Failed to install the product: Drive Name:globaloserver.msi error code: 1603(0x643) error when installing sharepoint 2013

Today when installing a virtual development environment for Sharepoint 2013 I got

"SharePoint Server 2013 encountered an error during setup" 

error. When I checked the details of the error in error log file  

I found an entry

"Failed to install the product: c:\global\oserver.msi error code: 1603(0x643) error when istalling sharepoint 2013"

I tried many different things but the solution was very interesting:) Virtual machine was using just one CPU. After increasing the processor on virtual machine from 1 to 4 magic happened and installation finished successfully.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    December 31, 2012
    I've been BATTLING this issue for a full day now and I am really in a surly mood over it. If for whatever reason changing the number of CPUs from 1 to 4 does not work, you might want to try this (worked for me after nothing else did):
  1. Before exiting setup, examine the log file in users{user}appdatalocaltempsharepoint server*.log.
  2. See if there is an error where ARPWRITE returns result code 3
  3. If so, download the ORCA tool from the Windows SDK (ORCA allows you to modify MSI files)
  4. In Explorer, locate the globaloserver.msi file in your SharePoint 2013 install tree.
  5. Right-click the MSI and specify 'Edit with Orca'
  6. Select the InstallExecuteSequence table.
  7. Locate the ArpWrite action, right-click, Drop Row
  8. File->Save
  9. Rerun SP2013 Setup as usual.
  • Anonymous
    May 10, 2013
    CraigAJohnson, your suggestion works for me. Thanks!

  • Anonymous
    December 12, 2013
    After my 3rd unsuccessful attempt I Googled and found this post.  Switching to 4 VProcessors did the trick. Thanks for sharing... Mario

  • Anonymous
    February 11, 2014
    It works! Great thanks

  • Anonymous
    March 10, 2014
    Orca is a life-saver.  Thanks Craig!!  Your suggestion worked for me.

  • Anonymous
    March 24, 2014
    Changed the processor from 1 to 4 and it didn't work at first, but did after 2-3 attempts. Thanks much! You guys are great!

  • Anonymous
    March 26, 2014
    Dear all, the solution that worked for me was increasing the number of processors and cores (more than 1) i ran the setup again and it worked fine i hope it helps

  • Anonymous
    March 31, 2014
    Thanks @CraigAJohnson, editing the MSI worked for me also. Juste don"t know why I add to edit it ??

  • Anonymous
    April 29, 2014
    Works well, no need of increase of VCPUS.....thanks a lot

  • Anonymous
    May 03, 2014
    Increasing the number of virtual CPU's (Hyper-V) up to 4 solved the problem above. Thank's a lot!

  • Anonymous
    August 11, 2014
    Worked for me. Great, Thanks!!

  • Anonymous
    August 12, 2014
    Yeah, worked like a charm! Thanks!

  • Anonymous
    September 25, 2014
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    October 07, 2014
    For me, the installation off update KB2768703 resolved this issue... I'm afraid of modifying the msi install because of the unknown new issues !

  • Anonymous
    December 03, 2014
    Thanks a lot Craig

  • Anonymous
    January 27, 2015
    Hello, I came over this error during installation of SharePoint 2013 SP1 using AutoSPInstaller from Codeplex. I tried to follow the approach that was described by Craig until 7th step. Even opening ORCA with Administrator privileges (or UAT disabled), file was Read Only and I couldn't Drop the Row. Then I realized, that the issue was due to NTFS permissions. I came to the root folder of my installation package and through Properties->Security->Advanced I rewrote all subfolder permissions ensuring that local Administrators and SYSTEM have full control on all files in my package. Then installation worked as expected.

  • Anonymous
    February 03, 2015
    Please don't that! its not recommended solution my MS @Nicolas - you made smart move unknowns issues are known now ;)

  1. you will not get latest patch applied - manage patch status not configured
  2. sharepoint 2013 services running not configured
  3. you will never be able to uninstall SharePoint as you will not be able to see SharePoint in Program and Features Go right here: sharepoint.stackexchange.com/.../sharepoint-server-2013-installation-why-arpwrite-action-fails
  • Anonymous
    March 22, 2015
    Thank you so much, that was really helpful. I would never get it on my own.

  • Anonymous
    May 19, 2015
    I worked with Microsoft Engineers to find the root cause of the error. We discovered a missing registry key at HKLM:SOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsInstaller I wrote a fix script and posted it on our Blog: www.devfacto.com/resolved

  • Anonymous
    July 25, 2015
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    September 03, 2015
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    January 15, 2016
    Updated Processors and RAM worked for me.  

  • Anonymous
    January 28, 2016
    @Dragan - Life saver! Thank you! I built a whole new VM before resolving this.

  • Anonymous
    June 14, 2016
    https://www.devfacto.com/insights/resolved-error-1603-installing-sharepoint

  • Anonymous
    October 03, 2016
    Also, check the Power Options in the server BIOS and change from Performance to Balanced. This was the fix for a similar reported issue when installing Office Web Apps, and it worked for our Sharepoint 2013 install after many, many frustrating hours.

  • Anonymous
    February 01, 2018
    Thanks :)