Unable to install World of Warcraft (WoW)

When I attempt to install WoW from the original CDs I get the following error:

I tried every thing I could think of including, but not limited to:

1. Rebooting multiple times
2. "disabling all" in msconfig
3. Attempted to install in Safe Mode
4. Call Blizzard and was on the phone for 45 minutes ... they have no clue.

I am on a P4 2.2 with 1 GB RAM running WinXP Pro. My HDD is a 120 GB with 60 GB free formatted NTFS. My HDD is labeled "I" ... as opposed to the "C" drive. That is the only thing I can think of.

The odd thing is ... I just installed Sacred Underworld with no problem at all.

 

UPDATE

I just installed a brand new 160GB hard drive (wow, this thing was only $49 after rebate! gotta love that!) and tried installing WoW with the same exact error message.

This is VERY strange. I have NO idea what in the world would cause this ... and neither does Blizzard.

Help!!

 

Found this. I can't check because my damn dialup is so slow today.

Make sure you are running Windows Installer 3.1 (v2).

Also, after making sure you are up-to-date you may want to run the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility.

 

The Windows Installer is already on my PC. I downloaded the Cleanup Utility and ran it, but WoW doesn't show up in the list given it has not yet been installed.

So, no luck there either. I'm stumped totally ... especially now that I have a spare hard drive using drive letter "C".

 

Make sure that when you run the Installing the projected installation is putting the files in C:\Program Files

Not C:\Windows

System Directory is C:\Windows

 

Do you know anyone else with a copy of the game you can borrow? I've read about this error coming up with bad copies of the CDs. If you have access to someone else's CDs, give them a try.

 

DarkCypher0x0 -- it isn't that simple -- I could only wish it was!

Jamkiko -- these are the original MFR CDs and were used to install twice on another system (the initial time and after he rebuilt a few months later) with no problem at all.

Very very strange. I'm afraid if I go spend $$ on a brand new game/CDs I'll have the same result. I have a feeling I will have to rebuild from scratch. Getting "my" computer back to it's current configuration will takes weeks .. uggh!!

 

Where exactly are you trying to install too? And when exactly are you getting this message? Is it after you try choosing the folder or is it when the installer starts copying files you see this?

\Program Files is also considered a system folder, so it has to be something like \Program Files\WoW

 

I have tried installing to every possible place. As I posted ... it won't install to my primary or secondary hard drive ... on any folder. I've tried the default \program files\World of Warcraft ... and about 8 or 9 other places.

Again ... I am WAY past this kind of problem. It is something much more complicated, nasty, or unusual.

Keep in mind ... I'm a computer guy ... I do this kind of thing daily/nightly and also spent 45 minutes on the phone with Blizzard and this guy was talking with every single one of the other Support Techs and a developer about the problem.

I tried to explain to him that the developers should be able to lookup this error to see what conditions has to be met for the error to appear, but he said he couldn't do that.

 

Yes it is a system folder, BUT it isn't the System Directory.

2 Different things.

Could you get a screen shot of the Message? Might help out a tad.

Also, What partition is the Primary and secondary HDD's?

 

Yes, but my point is I've tried all types of folders ... user created and system. The message's info/text is not correct which is indicative of many error messages.

Steps taken to arrive at error:

1. Click Install WoW
2. Agree to EULA
3. Choose Install Directory. I prefer c:\games\Wow
4. Click OK

... The error pops up immediately.

Here is the error -- it gives "NO" info to help:

http://www.woodcycl.com/images/WoW%20Install%20Error.jpg

Any other thoughts?

Thanks,
Brian

Edited to Add: Can you elaborate when you ask "what partition"? Each drive has only one partition -- formatted NTFS. I usually don't create multi-partitions for my general purposes. My Primary HDD is "I" and my Secondary HDD is now "C" and is brand new as of last evening.

 

Umm might try grabing the windows CD for this, If you're on XP.

Try this:
"Click Start>Run>Type sfc /scannow" It's an idea and if anything is corrupt than it will correct it.

Also

 

Just mean what partition is on each HDD like... FAT32 on 1 or NTFS on the other, Like that.

 

Running sfc /scannow was a great idea! I had not thought of that.

I tried it, however, and still no luck.

Yes, both HDDs have a single partition formatted NTFS.

 

Hmm tough one eh...Do other programs install fine on that system?

Does the CD have any major scratches on it?

When you try to install the game on you're Secondary HDD Are you intially booted up on the Primary's OS?

I have a feeling either the CD is bad or something with Windows installer has gone ary that or Windows itself is bad .

Do you have another system you can try and install it on that?

 

Also you could always try and boot from the windows CD and choose repair...Risky and maybe a bit farfetched but this seems like well dug in error if you ask me.

Also I would back up the system before attempting.

 

Quick update: The installation worked fine when installing to my computer at work. It must be something with my current config/install at home on my main computer. Looks like I won't be playing WoW until I can completely rebuild my machine. Thanks for all the tips!

 

Anytime.

If you're willing to, Before you try anything drastic. I would try the Windows Repair. I had done that when my installshield went bad, cleaned it up pretty good.

But that's up to you. Good Luck, Hopefully you won't have to wait to long to play!