Outlook 2003 preparing for install popping up

[Paul D B]

Hi,

I did a full install of Office 2003 Standard - "full install" means
*everything* to run from the computer;

Yet each time I do certain actions in Outlook, a dialog pops ups saying
"Windows Installer - Preparing for install". The Floppy drive grinds a
few seconds, and after about 20 seconds the dialog disappears.

It happens when:
- I highlight or open a HTML format message
- I rightclick on a mail-address

I've ran the Repair function - didn't help.

Searched the web and found dozens of other people having the same
problem.... but not one solution!!

The only workaround seems to be to disable the Installer service - but
that looks like overkill to me.

Who can help?

TIA

 

[Vince Averello [MVP-Outlook]]

Usually that means that something installed after Office caused a change
that the Office installer is attempting to undo/fix.

 

[Paul D B]

Usually that means that something installed after Office caused a
change that the Office installer is attempting to undo/fix.

the problem started right after I installed Office 2003.
But I did install the latest Office patch - through Microsoft update.

Anyway, how do I get rid of it. How do I know what it is trying to
install?

 

[Paul D B]

the problem started right after I installed Office 2003.
But I did install the latest Office patch - through Microsoft update.

Anyway, how do I get rid of it. How do I know what it is trying to
install?

Really no-one that can help?

Yesterday I reïnstalled the entire Office 2003 suite. Choose custom
install and then "Run everything from this computer" . A bit of overkill
but I wanted to make sure I had all components.

Now, I still have the same problem!!

The "Preparing for install" pops up in two cases:

a) when rightclicking on an address in an e-mail (and then the
Preparing for install takes minutes, in the meantime Outlook is frozen!)
So, it has to do with Outlook trying to open the address card?

b) when previewing an html mail that contains some special stuff - still
haven't found out what makes them special (some html mails have the
problem, other don't). In this case, the Preparing for install pops up
but luckily takes only 5 or 10 seconds.

This is driving me nuts.
Outlook is looking for something that is missing, but what/why/when?
It doesn't say what, it doesn't ask for the CD - yet the floppy drive
grinds a few seconds.

BTW, I switched of the Spell Checker - makes no difference.

 

[Paul D B]

Just so that maybe one day someone experiencing the same problem can
solve his problem quicker than me:

I've solved it.

There were still remains of my old Office 2000 installation present.
I've cleaned it up using the Windows Installer Cleanup utility.

After that, everything works as it should. No more disturbing
"Preparing for install" pop-ups

 

[Guest]

Paul,

I have the same problem with all office apps after installing Office 2003.
Great to hear that you've found a solution, but where do I find the Windows
Installer Cleanup utility? Tks. Paul S