"Error 1603: A fatal error occurred during installation" on HP printers

Solution from HP:

Disable Windows Update and startup services and reinstall the HP software

Windows Update and startup services might interfere with the HP software installation. Follow these steps to download the latest HP software to your computer, turn off startup services, and then reinstall the software.


Step one: Download the installation files to the computer

Follow these steps to download the most recent software from the HP Web site. Even if you were installing using the software CD, HP recommends that you follow these steps to obtain the latest version. Do not install the software yet (download only). You will be prompted to do so later in this document.

1. Open a new window to browse to the Select Software and Drivers page:
   1. Right-click this link, Select Software and Drivers , and then click Open in New Window .
   2. If prompted, type your product number. You might also need to click it in a list of similar products.
   3. Click your operating system.
      The Select software and drivers page opens.
2. In the Driver section, review the list of available driver downloads, and then click the driver that meets your needs.
   • Select the full feature software and driver for a full installation (recommended).
   • Select the basic driver for a customized installation.
3. Click Download only , and then click Save .
4. Click Computer in the left pane under Folders, and then click Local Disk (C:) in the right pane. A list of the contents on the computer hard drive displays.
5. Right-click a blank area in the right pane, and then click New Folder .
6. Name the new folder hpdisk .
7. After naming the folder, click hpdisk to select it as the destination for the installation files that you are downloading, and then click Save . The downloaded files save in the hpdisk folder.

Step two: Temporarily turn off Windows Updates

1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Windows icon ( ), and then click Control Panel . The Windows Control Panel opens.
2. In Control Panel, click Security ( ).
3. Click Windows Update ( ).
4. Click Change setting in the left pane.
5. Select Never check for updates , and then click OK .

Step three: Use MSCONFIG to turn off startup services

1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Windows icon ( ).
2. In the Start Search box, type msconfig , and then press Enter .
   If the User Account Control window opens with the message 'Windows needs your permission to continue ,' click Continue to close the window.
3. In the System Configuration window, click the Startup tab, and then click Disable All .
4. Click the Services tab, click the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox, and then click Disable All .
5. Click Apply , and then click OK .
6. When prompted to restart the computer, click Restart .

Step four: Unregister and reregister Microsoft Windows Installer

1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Windows icon ( ), type msiexec /unregister in the Start Search box, and then press Enter .
2. On the Windows taskbar, click the Windows icon ( ), type msiexec /regserver in the Start Search box, and then press Enter .

Step five: Reinstall the software

Follow these steps to install the software you downloaded earlier in this document.

1. On the Windows taskbar, right-click the Windows icon ( ), and then click Explore . Windows Explorer opens in a new window.
2. Find and click C:\ in the left pane, and then double-click hpdisk , in the right pane.
3. Double-click the HP icon. The HP installer starts.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
5. Continue to the next steps to reinstate the services you previously turned off.

Step six: Turn on Windows Update

1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Windows icon ( ), and then click Control Panel .
2. In Control Panel, click Security ( ).
3. Click Windows Update ( ).
4. Click Change setting in the left pane.
5. Select Always check for updates , and then click OK .

Step seven: Use MSCONFIG to turn on startup services

1. Click the Windows icon ( ) on the Windows taskbar, type msconfig , and then click OK . The System Configuration window opens.
2. Click the General tab, and then click Selective Startup .
3. If a checkmark displays next to Load Startup Items , click to clear it.
4. Click the Services tab, and then click to add a checkmark next to Hide All Microsoft Services .
5. Click Enable All to add check boxes next to all items on the list.
6. Click the Startup tab, and then make sure that every HP item on the list is selected.
7. Make sure that all the settings on the General and tab match the initial settings noted in 'Step two: Use MSCONFIG to turn off the startup services.'
8. Click Apply , click Close , and then click Restart .