What is Error 1603 on Altiris?

Error 1603 on Altiris primarily signifies a fatal error during the installation of Altiris client plugins or other software packages. It is a common Windows Installer (MSI) error indicating that an installation process failed to complete successfully. While it's a general Windows Installer error, its appearance in Altiris usually points to specific underlying issues related to system permissions or the integrity of the installer components.

Understanding Error 1603

Error 1603, often presented as "Fatal error during installation," is a generic code that prevents Windows Installer-based applications from being installed. In the context of Altiris, this error is frequently encountered when deploying client agents or plugins to endpoints, indicating a blockage in the installation process on the target machine.

Common Causes of Error 1603 on Altiris

When Altiris client plugins fail with error 1603, the root causes are typically:

Insufficient Permissions: The SYSTEM account, which the Windows Installer service uses to install software, does not have Full Control permissions on the designated destination folder for the Windows Installer package. This is a very common culprit, as the installer cannot write necessary files to the target directory.
Outdated MSI Installer: The target system may not have the latest or a sufficiently recent version of the MSI installer components, leading to compatibility or functionality issues during the installation.
Conflicting Processes: Other applications or services running on the system might be interfering with the installation.
Corrupted Installation Files: The Altiris client package itself or components within it might be corrupted.
Disk Space Issues: Insufficient disk space on the target machine to complete the installation.

Troubleshooting and Solutions for Error 1603

Addressing Error 1603 on Altiris typically involves a methodical approach to identify and resolve the underlying cause. Here are the key steps:

1. Permissions Check

This is often the most critical step. Ensure the SYSTEM account has the necessary access rights.

Verify Destination Folder Permissions: Navigate to the folder where the Altiris client or plugin is intended to be installed (e.g., C:\Program Files\Altiris\Altiris Agent).
Grant Full Control:
1. Right-click the destination folder and select Properties.
2. Go to the Security tab.
3. Click Edit to change permissions.
4. Click Add... and type SYSTEM in the object names box, then click Check Names and OK.
5. Select the SYSTEM account from the list.
6. Under "Permissions for SYSTEM," check the box for Full Control in the "Allow" column.
7. Click Apply and OK.
Inheritance: Ensure that these permissions are inherited by subfolders and files within the destination directory.

2. Update Windows Installer

An outdated Windows Installer can cause various installation failures, including error 1603.

Windows Updates: Ensure the operating system on the target machine is fully updated. This often includes updates to the Windows Installer service.
Manual Update (if necessary): In some cases, you might need to manually download and install the latest Windows Installer redistributable package from Microsoft's official website.

3. General Troubleshooting Tips

If permissions and installer updates don't resolve the issue, consider these broader troubleshooting steps:

Restart the System: A simple reboot can often clear temporary issues or hung processes.
Run as Administrator: Although Altiris deployments are typically managed, manually running the installer (if applicable) with elevated privileges can sometimes bypass permission issues.
Disable Antivirus/Security Software (Temporarily): Antivirus or anti-malware software can sometimes interfere with installation processes by flagging legitimate files as threats. Temporarily disable them during the installation attempt, then re-enable immediately afterward.
Clear Temp Folders: Accumulated temporary files can sometimes cause conflicts. Clear the contents of %temp% and C:\Windows\Temp.
Check Disk Space: Ensure there is sufficient free disk space on the drive where the Altiris client or plugin is being installed.
Examine Event Logs: Always check the Windows Event Viewer (specifically the Application and System logs) for more detailed error messages or related warnings that precede or coincide with the 1603 error. This can provide crucial clues.
Re-download Installation Package: If the installation files are suspected to be corrupted, re-download the Altiris client plugin package from the Altiris server to ensure its integrity.

For more general information on Windows Installer Error 1603, you can refer to Microsoft's official documentation on Windows Installer Error 1603.

By systematically addressing these potential causes, you can effectively resolve Error 1603 when installing Altiris client plugins and other software deployments.