We're all familiar with the Windows Installer, it's a native program that guides us through the installation process of many programs, including applications published by Microsoft itself.

When using Windows Installer, you may get an error message that is states “error 1603: your system encountered a fatal error” or something similar. This is a fairly common error, and can be corrected pretty easily. The diagnose this error, first click the OK button on the error message, and see of one of these common problems could be at fault.

See if you're using an Encrypted folder

You may be trying to put the Installer package in an encrypted folder. The Installer package will not allow this action, and you must place the Installer in another folder that is not encrypted.

Substitute Drives

When installing software, usually you have a choice of where to install it. When making that choice, be sure that drive is going to register as a main drive. For example, if your main drive is your C drive and you try to install on your D drive, the error may appear.

Grant Full Access Permissions

(Windows 2000 and XP only)

Certain account types may not have full permission to install software on the system. If this is what is keeping the Windows Installer from being properly installed, and you are using Windows 2000 or XP, please follow these directions. Other operating systems must log in on an administrator account.

• Double click on the My Computer Icon on your desktop

• Right click on the drive to be used.

• Click on the properties button

• Open the Securities tab

• Add user name or group name to the system

  • Click add

  • In the name box click system

  • Click add

  • Click ok

• In Permissions tab

  • Check Full Access box

  • Click allow

  • Click Advanced

• A window may appear with a message about applying to all child objects

• Click OK

• If a security message appears

• Click on yes.

• Let Windows apply the new settings

• Run the Installer package again.

These are the most logical approaches to dealing with installer error 1603. If none of these seem to help, then it may be that the application you're trying to install has a damaged install sequence and you can try downloading a different version.

Elsewise, it's important to note that so-called “fatal-errors” are characterized by an action that simply prevents a process from continuing. It's fatal because the action kills the process. Other options include doing a restart and even running diagnostic scans. These scans can help you check for malware, as well as internal disk errors. See this article for some helpful diagnostics:  5 Ways to Cleanup Your PC