Sitecore Setup installation fails with error Failed to open XML file, system error:-2147024786

Question

When running Sitecore Setup the following error pops up:

Failed to open XML file, system error:-2147024786

I've tried going through the eventviewer but to no avail.

Not unimportant is that I used the installer but forgot to change my rootdirectory. As a consequence I had to uninstall (using the same installer Sitecore). Now however it "feels" as though there are some references or remnants left behind somewhere. Who has a clue or can give me an idea of what is going on?

Answer 1

You are correct, this issue is because the previous Sitecore instance, with the same name, has not been removed completely. You will need to manually complete the following tasks to remove the remnants and be able to run the installer, it has worked for me in past;

1. Stop the App Pool for the uninstalled site in IIS
2. Stop the Web Application for the uninstalled site in IIS
3. Perform an iisreset in command line
4. Delete the App Pool and Web app in IIS
5. You should now be able to completely delete the folder containing the Website and Data folder completely
6. If you are still having trouble deleting it check the folder's Security Permissions, the Users and their Permissions and Read Only checkbox. Ensure you have control to delete
7. Delete the relating entry in the hosts file
8. If you also installed Databases access them via MSSQL Management Studio, take all relating databases Offline then delete them.

This will effectively remove all remanants of the previous site. If what ever reason the issue still persists, Sitecore's own Sitecore Instance Manager has a delete option which will completely uproot the site for you. Try installing with SIM then.