Thoughts about setup and deployment issues, WiX, XNA, the .NET Framework and Visual Studio
All postings are provided AS IS with no warranties, and confer no rights. Additionally, views expressed herein are my own and not those of my employer, Microsoft.
I’ve heard from a few customers over the past few days who have had trouble installing the new 2009 version of TurboTax. In the cases I’ve heard about so far, the installer for TurboTax reports that the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is not correctly installed and instructs the user to re-install it. Unfortunately, attempts to uninstall and re-install the .NET Framework did not help in some of these cases.
Behind the scenes, it appears that TurboTax setup is running a verification process that is similar to the .NET Framework setup verification tool. This verification process checks that files and registry keys that should be installed by the .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 setup packages are correctly installed on the computer. It is possible for the .NET Framework to be installed but for some of the files and/or registry values to have been removed by some other program (such as a registry cleaner tool, a disk cleanup tool, or even manual deletion by the user).
If TurboTax reports a problem with the .NET Framework 3.5, it suggests that you try to uninstall and re-install the .NET Framework 3.5. However, the exact steps needed to do this depend on what version of Windows you are running, and this has ended up causing confusion for the users I’ve heard from so far because the different steps aren’t very well documented in general.
For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003
If you are running a version of Windows before Windows Vista (such as Windows XP or Windows Server 2003), then in most cases, you can use the entry in Add/Remove Programs to repair the .NET Framework 3.5 or 3.5 SP1. If that doesn’t help, then you can use the steps in this blog post to remove and then re-install the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1.
For Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008
If you are running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008, then the .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 are installed as OS components. As a result, the repair steps are more complicated. You will need to try the following:
For Windows 7
If you are running Windows 7, then the .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 are all installed as OS components, and you cannot remove or re-install these versions using the Programs and Features control panel. On Windows 7, this is your only built-in repair option:
Run sfc.exe /scannow to attempt to repair the files that are a part of your OS (which will also repair some parts of the .NET Framework).
What to do if the above doesn’t help
Unfortunately, sfc.exe will only repair files that are protected by Windows Resource Protection. For the .NET Framework, only binary files that can be repaired using sfc.exe. Non-binary files (such as .config files) and registry keys cannot be repaired using sfc.exe. For non-binary files, the only options are to manually replace them with files from other computers or to repair your OS. For registry keys, the only options are to manually re-create them in regedit.exe or to repair your OS.
Here are some steps I’ve been able to use to narrow down the exact missing files and/or registry keys that cause TurboTax setup to think that the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is not correctly installed:
From the information in this log file, it is usually possible to figure out what files and/or registry keys need to be manually repaired on the computer. So far, the cases I’ve seen reported missing .config files and we have been able to get TurboTax setup to run correctly after copying the .config files from another computer or downloading them from here and putting them in the locations reported in this log file.
If you run into problems getting TurboTax 2009 setup to run correctly due to errors related to the .NET Framework 3.5, I encourage you to try the steps above. If they don’t help, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment on my blog and/or contact me and I’ll try to help as best as I can.
<update date="2/3/2010"> Added a link to a zip file that I posted with the .config files that have been causing the majority of the issues with TurboTax setup that I've seen so far. </update>
Thank you, Aaron! You are the best! The missing files were the cause of my problem.
Tina
I had the same problem with the Turbo tax. So I went on the internet (before I discover this site)and look for solution. Some one suggest to uninstall all the version (2, 3 and 3.5). I did. But now I can not reinstall these version for some reason starting with .net framework 2.0 service pack 2. I have the following error log message. Please help. Thanks Aaron.
[01/27/10,10:06:08] Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0a: [2] Error: Installation failed for component Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0a. MSI returned error code 1603
[01/27/10,10:07:41] WapUI: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0a is not installed.
[01/27/10,10:53:56] VS Scenario: [2] *** Blocking Components exist and must be satisified before continuing to install ***
[01/27/10,10:53:56] VS Scenario: [2] Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP2
[01/27/10,10:53:56] VS Scenario: [2] *** End of Blocking Component List ***
[01/27/10,10:54:15] VS Scenario: [2] Failed to pass the Warnings/Blocks checks in CVSScenario::Start()
[01/27/10,10:57:06] Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0a: [2] Error: Installation failed for component Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0a. MSI returned error code 1603
[01/27/10,10:58:56] WapUI: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0a is not installed.
Hi Datnwin - I'm sorry for the hassles you're running into. Can you please use the tool described at http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/archive/2007/11/21/6458047.aspx to gather up your .NET Framework setup log files, post them to a file server (such as http://skydrive.live.com), then reply here with a link I could use to download your logs and take a look to see if I can figure out what is causing this install failure.
Aaron, I'm having the same problem. The TurboTax Utility's log errors to "mozilla.browser" not installed on system in a specific directory. I found the file elsewhere and copied it to the directory it wants it in. No dice. I rebooted and the error still complains. What if I uninstalled Firefox - Would it still be looking for that file? Suggestions?
Thanks,
Jeff
Hi PapaJefe - There shouldn't be any interference between FireFox and TurboTax setup or the .NET Framework setup. Can you please upload the zip file created by the TurboTax diagnostic utility to a file server (such as http://skydrive.live.com) and then reply back here with a link I can use to download the logs and take a further look and see if I can figure anything out about the cause of this error?
Thanks, Aaron..Here it is:
http://cid-8b0b593da655a9d9.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/TurboTax%20Install/TurboTax2009UtilityLogFiles.zip
Hi PapaJefe - The only error I see in your TurboTax utility logs is the following:
09:09:14:561 ****ERROR**** File C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\CONFIG\Browsers\mozilla.browser is not installed on the system
You should be able to copy that file from another computer to that exact location to satisfy this requirement. You also should simply be able to create a blank file with that name at that location. Can you please give that a try and see if it works for you?
