What is Error 1603?

When installing software that is packaged using the Windows Installer, you may get an error 1603. The actual error message that displays is "error 1603: A fatal error occurred during installation". There are a few different things that cause this to occur.


Windows Installer and Encrypted folders
You can't install software packaged in the Windows Installer format into an encrypted folder.

Install the software into a different folder which does not have encryption turned on.
Remove the encryption and install the software again.

Windows Installer and Substituted Drives
You cannot install software packaged in the Windows Installer format to a drive that is substituted for another drive.

Try intalling the package into another non-substituted drive.
You can also un-substitute the drive you are installing to, and try again with the original drive letter. NOTE: This may cause some software to stop working.
Windows Installer and the SYSTEM account
The Windows Installer software uses the SYSTEM account for installation purposes. Because of this, it is necessary for the SYSTEM account to have full control to any folder you want to install to. You can ensure the SYSTEM account has the appropriate privileges as follows:

Double-click "My Computer".
Right click the drive you want to install the software to, and click "Properties".
Select the "Security" tab.
For Windows 2000, verify that the "Name" box has the "SYSTEM" user account in it.
For Windows XP, verify that the "Group or User Names" box has the "SYSTEM" user account in it.
If the "SYSTEM" user account does not appear, you must add it.

Click the "Add" button.
When the "Select Users or Group" dialog appears, Click "SYSTEM" in the "Name" field.

Click "Add".
Click "OK".
In the "Permissions" section, click the "Full Control" checkbox under "Allow" and then click on "Advanced". A dialog box will appear.
For using Windows XP, select the "Replace permission entries on all child objects with entries shown here that apply to child objects" checkbox next to the "SYSTEM" user account. Click "OK".
For other Windows systems,select the "Reset permissions on all child objects and enable propagation of inheritable permissions" checkbox next to the "SYSTEM" user account. Click "OK".
If a security dialog box pops up, ensure to click the "Yes" button.