Im having a problem installing Comodo Internet Security. I downloaded the file (cispremium_installer_6100_08) from the comodo webpage today. When i run the installer, after asking me to choose the language, the following error appears: “Failed to initialize installer. Invalid data format.”
I have googled the problem and also browsed your forum, i also had quick chats with the tech support through GeekBuddy. Nothing i tried worked so far.
I dont have an earlier version of any Comodo product on my PC. I also deleted all files from my previous Antivirus software, including registry and all. I tried to follow all the suggested steps here in the forum and have the log files attached. the autoruns.arn file i did not send via mail yet since the post saying so is more than 4 years old and i was not sure if thats all still valid.
I hope somebody can help or suggest further steps. If you need any additional information, please just ask.
thanks a lot in advance.
I went through all the steps of section A and section B. But the problem still persists sadly. So i would like to make use of the advice given in section C and ask in this forum again whether there are any additional suggestions for the problem. Any help would be appreciated!
Im still encountering the same problem. Now im contemplating installing an earlier version of CIS. Anybody think that might help? Or will i just have to go through all the cleaning process again in the end? Any suggestions are welcome. thanks.
I am bit puzzled by the name of the installer that you downloaded from the Comodo webpage. Can you download the installer as linked in the release topic and see what happens when you use that one?
The file that I originally downloaded came from the link on this page Best Internet Security Software 2022 | Antivirus Total Security
I tried the link you provided now and downloaded the cispremium_installer.exe but it seems to be the same file with a different name (same exact file size). Sadly it also produces the same error message right after i choose the language for the installation. Any idea to what the above mentioned error message could point to? Any help or suggestions are highly appreciated!
Sometimes it can be helpful to start the actual CIS installer. The installation package is an installer with several installers in it.
The CIS installer can be found in the ProgramData folder in two places (you can use either one; they are identical):
c:\ProgramData\Comodo\Installer
c:\ProgramData\Comodo Downloader\cis\download\installs\xml_binaries\cis
ProgramData is hidden by default. Follow these instructions on how to make them visible.
thank you for the suggestion.
I’m afraid the folders/files you mentioned don’t exist on my PC. Under ProgramData (and i really looked in the hidden ProgramData folder ;)) I have only one Comodo folder with two sub-folders:
C:/ProgramData/Comodo/CisDumps
C:/ProgramData/Comodo/Ips4
CisDumps is empty and the Ips4 folder has again two sub-folders:Ips-ca and temp. But nowhere is an .exe file. Could it be that the installer did not reach the point where it would create the folders you mentioned? Really don’t know what the problem could be or what to do. Is there a way to place the installers you mentioned in the ProgramData folder, to import them somehow? Do you think I should try installing an older version and then maybe update that?
I appreciate your suggestions and hope you have some more. thank you.
No luck I’m afraid. Downloaded CIS 7.0.317799 and started to install it - but the same error message appears. all identical. does the log help in any way?
thanks
I see in the logs that it cannot open the following keys:
‘SOFTWARE\COMODO\CIS\Cam’
‘SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\CmdAgent\CisConfigs’
‘SYSTEM\Software\COMODO\Firewall Pro\Configurations’
‘SOFTWARE\COMODO\CIS\VolatileData’
‘SYSTEM\Software\COMODO\Firewall Pro\VolatileData’
Can you see if these keys already exist. If they do you can try to take ownership of them using a take ownership procedure and then delete them. Then try installing again.
so basically the keys you mentioned don’t exist on my PC. At least as far as I can see and I’m not really familiar with the registry.
Under SOFTWARE there is no COMODO folder at all.
‘SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\CmdAgent’ exists but there is no CisConfigs key as far as i can tell. And i should not delete the whole CmdAgent folder, right?
'SYSTEM\Software\COMODO\Firewall Pro' does exist but it only has the one sub-folder ‘Configurations’. So no VolatileData folder or entry.
As I mentioned, I’m not fluent in registry, but the ‘Configurations’ folder seems to be empty too. should i get rid of that folder though? Just not quite sure what to do to be honest.
By the way, this is all in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and i used the command ‘regedit’ to look for all of this. Just to make sure i did not mess things up. Anyway, I’d appreciate some more comments or suggestions. Still no luck in installing CIS.
When you are not very experienced when working with the registry start with making a system restore point. That way you can always return to the old state.
You can delete the CmdAgent folder.
'SYSTEM\Software\COMODO\Firewall Pro\' does exist but it only has the one sub-folder 'Configurations'. So no VolatileData folder or entry.
Please delete the Firewall Pro folder.
As I mentioned, I'm not fluent in registry, but the 'Configurations' folder seems to be empty too. should i get rid of that folder though? Just not quite sure what to do to be honest.
By the way, this is all in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and i used the command 'regedit' to look for all of this. Just to make sure i did not mess things up. Anyway, I'd appreciate some more comments or suggestions. Still no luck in installing CIS.
Thanks.
When you are not very experienced when working with the registry start with making a system restore point. That way you can always undo changes with system restore.
Before I forget can you try running the clean up tool in Safe Mode?
Hi,
So I did as you suggested. Started with a restore point, then went into safe mode and ran the software you linked. there i ran step 1 and 2. then i restarted and went into the registry and removed CmdAgent and the Firewall Pro folders after taking ownership. restarted the PC again and ran the latest CIS installer. No changes at all I’m afraid. Still receiving the same error message.
Anything else i could do? Appreciate all your suggestions!
Thanks
thanks for trying anyway! anybody else have any suggestions?
what does the error message actually point to? invalid data format - which data format, how is it invalid?
thanks so far, EricJH.