Software Unable to get software to run under Windows 8.1 Pro

telsave

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Hi

Here is an interesting problem which I would appreciate any help that can be given, sorry for this being a bit long but I have to try to give a full picture.

I had Windows 7 installed on my PC and upgraded that after a HDD problem which meant a format so upgrade appeared to be the correct course of action.

One of the programme I use on a regular basis is Web Content Studio which is installed using wcs-setup.msi file.

Under Windows 7 it ran without a problem however under 8.1 pro with media I cannot install the programme.

I have referred it to the vendor and he has tried to help as he runs the programme with no problem under 8.1 and so do many of his other customers.

The instructions on the download site are:- On windows 8, right click the icon you use to run WCS, select properties. Then on the Compatibility tab, select "Run this program as an Administrator". Save.

We have tried to run it as the administrator, this is the only way upgrades can be installed. I have also tried to run Windows Compatibility tool. However this does not appear to like msi files.

When I try to install the programme for the vendors site I get "Installation package can not be opened check that it is a windows installation package" which of course it is. I have tried emptying computer cache (all of it) and run a fresh install, I have attached images of the screen dump that follows this attempt, I have also attached a log file of the error I sent to the vendor.

Hopefully someone out there can offer some suggestions apart from throwing the computer out of the window, I really need this programme. I have run the install on my wife's Windows 7 PC with no problem this morning but ideally I would like to run it on mine as all my other information is held on the HDD.

many thnks
 

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Why did you even install Windows 8.1? 7 is better.

I would suggest disabling all the extra windows protection then trying this may be what is causing the issues I had something similar happen on a clients PC it was his AV
 
Hi Mortmaru

many thanks for taking time to try to help it is appreciated.

My sentiments exactly WHY? Oh! WHY? My son thought he was doing me a favour as he runs it on his PC etc and has no problems.

Can you give me a guide as to how to disable all the protections please.

Would appreciate it if you could take the time.

regards
 
Hi Manic01

I tried it and you are correct it made no difference I still got unable to open the package. I have attached the properties for the programme and as you can see it clearly states that it is a Windows Package.

Andy the vendor has just come back to me and suggests trying to disable the encryption. Beyond me but can you help please.



I have no idea David other than trying to disable the encryption that Windows 8 Pro uses to see if that is causing the problem. I am out of other ideas, sorry.

Andy

regards
 

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you have to disable driver signing

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You may not want to do this but why not just go back to Windows 7 with all the time wasted so far you could of spend hour or two and been back up and running.

i do think the software you are trying to use really isnt programmed to use windows 8

another thing to try is dowload the file again from another computer put it on usb drive and try it could be getting corrupt
 
Hi Bobby 123

Many thanks for that help I did carry it out the programme started to load then presented the error ' The cabinet file "disk 1.cab" required for this installation is corrupt and cannot be used. This could indicate a network error and error reading the CD Rom or a problem with the package'

As I have just downloaded and installed the same package onto a Windows 7 computer the package must be OK, I am not using a CD it is a direct download from the vendor website. If I press ignore I get FDI server error.

If you have any further ideas I would appreciate your help.

Much appreciate your help

regards
 
Hi Mortmaru

I am warming to formatting the drive and going back to '7' but am thinking of the work involved in re-installing all the programmes I have on the computer all necessary for business and I seem to lose something everytime I do this even though I try to check everything before starting.

The software does run on Windows 8 the vendor and many others successfully use the same download and install.

I will try downloading from another machine onto a flash drive and try it that way just to see as I say it installed perfectly on my wife's PC yesterday.

Your help is always appreciated.

regards
 
Maybe I'm missing something here but just a couple of points:

a) You have actually disabled Windows Smart Screen?
b) Have you checked the msi installer version, is it x64 or x86. If you have x64 and trying to install it on an x86 platform you will get that message (and sometimes vice versa depending on the package, but it's rare)
c) You infer you did an 'upgrade' If you did, I'm going to assume the application was already previously installed? If so, have you removed all the files from the APPDATA\Local locations?
 
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Hi Exos

Many thanks for you input

I have disabled Windows Smart Screen I have just checked to make sure.

Sorry for my ignorance how would I check if msi file is 64 or 86 when you are installing it automatically goes to the 86 programme directory.

When I run the install it gets most of the way through then comes up with this cab file error, yet the same programme installs on a windows 7 without problem. I know it runs under win 8 as Andy the vendor who I have dealt with for 8 years keeps updating to ensure that his software is OK for every OS.

Trouble is I am non -technical and I rely on the technical brains of the friends in this forum to help which is why I really appreciate any help given.

regards
 
Eureeeeeeka!

Many thanks to all those friends who have taken time out to try to help me.

I have finally got the software installed and running under Windows 8, It is offering an update but I am nervous about updating in case it throws up another error I will contact And the vendor first after I have done some work that is. Good job I have no boss (apart from her indoors)

Again I really appreciate all that has been said

regards
 
good to read you go it working the update may help sometime ith software the base is only posted on the site and then updates are applied over the net through the software which could help issues so I would say do it.

if you are worried create a restore point before hand so you can roll back if need be.

You should also create a backup image of the drive here is a few names that offer the software for free paragon, macrium, acronis
 
Did you find out the cause?

Also, as said I would take a system image or take a 'system restore' snapshot before you make any changes to it.
 
The problem you originally had was probably down to user account control settings. This is the same thing as windows 7, except that just comes up with a box you can click on.

To disable it in windows 8.1 goto control panel, user accounts then click on "change user account control settings" and slide it to the bottom (never notify).

This setting stops you installing programs windows doesnt want you to install (the default setting) when you choose "never notify" windows 8/8.1 will not stop you at all.

This does lower your security within windows, but if you have a good anti virus/malware protection the windows protection is not needed.
 
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