I had 6.2.19 running fine under Windows XP but not as a service. I probably installed it wrong. When I reinstalled I used 6.2.18 in error. When I try now to reinstall 6.2.19 I get an error saying "Another version of this product is already installed. Installation of this version cannot continue. To configure or remove the existing version of this product, use Add/Remove Programs on the Control Panel."

Did that to no avail. I can install any version I want to except 6.2.19 (I haven't tried the beta versions).

What's getting in the way?

Possibly a corrupt .msi file (the installer) that's in your way.

You can try these:
1. Use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to get rid of the corrupt BOINC installer. If it gives you two to choose from, uninstall through Add/Remove Programs the one you have on your system first.

2. Uninstall BOINC through Add/Remove Programs.
Reboot the computer into Safe Mode.

Use Search for files and maps to look up boinc.msi
Choose all of them in the list that it throws up (they'll reside in C:\Windows\Downloaded Installations\*) and delete them. Empty the Trashcan as well.

Reboot the computer into normal Windows and try again.

If it still doesn't work, use regedit to open the registry and remove the following key only: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Space Sciences Laboratory, U.C. Berkeley\BOINC Setup\RETURN_VALIDATEINSTALL

---

Thanks for responding Jord.

I left my laptop running BOINC 6.2.18 last night. When I came down this morning I saw your note and then found BOINC was not running ... then noticed the service wasn't even listed. When I went into add/remove, BOINC wasn't there. I only had two glasses of wine last night.

So ... I tried the other things you suggested and even went a step beyond. I deleted everything in the registry that said "BOINC". I got rid of the BOINC releated MSI's and emptied the RB.

Installing 6.2.19 still did the same thing. I reinstalled 6.2.18 with no problem and it's running now as a service. I'll see what happens.

My next try at 6.2.19 might involve all of the above plus deleting everything on the machine that appears to have anything at all to do with BOINC including project data.

I'm not a technical expert but I'm far (IMO) from being a computer illiterate. This baffles the hell out of me.

- Dick

Possibly a corrupt .msi file (the installer) that's in your way.

You can try these:
1. Use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to get rid of the corrupt BOINC installer. If it gives you two to choose from, uninstall through Add/Remove Programs the one you have on your system first.

2. Uninstall BOINC through Add/Remove Programs.
Reboot the computer into Safe Mode.

Use Search for files and maps to look up boinc.msi
Choose all of them in the list that it throws up (they'll reside in C:\Windows\Downloaded Installations\*) and delete them. Empty the Trashcan as well.

Reboot the computer into normal Windows and try again.

If it still doesn't work, use regedit to open the registry and remove the following key only: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Space Sciences Laboratory, U.C. Berkeley\BOINC Setup\RETURN_VALIDATEINSTALL

Greetings Jord,

How are you, my old friend? ;)

My girlfriend is having a similar problem, in that she cannot get v6.2.19 to install. Here are some specifics about her system:

----------
AuthenticAMD
AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+ [x86 Family 15 Model 43 Stepping 1]

Operating System:
Microsoft Windows XP
Professional Edition, Service Pack 3, (05.01.2600.00) (Media Center Edition)
----------

She has tried uninstalling v5.XX.XX and installing v6.2.19. It gets to the data migration point and errors out. I don't remember the specific error message. She has tried this several times with no success. I have had no problem with v6.2.19. I don't think she deletes any data files. I will get more info from her when she is awake.

A recommendation:
Instead of using Add/Remove Programs or an application's uninstall utility, I recommend using Revo Uninstaller. It uses the applications uninstall utility or if not present, will attempt it's own uninstall. Once the app is uninstalled it goes a few steps further. It scours the hard drive and registry for any remnants left behind. It will remove registry entries and any files, used for running the app. It will not remove data files or other files created by the user. This way, if a re-install is done, the data is still there for the user. The user will have to remove those on their own if no longer needed.

Revo is freeware and comes highly recommended by PC World magazine. I found out about it by reading an article in my mag. I use it all the time. I haven't used Add/Remove Programs since I got Revo, it's way too lame to use.

I hope a solution can be found for those experiencing problems installing v6.2.19. I have to go now Jord. Take care, my friend.

Siran d'Vel'nahr

[edit]
The error message given, during the data migration segment, is that the installation has been "interrupted". No reason is given nor specifics of any kind. Will add more info if/when it becomes available.
[/edit]

Siran d'Vel'nahr

---

CMDR. Siran d'Vel'nahr XO
USS Vre'kasht NCC-33187
Sixth Fleet (R6), STARFLEET (SFI)

Siran's BOINC Web Site

Greetings,

Micro$oft displays a BIG RED FLAG on the use of Windows Installer CleanUp Utility:

----------
Warning The Windows Installer CleanUp Utility is provided "as is" to help resolve installation problems for programs that use Microsoft Windows Installer. If you use this utility, you may have to reinstall other programs. Caution is advised. ...
----------

I would NOT use a utility that *MAY* mess with programs other than that which a person is trying to install. How the H**L can Micro$oft even think anyone will use such a utility?!?

Siran d'Vel'nahr

[edit]
Inadvertently used the word "uninstall". Edited the "un" out.
[/edit]

Siran d'Vel'nahr

---

CMDR. Siran d'Vel'nahr XO
USS Vre'kasht NCC-33187
Sixth Fleet (R6), STARFLEET (SFI)

Siran's BOINC Web Site

Nice to see you again as well, Rick. :-)

It scours the hard drive and registry for any remnants left behind. It will remove registry entries and any files, used for running the app. It will not remove data files or other files created by the user. This way, if a re-install is done, the data is still there for the user. The user will have to remove those on their own if no longer needed.

Did you ever test this uninstaller with BOINC 6.2? I ask as the BOINC accounts made for running BOINC 6.2 when running as a service (protected application execution) aren't the same as the account that runs the installer/uninstaller, or this program.

On another note, Freeware is something different than Open Source, so it's doubtful that Berkeley is interested. But I'll ask Rom to come take a look anyway.

As for the Microsoft Installer Cleanup Utility's warning message, it's because this program will remove any .MSI file that you point it at. I give the same warning in my post and in the FAQ, if in doubt, don't use it. But other than that, it's quite harmless. As is fdisk, as is the format command. :-)

---

Commander Siran and Jord,

I am getting the same installer error when I try to upgrade from 5.10.30. I can uninstall the older version with no problems but either an upgrade install or a clean install (after the manual uninstall and reboot) fails.

My PC has an Athlon 64 3200+ processor running XP Pro SP-3. I have installed the Microsoft Cleanup Utility, but it doesn't find anything unusual.

I can re-install and run 5.10.30 mostly without problems, but it is getting a bit out of date. I have 6.2.19 running on a Dell Dimension PC with a Pentium 4 running Windows 2000 SP-4. I won't call it old in case it decides to retire... but that's been more reliable, BOINC-wise. Both PCs are running the Climate Change experiment.

Thanks for any suggestions.

David

---

--
David Briggs Software Services
Birmingham, U.K.

Can you install 5.10.45 first, see if that breaks the spell?

Does the install fail with a specific error?

---