Administrator privileges in 98SE ?

Hi. I recently tried to download and install a software training program called the SkillSoft Course Manager or SCM on my home PC. Before I got very far a window popped up with the following message:


"The installer has insufficient privileges to install SCM. The installation cannot continue. Log on as an administrator or contact your system administrator. "


To the best of my knowledge Windows 98SE doesn't require administrator privileges. I've contacted SkillSoft Customer Support a few times and the staff there doesn't seem to understand how to deal this message. The software should work with my older system. I just need to clear this hurdle.

If anyone reading this post has encountered an issue like this, please reply with any recommendations. Thanks!

 

I might expect that the security software you have (antivirus, antispyware) is blocking it. Disable any security programs and try again.

Matt

 

I believe Bill Castner covered why this is occurring in his reply at AumHa to you. SkillSoft Course Manager is not compatible with Win98SE.

http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=34455&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

 

Hi Wayback

The below requires you to know how to boot to safe mode and also into Command prompt from the safe mode menu. DO NOT USE the SHUTDOWN to Command prompt in Windows.​

The SkillSoft program is Win98 Compatible.​

Likely you have a Windows installer issue or you have only the Windows Installer 1.0 and should have Windows Installer 2.0 for Win98.​

Below are the steps to cleanup the existing Windows Installer (which ever version you have) and the update to Installer 2.0!​

First download windows installer 2.0 but do not run!​

Get only the InstMsiA.exe file!​

http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...d8-c094-4255-b702-de3bb768148f&displaylang=en​

Then you must reboot to pure DOS from boot menu where Safe mode is displayed not from windows.​

Boot like you are going to safe mode and choose Command prompt!​

At the c: prompt type these commands exactly!​

cd\windows
cd system
ren msi.dll msi.old
ren msihnd.dll msihnd.old
ren msiexec.exe msiexec.old​

Then​

Hit Ctrl Alt Del to restart computer in Safe Mode​

Once in Safe Mode install the downloaded Windows Installer. Once this is complete reboot to normal mode and try the SkillSoft install again.​

Mike​

 

Thanks guys.

Tried the install again making sure all security software was disabled and got the same result.

Bill Castner's recommendation makes sense. Although my machine meets the requirements for running the SCM, the software 'installer' might want a version of Windows like XP with administrator privileges.

I posted the issue here to get as much info as possible before taking any action. Its possible that someone will read this who has experienced something very similar and might have specific info on how to handle it.


Hi Mike,

Although I believe Windows Installer 2.0 is present (needed to install AdAware a few weeks ago), it could be corrupt and/or an older version than the one provided in your link. I'm going to go ahead and cleanup/reinstall v2.0.

I have a question re your instructions: when rebooting do I want to use the 'Command prompt only' option or the 'Safe mode command prompt only' option? I'm guessing 'Command prompt only' but I want to be sure I've got it right...

Cheers,
Dean

 

Command Prompt Only!

Unless you have an NT only (2K or Higher OS) version, the SkillSoft Course Manager is listed as Win98 compatable!

Sounds as if your Installer is damaged!

After the cleanup also try the ADaware install again. Remember ADaware SE for 98!

Mike

 

I'm sorry to report that the Windows Installer trick didn't work (AdAware SE did work on my PC after installing it a few weeks ago).

I agree that the SCM is compatible with my machine according to info listed at the SkillSoft site. And despite what I've been told by Customer Support staff, they're supposed to support Windows 98 SE.

Looks like I'm gonna have to pry my way into SkillSoft Tech Support (not Customer Support) somehow and see if I can get an IT person there to work with me on this. Wish me luck...

 

Did you get the exact same error or did anyting change?

Mike

 

Exact same thing happened Mike.

 

Hi Wayback


The Windows 98 installer can be effected by lack of Environment space so do the below to increase it.

