I haven't found this particular issue covered before, apologies if I have missed it.  I am using a Windows PC running XP Pro SP2. My attempted installation of CS4 Web Premium (as an upgrade from CS3) failed early on when the installer said that I needed to install XP SP3. However, the results of running Windows Update does not list SP3 as an available update option (nor can I see it in my Update History).  Before I search through the Microsoft Update pages looking for SP3, can anyone confirm whether SP3 is actually necessary? Thanks.

Can someone please help me.  I've tried to install CS4 and every time it's checking the setup, it stalls at 90%.  I don't get any error messages or BSOD like a lot of you are talking about.  It just simply hangs there.  We've gone out and purchased additional RAM, turned off the virus program, ran registry cleanup, ran the Adobe script, etc... we've tried everything.  It still just stops at 90%.  I am not  a technical person, but I have been installing software programs for 20 years, this is the first time I can't install a program.  Can someone please tell me what the problem is?  Thanks.

For those getting BSODs (Blue Screen of Death) during installation on Windows 7 or Vista, the issue is probably related to the installation DVDs. Maybe some DVD drives don't play well under Windows 7 with those installation DVDs, or whatever else the issue may be, there is definitely a problem with the installation discs, as those numerous complaints about them indicate.

I've had problems installing Production Premium CS4 on Windows 7 RC (beta went fine) using the installation discs. Win 7 RC just didn't play well with the Adobe installation DVDs so I installed the suite directly from a hard drive. Worked perfectly. Here are the steps again in case you can't find Adobe's document about it: http://kroycom.com/blog/2009/bsod-install-adobe-cs4-on-windows-7-or-vi sta/

Again this is not a solution if you're low on disk space, or if you clogged your system with antivirus or other junk software. See my notes on that at the end.

My problem is simply this:

1.I bought this Production Premium from Gradware.

2. I turn everything off as said previously, however when it says checking system profile (Which is the first thing it does) it says:

   =Setup Error=

   -Setup has encountered an error and cannot continue.

3. I called Adobe and they were absoultely no help.

4. When I opened the box, the CD case was already halfway opened.

I deleted the window.external. but when I run the setup.exe from the original media, it will override the ContainerProxy.js file with the default version. So I have to install from Add Or Remove Programs or Programs And Features the Adobe Creative Suite 4 Master Collection! but the not finished installation doesn't react! what can I do? or are there other possibilities to run it?

I admit it -- I've posted the same message elsewhere -- don't know what else to do to get help!!

I just spend thousands of dollars purchasing CS4 Master Collection to install in Windows 7 Professional. I figured a new operating system with a clean install along with a newly purchased Adobe Software Suite -- no problem... 
  
Boy was I wrong. Installer quits with error 1603 everytime I run it. I've searched all over for solutions and tried everything I could. Finally called Adobe Technical Support (worthless)...they registered my program's serial number through support before they would help, even though it doesn't install. Said I need new disks -- the disks must be bad, so I should try an ftp download through Customer Support. Then they passed me on to Customer Support, for an ftp download -- only Customer Support tells me an ftp download for CS4 doesn't exist. You'd think the Technical Support people would know if that's the case (Another example of Adobe's inept practices) Customer Service then proceeds to tell me there is nothing they can do. Thy WILL NOT REPLACE MY DISKS, because I purchsed the software through a vendor. They then told me to go back to the vendor and ask them for replacement disks.
  
When I checked my Adobe account online, my "support" case was then listed as CLOSED!! The problem has not been solved, but Adobe wants to write me off. Go Figure....typical Adobe. 
  
So now I'm stuck -- days of frustration later, Adobe won't stand behind their product. I'm now left fighting with a vendor for replacement disks which may or may not work, or for a refund, which they tell me may not be possible because I have already registered the product with Adobe through Technical Support. Catch 22 --
  
ONCE AGAIN ADOBE SCREWS THE LITTLE GUY -- I don't even know where to go from here.

Bob,

Thanks for answering my forum posts -- I wasn't trying to spam -- just get someone's attention.

I already copied the first installation disk to my hard drive and tried installing from there. The disk copied over just fine, and the installation process did exactly the same thing. I've not only turned off all firewalls, virus protection, etc. -- I uninstalled them just in case they were the problem.

Other than wiping the disk clean, reinstalling Windows 7 Professional, and trying to install CS4 again, I don't know what to do.

Bob,

Thanks for the suggestion (which technical support never mentioned). However, I ran that even before I called them -- it made no difference.

As to system info: I'm running an Intel Core 2 T7200 processor with 2 gig of RAM on a 32-bit Installation of Windows 7 Professional, with a 300 gig hard drive.

Bob,

It's not the disks -- I went to a coworkers computer and tried the install there. He's runnin xp sp3, and installation (trial version) went fine. I tried it again under trial version (thinking there may be a difference) on my computer same error stops the installation. So I'm down to Windows 7 issue, or a hardware issue.

I followed your suggestion, ran the CS4 cleanup, restarted the computer, created a new user, restarted again, logged on under the new user account, and ran the installation again. The installation failed at the same spot.

I am now in the process of stipping my hard ware down to the bare essentials -- I'll tackle the possible hardware issuses first.

hey i've seen your good whit adobe so i though i could ask you about my problem.

I've tried to download adobe after effects cs4 from internet (the trail) but when im installing the first part goes okay but then its somthing 2nd part installing that always stops when its almost done!!

i'll attach a picture

okay thx

u replyd fast =)

Having difficulty installing CS4 Web Premium Student Edition on XP SP3 laptop and Vista laptop. Software freezes at "Preparing to Install" after about 25 seconds or so, then gives the option to select "Install" or "Back."

Contacted Adobe support about 4 times. Followed all of their suggestions, including copying software to hard drive and creating new user. Unsuccessful with original purchase Student Edition software, replacement software from Adobe, 30-day trial software purchased in summer, and new student edition software purchased two days ago. Downloaded and ran Windows Installer; downloaded and ran Adobe Clean.

My XP has 500 MB and 1.8 GHz. The Vista laptop has 1.5 GB and 1.6 GHz. Adobe recommends minimum of 1.0 GB and 2.0 GHz. However, was successful in loading the software on another XP SP3 laptop with 750 GB and 1.3 GHz.

Frustration building. Please help!

Thank you for your response. However, the numbers that I was providing were not the amount of disk space. They represented the amount of RAM and the processor speed.

I reread my post and realized that I put 750 GB for the machine on which I successfully loaded the software. That should have been 750 MB.

Going through the exact same issues myself and even went the downloading the media on my desktop.