Outlook tries to install MS Word and VS .NET and fails

[Andrew]

Running Outlook 2003, XP Pro SP2, MS Office 2003 Professional, VS .NET 2002

Occasionally when I try to open an email, Outlook tries to install MS Word
as my email reader - it then tries to install VS.NET and gives the error
message "Error 1706 No valid source could be found for product Visual Studio
..NET Professional - English. The Windows installer cannot continue. It then
reverts to a dialogue box entitled "Windows Installer" with the message
reparing to install.." after which it does nothing at all. I have to crash
Outlook to continue.

The emails appear in the reading pane fine, but simply won't open. And why
on earth does outlook try to install VS.NET?

How can I turn this bizarre "feature" off and just read my emails in the
usual way?

TIA
Andrew

 

[Pike]

Running Outlook 2003, XP Pro SP2, MS Office 2003 Professional, VS .NET
2002

Occasionally when I try to open an email, Outlook tries to install MS Word
as my email reader - it then tries to install VS.NET and gives the error
message "Error 1706 No valid source could be found for product Visual
Studio .NET Professional - English. The Windows installer cannot continue.
It then reverts to a dialogue box entitled "Windows Installer" with the
message reparing to install.." after which it does nothing at all. I
have to crash Outlook to continue.

The emails appear in the reading pane fine, but simply won't open. And why
on earth does outlook try to install VS.NET?

How can I turn this bizarre "feature" off and just read my emails in the
usual way?

TIA
Andrew

I'm having a problem with the installer also when I check for mail. In my
case, it doesn't say anything other than, "preparing to install..." and I
don't know what it wants to install.

No help for your problem, however, the answer to yours, will probably solve
mine.

Pike

 

[Andrew]

At least I know it isn't just me! That's a start I guess.

 

[Andrew]

OK, I've found a workaround, which is to disable the Windows Installer
service. Outlook tries to fire it up, then gives up. Doesn't seem right
though.

 

[Pike]

Andrew, how did you disable it?

OK, I've found a workaround, which is to disable the Windows Installer
service. Outlook tries to fire it up, then gives up. Doesn't seem right
though.