.NET Framework 3.5 wont install on VISTA 32bit

Question

Running VISTA 32bit.

I am trying to install c# Visual Express 2008 - but it requires .NET 3.5. One of the prerequisites during the install is .NET 3.5 ... it attempts to install it but fails, with no real error message.

So I downloaded .NET 3.5 standalone from MS website and tried that.Again it fails with the error

[10/17/08,23:17:07] WapUI: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0SP1 (CBS) is not installed. [10/17/08,23:50:55] Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0SP1 (CBS): [2] Error: Installation failed for component Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0SP1 (CBS). MSI returned error code 34

I currently have c# Express edition 2005 installed. But everything I read says that I can have these two applications installed together. I believe that 2005 runs Framework 2.0. 2005 express edition works fine. - its just the 2008 edition im having problems installed the .NET 3.5 with ....

any ideas ? thanks

Answer 1

.NET Framework 3.0 is a component that is released together with Windows Vista. In order to get SP1 of .NET Framework 3.0, you have to install Windows Vista SP1. The stand-alone SP1 installer for .NET Framework 3.0 is meant for operating systems that do not have it natively.

Answer 2

It's a little odd that it won't automatically install .NET 3.0 and SP1 for you. It appears that the error is that it isn't able to install .NET 3.0 (a pre-requisite for 3.5). Perhaps you could try doing it manually? (Also, ensure that you don't have pre-release versions installed.)

Install .NET 3.0 using the link below.

.NET 3.0 Redistributable Package

Then, follow up with .NET 3.0 SP1 using the link below.

.Net 3.0 Service Pack 1

After that, try running the installation, again. If it still fails, you could try installing .NET 3.5 SP1 manually, as well.

.NET 3.5 Redistributable Package

.NET 3.5 Service Pack 1