windows live

KB article - solution

Problem SYMPTOMS

When you try to install Messenger, you receive the following error message:

Error creating process <temp_file_location> \bootstrap.exe /MSN

CAUSE

?	The Messenger installation package was not downloaded successfully.
?	The contents of the Messenger installation package were not extracted correctly.

Solution

Download and install Messenger:

1.	Create the folder C:\MessengerSetup. Note Make sure that you create the “C:\MessengerSetup” folder on drive C. Additionally, note that C:\ is not part of the folder name. It is the drive path. If this folder already exists, create a new folder with a different name, and then move the files in C:\MessengerSetup to the new folder.
2.	To install Messenger, follow these steps: a. Go to http://get.live.com/messenger/overview b. Click Get it free or Download Now. c. Click Save in the File Download dialog to download the Messenger setup file and save it to C:\Messengersetup folder.
3.	Click Start, click Run, type cmd , and then click OK. Note On Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows Millennium Edition, you must instead type command .
4.	At the command prompt, type cd C:\MessengerSetup , and then press ENTER.
5.	Type the following command to extract the Messenger files from the package for your operating system, and then press ENTER: ? For Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows Millennium Edition Install_MSN_Messenger_9x /c /t:C:\Messengersetup ? For Microsoft Windows 2000 Install_MSN_Messenger_NT /c /t:C:\Messengersetup ? For Microsoft Windows XP and MSN Messenger Install_MSN_Messenger_dl /c /t:C:\Messengersetup ? For Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Live Messenger Install_Messenger /c /t:C:\Messengersetup
6.	At the command prompt, type exit to close the Command Prompt window.
7.	Microsoft Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, and Windows 2000 only: Install the latest version of the Microsoft Windows Installer. Note For Microsoft Windows XP, skip steps 8, 9, and 10.
8.	Determine the version of the installer that is on your computer. a. Click Start, click Run, type cmd and then click OK. Note On Windows 98-based computers, you must type command . b. At the command prompt, type msiexec , and then press ENTER. c. View the installer version number that appears. d. Press OK to close the window. e. Type exit to close the Command Prompt window.
9.	If the installer version is 2.0 or earlier, upgrade the installer by using the following instructions for your operating system. ? Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows Millennium Edition Visit http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=CEBBACD8-C094-4255-B702-DE3BB768148F#filelist , and then click InstMsiA.exe at the bottom of the Web page to start the installation. ? Microsoft Windows 2000 Visit http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=4B6140F9-2D36-4977-8FA1-6F8A0F5DCA8F , and then click InstMsiW.exe at the bottom of the Web page to start the installation.
10.	Right-click Start, and then click Explore.
11.	Open the C:\MessengerSetup folder.
12.	On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
13.	Click the View tab.
14.	Make sure that the Show Hidden files and Folders check box is selected and that the Hide Extensions for known file types check box is not selected.
15.	Click OK.
16.	Double-click Msnmsgs.msi to install Messenger.

Please also see this thread and this thread which have similar issue.

Hope that helps!