Click START-RUN
Type sysedit
Click OK
Close the box (autoexec.bat) that appears. Another box (config.sys) will appear. Add the following line if it is not there:

shell=c:\windows\command.com/e:4096/p

Save this box (close it, and it will ask you if you want to save it)
Close other boxes.

Next:

If win98 is not logged on to the network properly it thinks there is no Administrator so.....

Open Control Panel, and double-click on the Network icon.
From the list entitled Primary Network Logon:, choose Windows Logon, and press OK
Close but do not reboot yet.

Next:

Clears all restrictions on this computer.

Open Notepad

Copy the text between the lines below but not the lines
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGEDIT4

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

then paste into Notepad
Save as c:\clrpol.reg

Boot back to Command prompt Only" as earlier

At prompt
type

regedit /s c:\clrpol.reg
hit enter

then type
del c:\windows\*.pwl
hit enter

Now Ctrl Alt Del to reboot
If windows asks for a password hit Spacebar or give it a password. BUT DO NOT hit ESC to skip!

Now try the install!

Mike

 

Hi Mike,

Thanks for hanging with me on this.

Your latest instructions indicate a somewhat intricate process. I'm willing to try this--looks like smart maintenance. Are there any risks involved in performing these tasks? Is there anything that might get ******* up that can't be undone?

I opened a new support case with SkillSoft last night and, among other things, requested instructions for a manual install of the SCM. I lucked out as this case was referred to the only guy in the Customer Support area who seems to understand what I'm up against.

Received an e-mail from him this morning which included links to a series of compatibility tests and, surprisingly, instructions for a manual install! Its a fairly big file which I haven't downloaded yet to see if its really going to work, but my situation is certainly looking better at this point.

Mike, I'd like to try your latest suggestions before I get to those SkillSoft links. Just want to be sure I'm making the right moves...

 

Nothing harmfull!

Increases Environment space a good thing!

Makes sure you are authendicated as a user for windows and networking!

Clears all restrictions!

Clears all Windows loogon passwords if any! Not email etc!

I will be glad to look at what the Tech sent you! If it is an email you may forward it to me!

Mike

 

Hi Mike,

Sorry for the delay in replying. Been having trouble loggin on to this site.

My config.sys file looks kinda ragged: 4 Rem TShoot entries and 6 REM entries. It might be best to re-enter all lines in config.sys, but I'm not sure how the lines are supposed to appear in 98SE. Or, I could just add the line you recommended and let the file cleanup go. What do you think?

 

Post the config.sys here so we can see it

But otherwise add the entries and go.

Mike

 

Okay, I'll go ahead with your instructions and let you know what happens.

The config.sys looks exactly like this:


DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS
Rem TShoot: DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS X=A000-F7FF
Rem TShoot:
DOS=HIGH,UMB
Rem TShoot:
FILES=50
Rem TShoot:
BUFFERS=30
REM [Header]
REM == PISETUP Begin Delete ==
REM == PISETUP End Delete ==
REM [CD-ROM Drive]
REM [Display]
REM [Miscellaneous]
c:\windows\command.com/e:4096/p

On the
REM == PISETUP End Delete ==
line there's an extra space between REM and ==, but this site won't allow it to be displayed...

 

Hi Mike,

Ran in to a snag. After I typed "regedit /s c:\clrpol.reg" at the command prompt and hit enter, "Invalid Switch" came back. I double-checked my work and didn't find any errors. When you get a chance, please let me know how to proceed...

Thanks!

 

Arie is likely right but I have seen no proof that it is not a windows Installer product the company indicates it is.

But there are issues here that could prevent the install.

In Windows 95, 98, and Me, the Registry is stored in the USER.DAT and SYSTEM.DAT hidden files located in the Windows directory.

Your command line looks correct and /s is a valid switch.

Do this:

At the command prompt
type
dir c:\clrpol.reg
this will confirm the reg file exists

If it does then do this
type
cd\windows
then type
regedit /s c:\clrpol.reg

Mike

 

Once these possibly restrictive policies are cleared do not forget to do the below from post #10.

Mike