Andrew Fraser DBA

Fix for Oracle XE 1608: unable to create InstallDriver instance, return code -2147221164

I got this annoying error when attempting to install Oracle XE:

1608: unable to create InstallDriver instance, return code -2147221164

The fix for this on my PC was:

• Identify your TEMP folder – choose start -> run -> type “cmd”, then type “set temp” in the command window.
• Navigate to this folder in windows. It may well be a hidden folder , so  select tools  -> folder options -> view -> show hidden files and folders.
• Attempt to install OracleXE again – but this time leave the “1608: unable to create InstallDriver instance, return code -2147221164” error dialog box visible, do not close it by clicking ok. Closing the dialog box will delete the TEMP files which we need for the next step.
• A new folder will have been created under the TEMP folder (press F5 to refresh if necessary). Copy this new folder and all its files to a new location.
• Now it is safe to close the “1608: unable to create InstallDriver instance, return code -2147221164” error dialog box by clicking ok.
• Locate file ISScript11.Msi in the newly copied folder.
• Right click on file ISScript11.Msi and select “Uninstall”
• Right click on file ISScript11.Msi and select “Install”
• Now attempt to install OracleXE again – for me it now ran through to completion.