Sunday, March 22, 2009

Installing Windows Live Messenger 2009 on Windows Server 2003

When I tried to install the new Windows Live Messenger 2009 on my Windows Server 2003 machine, I got the "Couldn't install programs" error message, and the detail is "os_check: 0x8028004".



Apparently, Windows 2003/2008 and 64bit XP systems are not supported by the new Live Messenger.

Thank goodness I came across the following site:
http://www.gtalkme.com/development/install-windows-live-wave3-on-windows2003-or-2008.html
It's about "Windows Live Wave 3" and it's in Chinese, but the hack is identical.

  1. Download the messenger wlsetup-custom.exe.
  2. Open it with Resource Hacker.
  3. Open the resource tree to "CONFIG -> CONFIG0 -> 0".
  4. Find the XML tag: <os productType="workstation" />
  5. Change "workstation" to "server" and recompile the script in the Resource Hacker.
  6. Remember to save the modified installer file.
The installer should work properly on the Win2003 system now.

21 comments:

dg said...

hi, i had the same problem. but i just cant seem to figure out this hacker program, how do i do this CONFIG -> CONFIG0 -> 0 thingy?

GodLikeMouse said...

I found a similar fix for Windows XP Pro 64-bit.

Under the same configuration location as above, change the following:

<group logic="and" name="xpsp2">

change to:

<group logic="or" name="xpsp2">

Then change/add this:

<os cpu="i386" />

change to:

<os cpu="i386" /><os cpu="amd64" />

This allows for the pick-up of the amd64 chipset.

devadraco said...

Hi dg, I added a screenshot of the resource tree in Resource Hacker. Hope it helps.

Unknown said...

Thanks for this, I suddenly was forced to upgrade MSN today on my w2k3 server but, as you are aware, the latest version won't install on w2k3 server! This hack worked perfectly! Cheers!!!

aramu said...

Hi,
It works great, thanks a lot.

AcfC said...

Funcionou lindamente!!
OBRIGAAAAAAADOOOOOOOOO!!!

aramu said...

hi i have windows server 2003 64 bit enterprise edition, i need to install live messenger 2009 on it,
so any one of them please post perfect solution to me.

Sc4r4byte said...

using XP64 bit edition, same problem of inability to download, tried the solution and extended solution both to no avail.

(second one sorta worked... downloader started and nearly finished... sorta)

overal progress bar goes all the way to 100%... then it turns around and counts it's way back to 0... >.>

"Done
Click each program for details and error information.
We couldn't install:
[X] Messenger
[X] Mail
[X] Writer
[X] Family Safety

--->

Messenger
Try Installing Windows Live programs again. Programs were not installed because installation was canceled. aborted:0x80004004

Get more help with this error
[http://help.live.com/help.aspx?market=en-us&project=wlinstallerv3&querytype=keyword&query=wli80004004&ec=0x80004004]






(well, my add/remove programs list has no window's live anything on it currently... >.> )

Nabblogger said...

Works great for me on Server 03! Thanks a lot!

Sergio Tejerina said...

De maravilla, Gracias!!! Thank you!!

Marcelo said...

Thanks!
Worked nice!

Théo said...

Muito obrigado - Eu uso win2003 e funcionou direitinho - Théo - Prata-MG - Brazil

Théo said...

Funcionou 100% - Bananas pra Microsoft! Muito obrigado

Théo-Brazil

M Danish Haroon said...

Use This Link & Enjoy
http://www.techspot.com/downloads/29-windows-live-messenger.html

M Danish Haroon said...

Use This Link & Enjoy
http://www.techspot.com/downloads/29-windows-live-messenger.html

M Danish Haroon said...

Please Use To Msn Messanger 8.5
100% Sure To Resolve Your Problem

dirigir 100 medo said...

Very Nice !!!!! Thx

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