. MSI packages must not be repackaged; doing so
changes the feature structure and Globally Unique Identier (GUID), which break any provided patches or updates. To make any changes to
a vendor-provided MSI package, use a .mst transform le.
NOTE
: A GUID is 128-bit long, and the algorithm used to generate a GUID guarantees unique GUID. The product GUID uniquely
identies the application.
Installing Managed System Software On Microsoft Windows Operating Systems 29