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Error 1631: The Windows Installer service failed to start (During installation)


This error is caused by an empty environment variable specified in the NT registry or a corrupt installation of the windows installer software.

NB: This is not a specific MindGenius problem - any application that is installed using the InstallShield/Windows Installer program will suffer from this problem.

  1. Null Environment Variables (NT only)
    See:     http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q251/2/74.ASP for the Microsoft article on the subject. Microsoft have a fix for this, though you need to contact them for it. The work around is to remove null environment variables. If your problem matches with the description in the MS support sheet above we suggest you get your internal IT involved as this problem will affect other applications.

  2. Refreshing the Windows Installer

    We have two suggested solutions, both of which are aimed at getting the later version of Windows Installer onto the computer:

    Try reinstalling Office 2000, then running the MindGenius set-up again. Alternatively, try removing Office 2000 completely, running the MindGenius, and then reinstalling Office 2000.

    If this doesn't work, or if you don't want to reinstall Office 2000:

    a.   Use the Find Files or Folders function to find msi.dll
    b.   Rename msi.dll to msi.dll.old
    c.   Delete msi.dll.
    d.   Note in Windows NT/2000 you must first shut down the Windows Installer service.
    e.   Run the MindGenius set-up again.