Adobe Flash msi failing to install over and over

[Darylrese]

This is driving me nuts!

 

I allocated out a GPO to all workstations with the lastest version of flash, all work fine except mine. It failed to install with error 1603. I have tried running the .msi directly from the share and it failes to remove the old version of flash saying its missing:

 

 

I have tried downloading the msi for the version its asking for and pointing it to that msi but it says it doesnt contain the correct version and fails with this error:

 

 

This msi retrys every 10mins or so to install and fails and everytime i reboot i have to wait for it to try and install again.

 

I have managed to install flash from the .exe online manually but i'd rather get the MSI on successfully and stop the delays and errors in eventviewer.

 

How can i get this working? The GPO is allocated at top level for all machines to pick up, mine included so i cant remove it for the sake of my machine.

Edited December 5, 2012 by Darylrese

[jjohnsoncantell]

I believe there is a removal tool on the adobe website to get rid of it completely so you can reinstall. Cant remember the link im afraid but its there somewhere.

[AngryTechnician]

Try using this: Windows Installer CleanUp Utility. Pretty sure that's how we fixed it when we had this problem in the past.

 

Note that Microsoft no longer support the use of this tool, which is why I haven't provided a Microsoft link.

 

The real problem is that the Flash .msi isn't a true .msi, it just wraps the .exe installer. Wrapped .exe installers are always unreliable and Adobe need to kill it with fire and make a real installer. Or kill Flash. I'm not fussy really.

Edited December 5, 2012 by AngryTechnician

[sonofsanta]

+1 for the Windows Installer Clean Up Utility; also works for similar Java problems. Has to be done on a case by case basis but does work.

[Darylrese]

it doesnt appear in the list Get a different error running the msi now too:

 

[Darylrese]

The adobe removal tool fixed it, cheers

[sted]

Wouldbit complain about something like flashax isnot set for removal in the eventlog? I had that fixed with a reg hack at shutdown

[Cache]

Alternative to the Windows Installer Cleanup that I've been using is the Microsoft FixIt: Fix problems with programs that can't be installed or uninstalled

 

Been using it for Java install issues where I screwed up my first package and some machines installed it before I fixed it.

[pete]

You might find it easier to host the flash update(s) on an internal server and just push an mms.cfg to clients using GPP.

 

You'll need the .cab file from the corporate updates site, a webserver with an SSL cert that the clients trust and a modified mms.cfg that points clients at your inhouse server.

 

Page 19 of the Flash Player Admin guide covers it in more detail. Adobe Flash Player Administration Guide for Flash Player 11.5 | Adobe Developer Connection