Aaron, I found mozilla.browser in another location on my machine and copied it over to that directory. Even after a reboot, neither the TT installation program nor their utility recognized it.
Could it be there's a missing registry entry? Every several months I run a reg cleaning program from Pareto Logic and I'm wondering if that "cleaning" wiped out something needed.
Hi PapaJefe - The error in your previous set of logs was specifically referring to a file, so I don't think that a missing registry key is causing trouble here. Can you please double-check that you copied the file to this exact location with this exact name:
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\CONFIG\Browsers\mozilla.browser
If so, then can you please re-run the TurboTax utility and post an updated set of logs so I can take another look?
Hi Aaron,
I am having the same Turbo Tax problems. I have gone through all of of your tools and I got a number of error messages from the TT utility log:
16:24:48:971 ****ERROR**** Key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v2.0.50727
Value: SP
Expected Data: 2
Actual Data: 1
16:24:48:971 Section [Registry GE - .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 (Common)] - stop parsing entries
16:24:49:049 Section [Registry GE - .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 (32-bit)] - start parsing entries
16:24:49:049 Section [Registry GE - .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 (32-bit)] - stop parsing entries
16:24:49:065 Not running action 'Registry GE - .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 (64-bit)' for product '.NET Framework 3.5 SP1' because the OS condition does not match
16:24:49:143 Section [Registry - .NET Framework 3.0 (Common)] - start parsing entries
6:24:48:971 ****ERROR**** Key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v2.0.50727
16:24:48:628 ****ERROR**** File C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\mscormmc.cfg is not installed on the system
16:24:48:628 File C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\mscormmc.dll is installed on the system
16:24:48:628 File C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\regsvcs.exe.config is installed on the system
16:24:48:628 Section [Files - .NET Framework 2.0 (32-bit)] - stop parsing entries
16:24:48:628 Not running action 'Files - .NET Framework 2.0 (64-bit)' for product '.NET Framework 3.5 SP1' because the OS condition does not match
16:24:48:644 Section [Files - .NET Framework 3.0 (Common)] - start parsing entries
16:24:48:597 ****ERROR**** File C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\regsvcs.exe.config is not installed on the system
16:23:15:683 ****ERROR**** Verification failed for product .NET Framework 3.5 SP1
16:23:14:482 ****ERROR**** Key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v2.0.50727
16:23:14:482 Section [Registry GE - .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 (Common)] - stop parsing entries
16:23:14:560 Section [Registry GE - .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 (32-bit)] - start parsing entries
16:23:14:560 Section [Registry GE - .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 (32-bit)] - stop parsing entries
16:23:14:560 Not running action 'Registry GE - .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 (64-bit)' for product '.NET Framework 3.5 SP1' because the OS condition does not match
16:23:14:638 Section [Registry - .NET Framework 3.0 (Common)] - start parsing entries
16:23:13:967 ****ERROR**** File C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\mscormmc.cfg is not installed on the system
16:23:13:967 ****ERROR**** File C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\installutil.exe.config is not installed on the system
16:23:13:796 ****ERROR**** File C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\regsvcs.exe.config is not installed on the system
Also, I don't know if this bit info is useful to you: when I've tried to install and uninstall .NET Framework 3.5 SP1-- I get an error message stating: "MOF compiler has stopped working."
I hope I've included info that will be helpful in figuring out what's going on. Thank you so much for any assistance you can offer!!
Hi PharmPaula - You will need to do a couple of things to fix these errors:
First, you can use regedit.exe to change the following registry value from 1 to 2:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v2.0.50727]
SP
Second, you will need to get copies of the following 3 files and put them at the locations listed here:
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\mscormmc.cfg
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\installutil.exe.config
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\regsvcs.exe.config
You can either copy them from another computer that has the .NET Framework installed, or download them from my share - I put a zip file with these 3 files in it at http://cid-27e6a35d1a492af7.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Blog%5E_Tools/netfx20%5E_missing%5E_config%5E_files.zip.
Hopefully this helps!
http://cid-92b9afadd5a2cafa.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/.Public
Aaron, here is teh VSlogs file you were asking for. Thank you very much for looking into it!
Dat
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 3:55 PM by astebner
# re: TurboTax 2009 can fail to install because it thinks the .NET Framework is not installed, even when it is
Aaron, I double checked and the file was where is should have been. Reran the utility and still came up with the error. However, this time, I noticed it referred to Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64...... The previous directories had indicated Windows/Microsoft.NET\Framework.....
Copied the file there and I guess that satisfied it. Utility ran fine, TurboTax installed perfectly.
Thanks for your logical, well thought out approach to what seemed like an impossible issue.
Hi PapaJefe - I'm glad to hear that you were able to get this issue solved and get TurboTax to install successfully. Sorry for all of the hassles along the way though.
Thanks Aaron!
You've helped tremendously, but I am still having problems. I was able to install the Turbo Tax 2009, but it would not launch and open-- I kept getting a message that "Turbo Tax has stopped working and will close." So, I restarted my computer and tried to apply the updates for .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 and once again, the updates failed. I continue to get the error code 8007007F when looking at the update history. I also tried repairing and uninstalling Turbo Tax to see if it would help, and now once again it won't install!! It is citing problems with the .NET Framework again.
I don't know what I'm doing wrong-- I was so pleased to get it finally installed, and now nothing is working again!!
You're the first to even get close to the problem, so if you have any other insight, I'd love to hear it!!
Thank you so much!