I cannot install Adobe Reader 10.1.04 on my Windows Vista computer

Question

I've been unable to install Adobe Reader on my Windows Vista (SP1) 32-bit Toshiba laptop, and would really appreciate some help.
Here's the error message I get:
Error 1402. Could not open key: UNKNOWN\.api\AcroExch.Plugin\ShellNew. Verify that you have sufficient access to that key, or contact your support personnel.
Here's a brief history of what I've already tried:
# 1 - Downloaded AdbeRdr1014_en_US.exe as a stand alone file multiple times from different servers and sites.
# 2 - Uninstalled Adobe Reader 9.0
# 3 - Ran AdbeArCleaner.exe multiple times to remove ANY perious verions of Acrobat and/or Reader.
# 4 - Opened each of my 4 browsers, latest verions of IE, Opera, Firefox, and Chrome, searched for Plugins and/or Add Ons and removed ANY Adobe related apps except Flash.
# 5 - Opened the Control Panel, Programs, searched for and removed ANY versions of Acro Quick Reader or Quick Writer.
# 6 - Ran Norton Utilities Clean Registry multiple times.
# 7 - When trying to install Reader 10.1.04 I had PREVIOUSLY received this error message:
Error 1402.Could not open key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\AcroExch.Document\Shell\Open\Command. Verify that you have sufficient access to that key, or contact your support personnel.
However, after using Adobe Cleaning Tool, I no longer got this error.
# 8 - I also disabled my A-V Program during all installation attempts, Kaspersky PURE 2.0.
The reason that I wanted to update to Adobe Reader 10 was that Kaspersky did a vulnerability check which indicated:
"Adobe Reader/Acrobat Multiple Vulnerabilities"
See: http://www.securelist.com/en/advisories/47133/?function=advisories&VN=47133
Solution was to update to version 10.1.2 (or higher).
Now I can't open any .PDF files. I can't find the so-called Plugin which is causing the installation to stop. The installation of Reader 10.1.04 gets to around 96% complete, then fails and rolls back.
# 9 - Is there an easy fix, such as a tool that will autyomatically remove any relevant registry key, or apply the correct administrative attributes to the registry keys? If not, can you please talk me through this step by step. I've never been so stumped or frustrated performing a software upgrade, what I thought would be a simple task.
THANKS in advance for your help which is much appreciated.
Cheers,
Ecto

Answer 1

Hi Pat,
I feel like I'm falling deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole, operating in an area in which I am totally unfamiliar. I know a great deal about computers, but that still leaves me ignorant about many other things.
I had previously downloaded subinacl.msi in my research on Vista permissions and the inability to install Reader 10.1.04. In Vista, Windows Installer is a Service, not a program. I don't even understand what that means. I had previously tried changing the file extension of subinacl.msi to subinacl.exe but that didn't work. Then I looked for an EXE version of the file. No luck with that. Your pointing me to http://weblogs.asp.net/rternier/archive/2007/02/01/how-to-install-msi-files-on-vista.aspx was helpful up to a point. The post assumed I would know what to do with the bat file template:
"C:\Windows\System32\msiExec.exe -i  C:\Users\rternier\Documents\Downloads\tfpt.msi"
I changed it to the following:
C:\Windows\System32\msiExec.exe -i  C:\Users\aecolkercpa\Downloads\subinacl.msi
PLEASE NOTE: I store and run all downloaded installation files from the directory C:\Users\aecolkercpa\Downloads\
Usually, after installing a program from an installation file I will delete the installation file, unless there is a problem installing the application. In that case, I save the installation file until the problem is resolved.
Also, I am not sure if the first phrase in the BAT file I created is correct,
C:\Windows\System32\msiExec.exe -i
I called the file Install MSI.bat and ran as administrator.
I clicked on Accept the warranty terms, and the msi file began to be installed. Then I got a blue screen error BAD_POOL_HEADER with lots of text messages on it. I had to reboot. When I rebooted, Windows asked if I wanted to search for a solution online to the shut down, and gave me this report:
"Troubleshoot a problem with your antivirus software
A problem related to your antivirus software caused your computer to shut down unexpectedly to protect itself from data corruption or loss.
To try to solve this problem, follow these steps. One step might solve the problem, but if it doesn't, then go on to the next step.
Update your antivirus software
Missing antivirus software updates could be the cause of your computer's problem. To make sure your antivirus is up to date, follow these steps:
Click to open Microsoft Security Center.
Click Malware protection.
If your software needs to be updated, click Update now.
If Windows can detect your antivirus software, it will be listed under Virus protection.
If your antivirus software is not displayed in Windows Security Center, go to the downloads section of your antivirus software provider’s website. Find the update for your version of the software and your operating system, and then install it. For more information, check the Help for your antivirus software.
Most antivirus software updates are free, but some providers charge a small fee for the updates. If you're using an older version of the software, you might also have to pay to upgrade to a more recent version to continue to receive the updates.
Check for multiple antivirus programs running on your computer
Running two antivirus software programs on your computer at the same time is not recommended because the two programs can interfere with each other. Even if you don't think your computer could be running two antivirus programs, antivirus software can sometimes come bundled with your computer and it might be running without your knowledge. To check if two antivirus programs are running, follow these steps:
Click the Start button , right-click Computer, and then click Manage.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
In the left pane, double-click Services and Applications, and then click Services.
Look at the list of services under the Name column. If you find two antivirus programs, right-click each service associated with one of the programs, and then click Stop. Note that there may be multiple services running for one antivirus program.
Contact the antivirus manufacturer
If you've completed the previous steps, we recommend you contact the antivirus manufacturer directly for additional support."
Since I was unsure how to parse the BAT file, it probably contained errors, which may be the reason behind the blue screen crash. Should I have moved the bat file and the subinacl.msi file to the Windows/System32 directory before running it? To a different location than the download directory?
At this point I'm rather burned out. Perhaps 50+ hours of my time have gone into trying to install a simple program, Adobe Reader 10.1.04. I would love to succeed, but I think my lack of comprehension is making it even more difficult than it might otherwise be. Instead, I'm becoming more and more confused and frustrated by all these detours and additional issues.
Is it possible Pat to arrange for you to have remote login access to my machine using Go to My PC or some other application, so that you can hands on accomplish in perhaps 5 minutes, what might take me 5 more weeks (or months) to get done?
I feel we are close to solving this puzzle, but it keeps on slipping away.
Please let me know your thoughts, and thanks as always for your help.
Cheers,
Joel
Message was edited by: EctoSD