Windows – Not enough storage space is available

windowswindows-installerwindows-server-2008

I have just re-installed a Windows Server 2008 Machine and am trying to get it into production, shipped with SQL Server 2008; the problem is, that it requires an application called: Windows Installer recommended is 4.5 or higher, I have went to the Microsoft Website and downloaded the official package but when running I get:

Setup Error: 
Not enough storage is available to process this command. 

I then press OK then get presented with:

Setup Error
installation did not complete.

When viewing Event viewer:

Log Name:      Application
Source:        Windows Installer 3.1
Date:          13/04/2013 19:10:25
Event ID:      4373
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      DOMAIN CONTROLLED REMOVED
Description:
The description for Event ID 4373 from source Windows Installer 3.1 cannot be found. Either the component that raises this event is not installed on your local computer or the installation is corrupted. You can install or repair the component on the local computer.

If the event originated on another computer, the display information had to be saved with the event.

The following information was included with the event: 

Windows
Not enough storage is available to process this command.


Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Windows Installer 3.1" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="49166">4373</EventID>
    <Level>2</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2013-04-13T18:10:25.000Z" />
    <EventRecordID>266</EventRecordID>
    <Channel>Application</Channel>
    <Computer>DOMAIN CONTROLLED REMOVED</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>Windows</Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Data>Not enough storage is available to process this command.
</Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>

That is when installing Windows Installer 3.1


Attempting Windows Installer 4.5 Returns:

Log Name:      Application
Source:        NtServicePack
Date:          13/04/2013 19:06:42
Event ID:      4373
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      DOMAIN CONTROLLED REMOVED
Description:
The description for Event ID 4373 from source NtServicePack cannot be found. Either the component that raises this event is not installed on your local computer or the installation is corrupted. You can install or repair the component on the local computer.

If the event originated on another computer, the display information had to be saved with the event.

The following information was included with the event: 

Windows
Not enough storage is available to process this command.


Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="NtServicePack" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="49166">4373</EventID>
    <Level>2</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2013-04-13T18:06:42.000Z" />
    <EventRecordID>262</EventRecordID>
    <Channel>Application</Channel>
    <Computer>DOMAIN CONTROLLED REMOVED</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>Windows</Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Data>Not enough storage is available to process this command.
</Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>

Best Answer

The error message is most likely bogus. Note that Windows Server 2008 already comes with Installer 4.0 so there should be no need ever for installing 3.1 anew from the redistributable package.

You should try re-registring the Windows Installer version which is already present on your system:

  1. check if the value of "ImagePath" in HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSIServer contains a valid reference to the msiexec.exe of your system (e.g. C:\Windows\System32\msiexec.exe /V)
  2. start the machine in safe mode and run msiexec /regserver as Administrator to re-register it in the system

(taken from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324516/en-us)