Symantec United StatesDocument ID:1999060918102448
Last Modified:09/09/2009

How to create a detailed installation log file for the Microsoft Installer

Situation:You need to create a detailed installation log file when you install Symantec AntiVirus, Symantec Client Security, Symantec Endpoint Protection or, Symantec Endpoint Encryption.

Solution:Symantec Antivirus, Symantec Client Security, Symantec Endpoint Protection, and Symantec Endpoint Encryption use the Microsoft Installer. When an installation fails, the installation log files can help you troubleshoot the problem.

To create a detailed installation log file
  1. In the Windows Registry Editor, go to the following key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer

    If the Installer key does not exist, create it. Directions for how to add the key are in the Technical Information section of this document.
  2. Right-click the Installer key, and then click New > String Value.
  3. Type Logging for the name of the new value.
  4. In the right pane, double-click the Logging value.
  5. In the Value data box, type voicewarmup
  6. Click OK.
  7. Exit the Registry Editor.
  8. Install Symantec Antivirus or Symantec Client Security.
To view the installation log file
  1. Confirm that Windows is configured to show hidden and system folders.
    To show hidden and system folders, read How to make Windows show all files.
  2. On the Windows taskbar, click Start > Run.
  3. In the Open box, type one of the following text strings:

    %TEMP%
    %TMP%

  4. Press Enter.
    Windows Explorer opens the temporary folder.
  5. Find the log file.
    The file name starts with the letters MSI and ends with the extension .log.
  6. Use Notepad to open the log file.

To troubleshoot installations by using the installation log file
  1. Open the log file.
  2. Search for the text value 3
  3. The 20 lines of text above this entry will contain one or more errors.
  4. Contact Symantec Technical Support with the information.


Technical Information:To add the Installer registry key if it does not exist
  1. Exit all open programs.
  2. On the Windows taskbar, click Start > Run.
  3. In the Open box, type the following text:

    regedit
  4. Click OK.
  5. Go to the following key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
  6. In the left pane, right-click the Windows key, and then click New > Key.
  7. For the new key's name, type Installer
  8. Press Enter.
  9. Exit the Registry Editor.



References:For more information about Windows Installer logs, read the Microsoft Knowledge Base article How to Enable Windows Installer Logging (Q223300).



Product(s): Endpoint Encryption, Endpoint Protection 11, Symantec AntiVirus 10.1, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 10.0, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 8.0, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 9.0, Symantec Client Security 3.0, Symantec Client Security 3.1
Operating Systems(s): Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003 32-bit Edition, Windows Server 2003 64-bit Edition, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, Windows XP
Date Created: 06/09/1999