Setup "activates" but doesn't install the program

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Setup "activates" but doesn't install the program

(13 posts) (8 voices)

Started 8 years ago by Null
Latest reply from TheHub

Null
Member

I'm not sure where the problem lies, but for the last two GAOTDs (WinUtilities Pro and Liquid Sky Writer) I cannot install the software.

I download the zip file, extract the contents, go to the folder in question, read the README, then double-click the setup.exe file. After a moment, a screen informs me that the software was successfully registered, but no program appears either in the program groups or listed in Programs and Features.

Any idea what might be causing this? Clearly it's not a universal problem as others are able to install without issue, judging from the comments.

Thanks in advance.

Posted 8 years ago #
ChrisS
Administrator

Your security software is preventing the installation of the program. You might find something in your security logs.

Either:
- temporarily disable your security to install the program; or
- reboot in "safe mode with networking", install the program, reboot normally

Whether you have to reboot in "safe mode with networking" or not depends on your security software.

Posted 8 years ago #
JLewis
Member

Someone please help before expiration period for today's WinUtilities!

I've Downloaded from the e-mail link, ok, unzipped and ran setup as admin with antivirus, win defender and firewall disabled on a win 7 pro 64 machine with all updates ok. Before unwrapping, it says the file is corrupted and to get another copy. Also, after that, even though nothing was installed, it says it was registered "successfully". I've downloaded it several times and repeated the process to no effect. Anyone knows what's going on and to workaround this short of rebooting in safe mode just to install some software!?
Many thanks.

Posted 8 years ago #
ChrisS
Administrator

If you're using Kaspersky then you can also select "Settings : General", Turn Protection Off, reboot, install the program and then turn protection back on once the program installs.

In either case, the PC must start without Kaspersky loading or it will prevent the software from installing.

Posted 8 years ago #
JLewis
Member

Thank you very much for the keen and timely observation, I will try that as I am actually using Kaspersky (forgot to mention before!)

Posted 8 years ago #
JLewis
Member

Worked perfectly, thank you again for your time!

Posted 8 years ago #
mikiem2
Moderator

Anyone knows what's going on and to workaround this short of rebooting in safe mode just to install some software!?

Chris gave you a possible work-a-round that'll hopefully work for you.

RE: the 1st part of your question, it seems that **some** security software interferes with [as in stops] the software installation. Considering the total number of downloads relatively few people have problems, but you'll find discussion, tests etc. in several of the threads here in the forum -- they might give you a bit more background &/or insight if you're curious.

Otherwise the goal is to allow the installation program to run when the GOTD setup.exe starts it. Safe Mode is one way that often works, &/or if you're running Kaspersky you can try the suggestion that Chris posted, or quite possibly upgrading to 10 might work. A couple folks have posted what worked for them running AVG in those other threads. I haven't had any problems with McAfee, but I rarely run a GOTD in the copies of Windows where I have that installed. I haven't had any problems in my VMs [where I normally run GOTD offers] running AVG or Security Essentials. Bitdefender rarely gives me any hassles, but again I don't run GOTD offers all that often in my regular [not VM] copies of win7 or 10 where I run Bitdefender. When Bitdefender does act up however, Safe Mode is the only alternative AFAIK -- I can't disable its services outside of Safe Mode.

Edit: While I was typing that I see you posted it worked -- Great!

Posted 8 years ago #
Null
Member

Thanks for the various suggestions...I use AVG, so next time I want to get a GAOTD I'll disable AVG first.

I saw another suggestion here that said to get the executable from the official website, and use the GAOTD code to register, and that worked for me yesterday.

Thanks again, all.

Posted 8 years ago #
pandapal
Member

I've had the same experience with most of the giveaways the past couple of weeks. As noted above, AVG is often the culprit. I disable it for 10 minutes & the programs usually install just fine. If not, I then disable 360 Total Security & try again. If it still won't install, I disable Zemana AntiLogger. That's as far as I've ever had to go before I can get a good install.

Hope this helps.

Posted 8 years ago #
Flib Gibbet
Member

Along similar lines, I've recently been getting the "Failed to launch the program" error when trying to install giveaways, whereas it used to work without a problem. I'm using Panda AV and turning that off before running setup.exe and turning it back on again immediately after does the trick.

Posted 8 years ago #
jamiea
Member

I've had the same problem as the OP for the past several games and today again. None of the suggestions on the game threads or the three forum threads or FAQ have helped, nor other tweaks I've come up with myself. I'm glad the suggestions are working for some others.

As another user posted, it looks like I won't be able to use GOTD anymore after many appreciative years. :( Hope a solution turns up but doesn't appear likely at this point.

Jamie

Posted 8 years ago #
ChrisS
Administrator

Your problem, and that of the OP, arise when the program's installation routine ends abnormally. The wrapper usually prevents error codes from escaping but check Event Viewer to see if there's a clue. If not, the most likely causes of the problem are (a) your security system is preventing the installation, (b) you recently updated a driver and it's not entirely compatible, and (c) there's something wrong with the Windows Installer.

The most common cause is the security and booting in "safe mode with networking" to install the program gets around the problem if temporarily disabling the security isn't sufficient. It's fairly easy to tell if the Windows Installer has a problem - download and install some programs. If you're unsure about the drivers, backup your system and either use "System Restore" or load a backup from a month or two ago. If the GOTD program will install on a older version of your system then you'll need to find out what changed in the interim.

Posted 8 years ago #
TheHub
Member

Thanks for the various advice here. I use AVG (free version) and have found a way to install GOTD software that suits me. I have created a specific folder for GOTD software which is where I download the zip file to. I call this GOTD SW. I can then extract the zip into it's own file folder. I have then created an exception in AVG for the GOTD SW folder and it's contents. Once the software has registered and installed, I can then delete the contents of that folder.

This seems to work for me.

Posted 8 years ago #

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