FIX: You receive an error message when you try to install a deployment package for a Visual C++ project that includes Visual Studio 2005 merge modules

You build a deployment package for a Microsoft Visual C++ project that includes the merge modules that are in the original release version of Microsoft Visual Studio 2005. When you try to install the deployment package on a computer that does not have Microsoft Windows Installer version 3.0 installed, you receive the following error message:

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Visual Studio 2005 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Base package (x86) file information

IA-64 file information

To work around this problem, follow these steps on the computer on which you want to install the deployment package:

1. Install Windows Installer version 3.0.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Install the deployment package.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1.