Article ID: 926450 - Last Review: March 15, 2007 - Revision: 2.5

Error message when you try to install Windows Vista: "Windows could not load device compatibility data. Error code: 0x00000002"

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SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario. You use the net use command to map a network drive to the Sources folder. Then, you run the Setup program from the mapped drive to install Windows Vista. In this scenario, the installation may not finish successfully, and you may receive the following error message:

Windows could not load device compatibility data.
Error code: 0x00000002

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CAUSE

This issue occurs if the Setup program cannot access files and folders that are located outside the Sources folder. The Setup program requires access to these files and folders to successfully complete the installation.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods:

Do not map a drive directly to the Sources folder. Instead, use the net use command to map a drive to the parent folder that contains the Sources folder.
Run the Setup program by using a universal naming convention (UNC) path instead of by using the net use command to map a drive.

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