The error code is 2869

Guidance Automation Extension Technology Preview installation failure

Are you looking for a solution to this error message with no clue to what this error message means? You are at the right place.

The complete error message reads: The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2869.

I faced this issue while installing the Guidance Automation Extensions Technology Preview (June 2006 Release for Visual Studio 2005) on Windows Vista.

Don Smith's blog seems to explain why this error occurs and there may be some time until it gets fixed. It also suggests a solution to the problem. However one step is missing in the solution.

You need to make sure that there is no instance of devenv.exe is running when you are invoking the GuidanceAutomationExtensions.msi under an Administrator context.

An alternate solution to Don Smith's blog of invoking the msi under Administrator privilege is outlined below:

1. Create a .bat file with the following command in it: msiexec /i "absolute path of msi" (Note: Relative path will not work with the msiexec command).


2. Run this batch file as administrator by right clicking the batch file and selecting "Run as administrator".

Hope this solution helps. Good luck!